I don’t sew very often, so when I do it’s surely worthy of a blog post 😉 .
Last Winter I picked up a couple of remnants of fabric from Spotlight for only a couple of dollars. I have no idea what sort of material the black stuff is; except to say that it’s a knit fabric (the only sort I sew after doing a Knitwit course), in a soft leather-look.
But as often happens, time got away and the fabric languished in the bottom of my sewing box … until about a month ago.
It seems the fashion gods are on my side – leather is well and truly IN again this year, if not an even bigger fashion trend!
I was inspired, and finally got my sewing machine out.
How I Made my Leather Look Skirt
I didn’t use a pattern – sadly I lost all my Knitwit patterns years ago – so I simply drafted my own. I copied the cut of the leopard print skirt which always scores me lots of compliments when I wear it.
I Must Confess: it’s not perfect. I made the mistake of cutting too close to the selvedge – but it wasn’t until I’d sewn the skirt and tried it on that I realised. The selvedge doesn’t have the leather look sheen and it stood out like a neon sign – dammit!
Fortunately knit fabric is very forgiving so I simply took the seam in and voila, problem solved 🙂 .
I’m quite happy with the results – a very stylish skirt for only a couple of bucks and an hour or two of my time.
What do you think of my latest little sewing project – and what was the last thing you made?!
Joining up with My Home Truths for the “I Must Confess” linky.
Sue says
Janet – it looks lovely. Well done.
Mystery Case says
I love your style! I’ve attempted sewing a handful of times over the years. First in school, where I basically needed a stunt double to finish a simple mini skirt so I would pass the subject. It almost fell apart while modeling my work.
My last attempt was a double layered dress where I kept sewing the layers together wrong at the neck. To fix my mistake I would simply cut the material and start again. It was a rather plunging neckline once finished and six sizes too small. Rather stressful and frustrating.
Hubby has threatened to divorce me if I ever sew again and the sewing machine I won is hidden in a high cupboard where I would need to borrow a ladder to reach. True story.
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Clever you, Janet! Sewing is definitely one thing that I have absolutely no hope of mastering. Your skirt looks fabulous!
Rae Hilhorst says
You clever woman, used to sew many moons ago, time poor now. Skirt looks fab and so do you x
ann says
Wow Janet that looks awesome.
I really wish I could sew!! I can’t even sew a button on!!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
Well done! My mum used to sew a lot of knitwit patterns but sadly, her sewing gene completely bypassed me. I would love to have the patience and the talent to sew – go you for giving it a go Janet – looking good!
Lydia C Lee says
You totally rock that leopard print – what a clever thing!!
Tegan says
That looks awesome! I am not creative in that way at all. Although I made pizza tonight from scratch and I was pretty impressed with that.
EssentiallyJess says
I think you’ve done a great job! I haven’t done any sewing for ages. I’ve been quite slack about it.
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
Anyone that sews a thing in my book is a LEGE!!! You do look great in that skirt, might have to get you to make some for me, I’ll pay you of course!!!
Mrs Organised says
Hi Janet, The leopard print skirt is certainly worthy of compliments, I love it! Clever girl drafting your own pattern, I’ve done it a couple of times with reasonable success. The new black skirt looks fabulous!
Pinky Poinker says
I can’t sew despite going to two separate six week TAFE courses. You have my full admiration Janet and it looks lovely 🙂
Rita @ The Crafty Expat says
You look fabulous! Well done Janet. You even made your own pattern! Wow!
Ness says
It looks great Janet! Well done. I’m hopeless at sewing. I guess I just don’t like it. Oh well.. *shrugs*
Francesca says
Clever lady!