Life is Beautiful

Motherhood, Sewing, Family

unexpected pleated top DIY

~ SEWING

this DIY project came very unexpectedly and you’ll see why!
i bought this skirt in XL from GAP for $10.  i bought it in XL since that was the only size left
and because i can’t say no to pleats since that’s my obsession right now.
so i bought it in hopes of altering it. 
to alter, i put it on, pinched one side and roughly measured with my eyes
 how many inches i needed to take off.
and now i got a skirt that fits me perfectly!
then i starred at the extra fabric i cut off the skirt
and thought i didn’t want this precious pleated fabric to go to waste!
so i just starred at it for a few minutes thinking what i could do with it.
then i rummaged through my closet looking for a black top and found this
a black top from h&m i got 6+ yrs. ago.
i don’t think i’ve ever wore it because the neckline reminds me of a pilgrim or something.
but i love the button detail in the back.
so i cut off the neck part and folded it several times and sewed it.
the after:
more modern looking right?
then i sewed the pleated fabric in the front along the neckline.
the before/after:
wear it plain or with a tie.
and my favorite:
wear it with my black pleated skirt!

i don’t know about you but doesn’t it look like a dress instead of a top/skirt combo?
oh yes.  that’s my husband making trouble as always.
don’t know why i look so awkward but i was happy with the unexpected result. yay!

Comments

  7. Alicia C. says

    You've got an amazing ability to see all of the possibilities! I love this skirt – I wouldn't have even thought to just make it smaller. The shirt is stunning.

  13. Jacie Saltzman says

    yeah it looks just like a dress! and i love it!! what a great find from the clearance rack! you have such a talent in being able to picture things for their potential

  18. Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says

    I swear Sarah – you are a genious when it comes to altering clothes!! Your new outfit is gorgeous – of course! I love that it looks like a dress when worn together, but that you can also wear them seperately. Great job yet again!!

  19. Emily says

    Wow! That is so beautiful. I love it as the dress the best too. I also love it tied. You're so creative!

    By the way, I think we're in the same Stake. Or at least your stunt double and I are :). I thought I saw you at our Super Saturday activity (and I was a little star struck… silly, I know, I thought I'd never be that type of person. gah!) It was a fun activity, huh?

  20. Cheryl says

    Excellent! Such a good way to maximize what you got and make something else a new favorite! Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday:)

  28. Kate says

    Hi I'm a new reader but I just had to comment that your new and gorgeous "dress" looks exactly like the one that Kirsten Dunst just wore a few days ago to the Chanel show in Paris, aaand Vogue said it was one of the best looks of the week!

  29. Kate says

    Hi I'm a new reader but I just had to comment that your dress looks exactly like the one that Kirsten Dunst wore a few days ago to the Chanel show, and Vogue said it was one of the top looks of the week…pretty sure that means extra points for you! 🙂

  33. Brooke says

    I think this is my absolute favorite! I love how it looks like a dress, but if you aren't feeling the dress, you can make it into two separate pieces. I am a dress person but there are those days that I want to wear a nice top or a skirt instead.

    Very creative. I am inspired. 🙂

  35. Koco & Viking says

    Thanks for visiting our little bloggy world! We hope you enjoyed your visit and come by often, we love having you 🙂 Don't forget to come by Feb. 2-6 to enter our Handmade with Love Giveaway and a Valentine's day giveaway we already have underway.

    Your new friends,
    koco & viking

    kocoandviking.blogspot.com

    You guys are super cute!!!

  38. Sarah says

    @emily: no it wasn't my stunt double, it was me! 😀 you should've totally said hi and star struck no way! it's just little ole me! 🙂

    and thank you so much everyone, it means so much to me!

  39. Seamingly Smitten says

    Sarah – AWESOME! I can't even tell it's 2 pieces and I love how you take fabric you love and put it down the middle of a shirt and make it into something fabulous!
    Thanks for linking!
    Jenny

  48. Allie says

    WOW! THat turned out beautiful! Who knew that skirt would turn into all that! It definitely looks like a dress! Amazing job.

  73. katieco says

    I really like this but it looks like a dress, not 2 piece but thats okay..you could wear it different ways. Make 3-4 outfits with 1. Love the color and pleats too.

  74. Tamara Thomas says

    You are a genius! (before I even saw that previous comment) I am so jealous and want to use so many of your ideas. You must have to change outfilt 4 times a day in order to wear everything you own! 🙂

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