50s Skirt Restyle, or, back from the dead!

Readers – I feel like I owe you a big apology. You may or may not remember that last August (yes, nearly 6 months ago) I put up a vote on the blog to decide what to do with this too-small handmade 1950s gathered skirt.

I offered four pattern options and after counting comments as well as pestering some of my friends the winner was option 4 – Simplicity 2512 (I realize I mistyped the pattern number in the previous post).

Ok, so now I had a design, which I had made before so I thought it would be pretty easy. But when I began to lay out the patten pieces I noticed problems. I had to place the paper around the existing pockets and side seams. I also noticed several large, yellow patches from age stains that needed to be avoided, too (yes, I prewashed it). And to top it off nearly all of the pretty green sequins had broken, lost their color or were completely missing. Those sequins were the whole reason I was drawn to the fabric at the start!

Disappointed, this skirt, now cut in pieces, sat around in my craft room looking sad and dejected for 6 months. I know, I know, I’m terrible!

So earlier this month I got off my bum and bought a pack of sequins and tiny gold beads and replaced EVERY. SINGLE. SEQUIN. UGH!

Only then did I assemble the skirt which was a breeze compared to sequin sewing.

I added some piping to the hem and the waist just for a little extra pop and I lined the whole skirt with some nude rayon bemberg because the white flowers were pretty see-through.

Now the skirt is much more wearable (because it fits!) and I can finally tell everyone that I finished this darn thing and why it took me so long! Talk about getting in over your head!

Thanks to everyone who voted on a pattern, I appreciate the participation. And I’m very sorry I had to make you wait for so long to see it now.