A Refashioned Denim Moss Skirt
When my grandfather gave me one of his well-worn denim jackets two years ago, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with it. I stuffed it into my fabric stash, and then I promptly forgot about it. Does this happen to you? After seeing a number of unique patchwork denim skirts on Pinterest I was set on sewing one using our Moss Skirt Pattern. The only thing giving me pause was fabric. I didn't think brand new denim would give me the look I was going for, and I wasn't keen on distressing denim. That's when a lightbulb went off and I remembered the jacket!
Once everything was unpicked (two-seam rippers were broken in the process) I was able to cut out my pattern pieces. To sew the skirt fronts, I sewed together three different pieces from the unpicked jacket in a big block, and then I used the pattern piece to cut it to size. The skirt turned out better than I could've imagined. The jacket was constructed with flat felled seams which preserved the original indigo color of the denim. I was able to carefully put the pieces together in a way that showcased the difference and fading.
What are your thoughts on upcycling or refashioning clothing? Refashioning can be a great way to reuse fabric, and it can also be a creative challenge. Here in the studio we have varied opinions. Jen, will take apart a garment to discover how it was made, but she isn't interested in sewing it back together in a new form. When she has time, Lexi does enjoy taking apart ready to wear clothing. She'll draft new patterns or sew something new from the original garment. Out of the three of us, I think I enjoy the puzzle of taking an older unworn garment, envisioning something new, and then bringing that vision to life. After painstakingly picking apart the seams of this vintage denim jacket and re-piecing fabric together to cut out the pattern, I'm ready for my next project to be something simpler. On Friday, we'll be sharing a few different ways to style a denim Moss Skirt with some of our other patterns. See you then!