Sad Suit to Ruffle-y cute - CRAFTSTER CRAFT CHALLENGES

I actually started this project this week without knowing about the challenge, but I think it fits the theme pretty well. I decided that I wanted a cute suit-type outfit to wear, so I biked out to my nearest thrift store to find a suit to reconstruct. I found this one, originally $12.00, but it was half off, so only $6, whoo! It was just was I was looking for; pinstripe, pretty big, and included a skirt and pants (for extra fabric to use for the ruffles.)

/\ (can you tell I'm totally freaked out about being in front of the camera instead of behind it?)

Mmmmmm, Frump-alicious
It was actually a size 16, and obviously meant for a taller gal than myself (those pant do indeed come up to my bust). The inspiration for this outfit came from a similar skirt I saw in an online store a while ago (sorry, I don't have the link anymore). I took in every seam on the jacket to fit, with a little pleat at the bottom of each seam. The pants got sliced up into strips that became ruffles. The skirt got taken in, shortened by about 6 inches, and big box pleats were added on the front at each hip for extra flare. Then I added the rows of ruffles to the back of the skirt. I also added detail to the collar by couching some black trim all around and I made a removable ruffle to go under the collar (it is attached with snaps). The waistband from the super-big pants got some ruffles in the back (one layer of tiny ruffles and two big ruffles), a few rows of the black trim, and became a belt.

/\ Here is the suit from the front, without the belt, but with the ruffles on the collar.

/\ Here is the suit from the back, with the belt and the collar ruffles. The back of the collar ruffle is doubled from shoulder to shoulder and the extra ruffle also has a line of the couched trim along it.

/\ eep, a peek of leg on this one (sorry Wink

), but this one shows the ruffles on the skirt and the pleats across the back of the jacket pretty well, I think. This one is without the belt or the collar ruffle. And, as a bonus, the lacy petticoat is made from vintage lace I got last Tuesday from the Knittin Kitten ( http://www.knittnkitten.com/) which is an awesome thrift store full of craft supplies and vintage linens. It only cost me $3 for a ton of it. I HEART that place.

I'm really happy with how the suit came out, and contest or no, I know I'll be wearing this one plenty!