Jeans into Skirts

[Creative_Cat]

First of all, hello everybody. I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time but after discovering Craftster, I finally sat down to do it. I'm perpetually attracted to denim skirts but as something of an environmentalist, I feel guilty about buying chemically distressed denim when there are loads of naturally distressed reclaimable fabric in my closit. So I took two pairs of guy's jeans with obscene holes and Simplicity pattern DYO 5065, view F. I chose it because it had narrow gores that could easily be cut from denim legs.And it came out like this. I'm also wearing it in my avatar pic.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u63/Creative_Cat/Feb2007015.jpg

All materials are reclaimed except the thread, and some interfacing leftover from other projects. I used the zipper (not shown) from one of the jeans, and I lined it with thrift store calico...

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u63/Creative_Cat/Feb2007016.jpg

... which caused some confusion...

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u63/Creative_Cat/Feb2007003.jpg

... and I'm not sure if it was a good idea, because if it shows on top, it looks like i'm wearing cheap undies. But here it is on me.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u63/Creative_Cat/Feb2007018.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u63/Creative_Cat/Feb2007017.jpg

... I don't know if the shoes do a thing for it.

I'm kind of underwhelmed actually; it seems kind of bland. So I started one of these ubiquitous numbers...

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u63/Creative_Cat/Feb2007014.jpg

And yes, I'm going to leave that flap in the back!   not.

But anyway, I was hoping for some suggestions for the first one. I feel like it needs something. Top stitching? Tea dying? Some way to unify those different colors? Or should I just wear it and love it and break it in and let it get its character that way? Thanks a bunch.

[pandamouse]

I really like this! I think the colors are just perfect as they are, it adds intrest to the skirt. Also, the calica is super smart, 'cause you won't freeze wearing it. If you really think it needs something, line the part where the ruffles join the skirt with the brown ribbon. Nice job, adn you have a super cute cat!

[catlee07]

I like it! I think you could add some sparkles too it, if you really wanted...maybe some sequins? Or you can add an applique towards the top...

[fluffybaka]

I'm thinking add a patch of some sort along the bottom, just below the ruffle.  Maybe a piece of the lining in a cute shape?

[Creative_Cat]

Thanks for the suggestions. Speaking of 'adding interest' I should have added a shot of the back, which has a dark patch where I removed a pocket. I did it because I was running out of fabric, but when the skirt was finished, I thought, hmm, should have done more of that.

I'm probably going to try to combine suggestions into something involving more brown ribbon and the lining fabric, which doesn't show as much as I'd like it to. It may involve a circa 50's flower brooch somehow. I'd like to keep any additions pinned on and wear them for a bit before I commit to sewing on too much more.

Callisto is another salvage project; I found her in the hedges when she was a little kitten. Don't be fooled by her good looks. She's a little hellion who likes to pull pins out of my pincushion and half-sewn garments. But she makes life interesting for us, especially our older cat Magellan (fat garfieldish red tabby). He wanders into craft pics once in a while (especially when crinkly paper patterns are involved) but his real hobby is 'helping' me cook.