I have a long list of sewing projects I need to be getting on with. This list includes things like curtains and fixing COD’s jeans pocket, neither of which are particularly inspiring. Also, I have the fabric for ACOD’s curtains but I tend to sew while she is asleep so hard to get in there to do the final measurements. I know, I know, I could do it while she is awake and write it down but……..
Anyway, I have taken a liking to the new fashion trend of denim pinafores (it’s wrong, I am aware but I like them – always have. And dungarees) and while in London last week started to wonder if I could upcycle an old pair of jeans into something similar. This led to a bit of Googling and deciding to start small and turn some old jeans into a skirt instead. So, instead of doing the things I am meant to be doing with my sewing machine, today I made this:
It even fits! So, an easy sewing upcycle to turn my old Banana Republic jeans (bought in 2008) into a new skirt. I might even wear it out in public! A small tutorial….
Instructions for making a skirt from old jeans:
- Chop off the legs at your desired skirt length (measure from the waistband and remember that jeans waistbands usually dip at the front) plus about 5cm
- Using a quick-unpick (seam-ripper), undo the inside leg seams and crotch seam until the bottom of the zipper at the front and about equidistant at the back
- Flatten out the crotch seams, iron and pin flat in place
- You should now be able to see how much fabric you need to add in at the front and back. Choose your fabric (I used a heavy upholstery cotton) and mark out the shape you need by putting the fabric under the opening and draw it out using tailor’s chalk
- Cut out your fabric shape, remembering to leave a good seam allowance.
- I overlocked the fabric edges as well as the old crotch seam the goes underneath the top one
- Pin fabric in place and using heavy duty thread (matched to your jeans thread), top stitch your crotch seams flat and the fabric in place. I continued the double line of stitching that the jeans already have.
- I then had to even off the hem line and sew a hem, again double stitching to continue the look.
I realise that I should have taken photos along the way to explain the above but a quick Google gives loads of different options.
And then obvs a (virgin) cocktail with dinner. On a Monday. In a crystal glass. Why not?
Cucumber and Elderflower Mocktail
Ingredients:
400ml apple juice
2T elderflower cordial
juice of 1 lime
cucumber
mint leaves
Sprite / diet sprite / lemonade
Method:
Put the apple juice, elderflower and lime into a jug. Add in about 1/4 cucmber sliced / cubed / sticks and pop the jug into the fridge for a while.
When ready to serve, pour over crushed ice and top with mint leaves and lemonade
I suspect this will be excellent with prosecco instead of lemonade. Trying to cut the alcohol intake Monday – Friday so I will try this as a proper cocktail-sort-of-bellini-thing over the weekend. YUMMY!
In other news:
- I am a swiper of cards – you know, Boots, Tesco, Sainsbug, Co-op, etc and have often wondered how much I actually save by doing this so last year, I painstakingly recorded the savings due to card swipage and it was amazingly £298.35 which is pretty good going. This doesn’t include special offer, BOGOFs or deals on shopping. So, worth swiping methinks
- I have signed up for two runs so far this year. A 5km and a 10km. That should keep me out of trouble
- Had an awesome outing to our small Island zoo last weekend. Another fabulous place for the small people (and big people) and it comes with a nice cafe where all children ate their lunch – ALL their lunch, without fuss. Magic venue
- The washing saga continues. It’s endless. I am single handedly destroying the planet through tumble-dryer usage. Sorry.
- I also need to cook some new and exciting things but my focus has been on mushy stuff for the smallest one. Off to bed with a cookbook………
ROD's Island Life 