Tuesday, March 2, 2010

How To - Refashioned Pants to Toddler Skirt + Vest

Happy Tuesday! To celebrate this very spring-like-but-not-spring day, instead of going outside and enjoying the fresh air (I know! Bad mommy!) I put together a very photo heavy photo tutorial. If you remember the denim skirt refashioning I did last week...I think it was last week...I said that I might be able to rig up a tutorial, well I managed to photograph the same process this weekend. The skirt is not denim and the pleats are not plaid but it photographed nicely and I am ridiculously proud of my efforts. Check it out!

Wednesday


It is made from a pair of stretch corduroy pants that were from Wednesday's big booty cloth diaper days, some flannel remnants and a second pair of cords that I had originally hacked for the project and cut too short off the hop. But, aside from a wonky shoulder seam in the vest, I have to say I have outdone myself. I have never attempted anything like this and with much patience it turned out awesome. AWESOME! I buttonholed for the first time, sewed on flat pockets for the time, MADE A VEST for the first time, made and attached bows for the first time. I learned so many thing making this vest. Did I mention it was awesome? Okay, on to the construction instructions!

Skirt Materials:


Pair of old pants
Fabric for pleating (3x the circumference of cut off pants + 6 inches just in case)
Chosen embellishments (if any)

Vest materials:
Pattern (I used this one from BurdaStyle.com it was free and had easy to follow directions)
Fabric for outer and lining, can be the same.
Buttons x 3
Fabric for pockets (I used pant legs which I show you how to do below.)
Embellishments of choice

Aquire pants.

Cut.

Pin.

Edge stitch.


Super quick video on how to make pleats.
For those who know how, this is where you would make them.


Flip and pin.

Pin.

Turning out to re-pin.

Sew your little heart out.

Match up your pleats ends.

Voila!


I made the bows late last night so I did not take photos. They were super simple though. With right sides together sew a rectangle measuring twice the length you want your bow to be. Leave an inch to turn out. Turn out and top stitch. To make bow center fold a piece of fabric in half, open and fold edges into the center and fold again. Stitch down middle if small, sides if wide. Sew right side ends together and then turn right side out. Pull rectangle through the loop you just made and voila! You have a neat little bow.

Cut bottom.
Cut bottom off one pant leg. Then cut side seams off.
Seperate.
Now you have two pieces of fabric with one finished side each.

Fold & Pin.
Turn over and fold to shape your pocket, I have given you an example but whatever works for you is fine. Pin and press.


I won't go into detail on the vest construction because it is done so well with the pattern. Just REMEMBER to sew these onto the front of your vest before you sew the front to the lining. I sewed my bow on after it was all done, a few hand stitches at the center and in each corner to keep it laying flat.

Skirt and Vest Collage


The entire affair was inspired by the pink cords I cut too short and Easter. The plan was to make a pretty little Easter outfit. I think I succeeded. It is a bit on the warm side being made of flannel, but 'round these parts Spring does not always mean warmth. And doesn't it look great with the pink rubber cowgirl boots?!

If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact me! Until next time, happy sewing!

Linking to...

Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
Make it & Wear it @ The Train To Crazy
Hand Me Down Rehab @ Helping Little Hands
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
Thursdays Treasures @ Treasures For Tots
Sharing Ideas Wednesday @ The Trendy Treehouse
Hand Me Down rehab @ Helping Little Hands

24 comments:

Jamee said...

Very cute- love the colors!!

Anne said...

Brilliant! I love that you can use pants that are slightly too small, too.

I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-toddler-skirt-and-vest-from-outgrown-pants/2010/03/02/
(link will go live at 7:45pm CST)

--Anne

Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy} said...

Super cute outfit! What a great way to use up outgrown pants :) We've got tons of those around here, I may just have to try this out *grin*.

Here's the link to the Alice swap flickr group. Photos are slowly starting to trickle in and it's fun to see what others made :) Enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1350708@N22/

Donna said...

Oh My GOSH!!! Why am I saying that every time I see your post. You are just so talented Melissa. That is superbly darling!!

I wanted to ask you if you could submit something for my Show & Tell for Friday morning? Your stuff is so darling. I will 'steal' something from your blog but I'd rather you pick. (Just kidding..tee..hee!)

By the way, you have got to go over to ruffles and stuff and enter their contest. All you have to do is submit something with ruffles. I can't wait to send my entry! You can enter five things.

Have a great day. PS I DID go outside and it was balmy and sunny--hurrah for Houston!

Donna said...

Oh My GOSH!!! Why am I saying that every time I see your post. You are just so talented Melissa. That is superbly darling!!

I wanted to ask you if you could submit something for my Show & Tell for Friday morning? Your stuff is so darling. I will 'steal' something from your blog but I'd rather you pick. (Just kidding..tee..hee!)

By the way, you have got to go over to ruffles and stuff and enter their contest. All you have to do is submit something with ruffles. I can't wait to send my entry! You can enter five things.

Have a great day. PS I DID go outside and it was balmy and sunny--hurrah for Houston!

Tara said...

This is adorable. Thanks for linking up and sharing on our Projects Submissions. I love this idea for the mag. I will be in contact. Thanks again.

Tara @ Trendy Treehouse

Amy @ Positively Splendid said...

This is absolutely darling!! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

What a cute little coordinating outfit!! Thanks for linking up at Make it Wear it!
Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com

De Leon Signs said...

How cute is this! What a wonderful job you did! I absolutely LOVE this!

Prairiemaid said...

This is adorable!!! I wonder if I could sew this for my granddaughters?

I love the colors!

The Sewing Dork said...

She's a lucky girl getting all that couture! It looks great.

Nicole Bergman said...

How cool is that! Thanks for the tutorial. I love crafts that take something old and make it brand new again.

Gina Sisco said...

Fantastic skirt. This winter has beeen brutal on the budget, always glad to have ways to cut corners!!!

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

This is way too cute! I want it for my daughter!!! I featured this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

Lynette said...

i love it!!!!

Angie@treasures for tots said...

Thank you for sharing your awesome project at Thursday’s Treasures last week! Come share your crafty projects in this week’s Thursday’s Treasures too!
http://treasuresfortots.blogspot.com/2010/03/thursdays-treasures-week-13.html

Polly @ Pieces by Polly said...

This is awesome! I've been remaking some clothes for my kids and it's so addicting!

happybirdycake.blogspot.com said...

love love love this!!!! you are brilliant!!!! i am scared... but i totally want to try this project!! great instructions and loving your video how-to's ! great job melissa!!

Katie Lewis said...

This turned out so cute!

Maggie said...

Adorable - I love your tutorial!

Polly @ Pieces by Polly said...

I'll be linking to this in my Hand-Me-Down REHAB post that will be up on my blog tomorrow. www.helpinglittlehands.blogspot.com

Thanks for linking up!

Anji* said...

Such a cute outfit, I love your clothing repurpose projects!

Sarah said...

What an excellent idea and what a great blog! I am your newest follower!

DIY Crush Blog said...

Awesome tutorial! I posted it on my blog!! http://whimsycoutureboutique.blogspot.com/2011/01/tutorial-for-recycling-pants-into.html