Polka Dot Skirt Makeover into 1950s 2 Piece

I've already mentioned that I've been searching for elastic waist skirts lately, and began to re-appreciate tiered skirts when I found the 1940s style Mexican skirt. Lately, still thinking along those lines, I pulled a skirt out of my closet and looked at it closely - I've had it for years and rarely wear it because it's just too long for practical everyday wear. I step on it. Yet it is one of my few skirts with an elastic waist and is a lovely navy blue and white polka dot rayon fabric. Surely I could do something with that!

 

Because of its style, I immediately thought "1950s" and tried it on over my crinoline.

Some promise, but way too long. It looks more like a Civil War era skirt at this point.

 

Trimming it shorter was the obvious answer, so I pinned it up to see how it would look. I decided 6 inches needed to come off.

 

But wouldn't that look strange to have just a 6 inch piece on the bottom when the other tiers are much wider? 

The answer presented itself in the form of rickrack, which if I put a strand on each seam and one in the center of the center tier, would break it up fairly evenly and be very 1950s appropriate. More pinning ensued...

 

I measured the bottom tier and marked with tailor's chalk where the 6 inch line was (it took forever to go around that skirt) and then cut, serged, and top-stitched a narrow hem. Thankfully it was a straight edge so the hem didn't pucker for me.

It looks better already!

 

The rickrack took a while as well,  but it was simply top stitching. It just took 3 trips around the width of the skirt.

There! Already I have a much cuter and more wearable vintage style skirt, and it took just a short time to alter, compared to making a new one. No more wasting time in my closet, unworn.

 

(I think I've already mentioned that I love polka dots!)

 

But there was more. With the wide strip cut from the skirt's hem, I had some polka dot fabric on hand. I wanted a blouse that I could use the polka dots as a neck tie and narrow sleeve bands (both something that could be cut from the width I had to work with) and found exactly what I needed in view 3 of this pattern. I had made another view of it previously, so I knew it was comfortable.

 

I picked up some white linen from my stash and cut it out, making it a tad larger so it would fit me, but otherwise not changing it. It's meant to be worn tucked in so if it's a little too big later on it shouldn't be noticeable.

The only change I made was just to do plain sleeve bands instead of overlapping and buttoning them.

There's always a strange moment before sewing the side seams when a raglan sleeved blouse looks so confusing!

 

The rayon and linen behaved and pressed beautifully, the pattern was easy yet fun, and everything went together without a hitch. Also it fits, at least for now.

 

I used some perfectly matching buttons from my stash, and had exactly enough left of the skirt band after cutting out the blouse accents to make myself a nice long sash that can be worn several ways. No wasted scraps here, and it ties the look together perfectly, though a white belt would also look nice. The sash and elastic waist means it's adjustable for maternity wear as needed.

 

I haven't been able to get pictures of me wearing it yet - hopefully soon! But I'd call it a definite success as a makeover. Not only do I have a skirt I'll actually wear now, but I have a cute blouse to wear as separates (taking less time than making a whole new dress) - and worn together a lovely 2 piece set! All from the stash, and without me having to buy most of the fabric or make the skirt. I can see myself actually hunting in thrift stores for too long skirts now!

Comments

[Irene]

I also adore polka dots! What a cute outfit , I especially love the blouse. It's also the perfect outfit to wear at a ho-down! Enjoy wearing it. I hate button work and you did a beautiful job with yours. What patience! 😉
Happy Summer! 🌺
Irene

[Kristen Stoltzfus Clay]

Thanks, Irene! :-) Yes, it has that sort of country-western look to it too! I can see it will be versatile, depending on how it is accessorized.

I've found that buttons aren't so bad when you have a handy one-step buttonhole foot, like the one that came with my sewing machine! I still alternate between preferring buttons or zippers best, but buttons are certainly a lot more pleasant to do now!

[Sarah - Sew Characteristically You]

I have bought a few skirts that were too large and altered them down to size. One I needed to take the waist in and another I took the waist in from being an elastic waist to having a zipper closure, and made the waistband with the fabric I cut off to shorten it.

I love being able to sew so that I can thrift and find pieces that are not in my size, but still do something with them. Some of the pieces have a nice pattern, but won't fit without alteration.

Sarah

[Dee]

This looks like a square dance outfit and 1950s style too. I love this style!

What an awesome idea using rick-rack as an optical illusion that you have 4 even tiers!!! And, using the scraps as a trim on the blouse. I have a tired skirt I wanted to shorten but didn't want to pull it apart and shorten all the tiers. Now, I know what to do. LOL. Thanks for the great idea.

Lovely outfit :)

Best wishes, Dee

[Kristen Stoltzfus Clay]

Thanks, Dee! I'm glad I solved your problem! :-)