pleated skirt

[xvivacity]

first of all, hi, I'm new! that is to say, I've been lurking for a very long time and just joined. Exciting.

Anyway, this were originally a pair of pants from Delia's that I bought last summer for back to school. I got them and EVERYTHING was wrong. The belt loops were massive and stupid-looking, the zipper was funny(still is, actually...), the belt it came with was intended to be wrapped around twice (um...why?) and they were too big around my butt and too small to comfortably accommodate my insane swimmer thighs. So, shortly thereafter, I made it into a skirt, of which I have no pictures, but it was extremely unremarkable.

Since then, I like to think my skills have developed a little, so I decided to pull it back out. My first thought was 'Why is this so short? So I tracked down one of the legs of the pants and decided to pleat it. anyway, I'll shut up and photo now.

ignore stray threads, etc, etc....I'm still in the process of cleaning it up, which takes me several tires because I miss things.


front view. I didn't press the pleats for the photo, because I'm lazy. By the way, standing on a wheeled computer chair is perfectly safe. oh, yes. perfectly.


back. the trim is kind of high on my ass, but what can you do?


marginally clearer photo of the back. note copeland ticket hanging in the (filthy) mirror. Saturday night...I'm so excited!


best photo I could get of the ribbon, which was actually the belt that came with the pants. I just cut off the beading. I'm glad I managed that because it seems really appropriate, somehow.

Incidentally, I learned the hard way that you CAN NOT iron that...as in, it's coated in something that melted onto my iron and burned the ribbon in a very foul-smelling way. (thank god my mother wasn't home!)


Anyway, thoughts? Questions, comments, concerns? monetary gifts?

[gypsytigr]

I think it's lovely and I'm going to steal your idea and do that to a pair of velvety pants I bought at Goodwill today. My pants are way too small (I was going to make something for my daughter out of thm, LOL   ) so I'm going to have to alter the idea a bit but...thanks!

[Miss Violaceous]

I have to try that too. The sheen of the fabric makes the pleats look super. Very nice.

[LibertyAnn]

this is cute.

I like the pink ribbon as an accent.

[violentjayne]

i like it .. I also dont think the trim is to high up it looks fine . great job !

[lindseyloo]

Cute!  And I have a room that's a very similar shade of green. 

[Scary Teri]

way to make something rad out of something not so rad haha

[L_is_for_lobotomy]

hahaha...I used to swim, for about eight years.  I COMPLETELY get where you're coming from about swimmer thighs.  Good to know I'm not the only one.

And I must say, well done.  The shininess of the ribbon is a nice contrast to the shimmery/fuzzy look of the pants.  Nice job!

[turtletrbl]

Another swimmer here (12 years), I totally get the pants vs. thighs problem all the time.  I love what you did with those; it looks like they came that way! 

And I hate that kind of ribbon too.  It's probably acetate -- explains the melting and stench.  Blech.  At least you know to avoid it next time. 

[bananabanana]

Your skirt is very cute. Looks lovely. Well done.