Four years ago I bought this skirt at a Worth trunk show. Worth is one of my favorite clothing lines, but the clothes are expensive and I consider my Worth purchases to be very special.
At the show I tried on a sample several sizes larger than what I usually wear. After the Worth representative carefully adjusted the skirt to my body with clothespins, I pictured myself wearing this beautiful silk skirt everywhere and bought it.
I n e v e r w o r e t h i s s k i r t.
When the skirt arrived at my home I eagerly tried it on, but it was so tight through the hips that the zipper wouldn’t budge.
I couldn’t handle this disappointment and put the skirt in the back of my closet where it’s been ever since.
Embarrassed? Definitely.
Lazy? ……………
Last week I decided to do something about this big waste of money and got out my seam ripper. I started releasing seams in the lining and decided I better try it on before proceeding.
The skirt fit perfectly
manufacturer’s error
t h e l i n i n g h a d b e e n s e w n i n c o r r e c t l y.
What to do…
Even though this beautiful long skirt fit me the way I imagined it when I tried on the sample years ago, it didn’t stand a chance after making me so miserable all this time.
I used this old New Look Pattern as my guide.
I really wanted a lined skirt but didn’t want to disturb the pretty border, so I lined two of the panels and left the front panel unlined. This worked well giving the skirt enough weight to hang properly and feel substantial.
Remaking the Worth skirt was a positive move. I hardly ever wear long skirts these days and the new style is not only more versatile but will now be a great transitional piece of clothing.
It was definitely W O R T H remaking!
Great job! I do love that skirt and the paisley design.
Thank you, Carol. I plan to debut it tomorrow – keep your fingers crossed!
Oooh, I love it. Beautiful fabric. Definite w o r t h the effort!
Thanks I’ll wear it tomorrow and give it a test run!
Repurposing is so………worthwhile.
Thanks for the comment, Joanne. I love to repurpose, remake and refashion! There is something so wonderful about bringing the fabric, sentiment and financial investment to a special level that wasn’t there with the initial purchase. I have a friend who is having her wedding dress made into a Christening gown! I feel so strongly about giving new life to old clothes, that I just started contributing to the Refashionista blog.
It is beautiful! I love it and good for you to have the courage to cut into it!
Thank you, Nicole. After I cut the French silk I had been hanging on to for 17 years, I lost my fear! I’m going to enjoy the “new” skirt
Good for you, the remake looks great, the fabric is really beautiful and definitely deserves to see the outside of your closet.
Thanks for the comment, Allison – I’m happy to finally be wearing the skirt!
I love the one of a kind-ness of your repurposing. Gorgeous work, but that’s what you do!
Many thanks! Yesterday Judy Roberson commented that ” Sewing just opens up a brand new wardrobe world ” and that is SOOOOO true!
This turned out so beautiful!!!!
Thank you so much!
I absolutely love all of your mittens! I love your blog too and just became a follower. Your refashioning is very creative!
Great re-do!! I found your blog yesterday after seeing your posts on Pinterest. You have inspired me to get sewing again and possible re-make several things in my closet! Thank you!!
Thanks for writing, Caroline! I am so happy to be sewing again. You left a comment asking about the ruffled blouse pattern. The top does not have a zipper, but I’m thinking about putting a short one in the next time I make it. It’s not necessary but I think it would make for a better blouse.
I really love Paisley, it looks great. How many clothing items have you sewn on this challenge? Is it less than you would have bought? I am hovering over joining you and seeing if I can manage with no purchased clothes for a year. I need a challenge and this one could be it.
Hi Heather,
Thanks for your comments! I’ve made or remade approximate 30 garments since August 31. I think it’s more than I would have normally bought in 5 1/2 months. The nice thing is – instead of searching for something to wear and coming up short, I’m always working on what I want to be wearing. Saving money is wonderful too.
Please join me on this challenge – I think February would be a great time to start!
What a lovely lovely lovely skirt and a great save.
Good to hear from you, Valerie and many thanks for your comment!
Yep, you are on your game! Love this!
Thanks, Beth! I wore it yesterday and it’s definitely a keeper!
I know I have stories of beautiful things put away as they don’t quite turn out how we remember them in the store. Buyers remorse or manufacturer muck up, the result is the same. How lovely you found something you loved and made it work, particularly with such lovely fabric.
Thank you so much! While I have lots of clothes that were never worn like I hoped they would be, I also have clothes that I loved, wore and just can’t part with even though they are no longer stylish! I’m hoping to remake a few more things soon.
I have to say that I love your version much more than the original. It’s beautiful.
Ah thanks
This reminds me of when I was in design school when the girl next to me was bemoaning the fact that jackets just never seem to come with real pockets anymore. The joy when I pointed out they sew them shut to make them have better hanger appeal and that you were supposed to remove the basting stitches. After unpicking them she pranced around the room declaring that she had pockets! I am surprised though for a garment of that quality that an error like that could get past QC. Guess it just proves price does not necessarily equal quality. I like the remake better because it was put together thoughtfully unlike the original.
Hi Natasha! The quality of the skirt is very high end minus the stitching glitch but I agree with you in that it would pass QC. I really like the style of the wrap better than the original regardless! Many thanks for writing.