My latest mend and make is a skirt from a dress. I spotted the dress in a charity shop and loved the fabric, but the top of the dress was a bit big and the length as it sat as a dress too short. However it was only 99p – “surely I can make that into a skirt” I thought.
So I took it to Vanessa in her shop on Ware High Street where she has open workshops on Fridays https://www.vintagebyvanessa.co.uk/the-vintage-craft-room/ and asked for advice as the best way to make into a skirt. I can sew, mend and follow simple patterns, but Vanessa and Shirley have lots of invaluable dressmaking and design experience. I took my ‘old pair of curtains’ skirt (see Top 10 makes) there to finish as I just needed that reassurance that I was doing it right. It turned out great and this seemed a much simpler task.
I had thought I would need to make some sort of waistband or put in some interfacing. But Vanessa just suggested stitching ribbon on the inside and making a neat top. She also helped me fit the skirt – the darts needed taking in a little.
This is how the skirt has turned out
I’m pretty pleased with it. Simple summer beach skirt.
But I must confess it cost £8.49 as Vanessa charges £5/hr to use her workshop and have advice. Still I really enjoyed the process, learned some new skills and I like supporting a local business invested in the community too.