Dress to Skirt Refashion - Rosari Skirt

I've been re-assessing my wardrobe, and filling in with a lot more thrifted pieces than handmade! I haven't been spending so much time on making clothing, and over the past few months I've spend a lot of time away from my studio to enjoy Drew being home. But since I'm home I've been trying to cut back on my fabric purchases to sew through what I already have. It's been making me dive deep into my fabric stash and my refashion stash. I found this dress that was hidden away, already partially seam ripped, ready for a second look.

I wore this dress quite a bit in my early 20s. It was a great work dress, but I grew out of the cutesy style of it (and it was getting a bit tight and short!). I still love the print so I was happy to turn it into something else! Originally I was going to turn it into a high waisted gathered skirt with a zipper in back but I have a few skirts like that already in my wardrobe. I remembered I had the Rosari Skirt from Pauline Alice in my pattern collection and thought it would be a great style!

The original skirt of this dress was heavily gathered, so after removing the gathering, there was quite a bit of material to work with. I was able to cut the new skirt front, back and waistband from the original skirt. The pocket pieces were able to come from the bodice. I had to use extra cotton for the button placket facing and the waistband lining, but it all worked out well! I opted for gold snaps instead of buttons for a cleaner finish.

This was my second time making the Rosari Skirt, and it's a really cute pattern. I had previously cut a size 36, and used the same pattern.

Over the years I have been taking a critical eye to my wardrobe and getting rid of styles that no longer suit me. I was really inspired by Marie Kondo's method and Kondo'd our house last year. Every so often I go back over my wardrobe to upcycle/donate the pieces that no longer "spark joy". Doing this has also very much inspired my sewing! I used to want to sew basics, and thought part of my sewing journey was creating the perfect handmade t-shirts and jeans. But now that I don't have as much time for personal sewing projects, I don't want to spend it sewing pieces I find a little boring. I love prints - especially floral prints- and that's what gets me happy to sew. But with my wardrobe still needing basics, I've turned to secondhand shopping for everything I don't want to make. ThredUp has made my secondhand journey so easy during this quarantine when I haven't felt comfortable going to thrift stores. My shirt and shoes in this post are from ThredUp!

I've posted about ThredUp before, and it truly has become my go-to source for all things secondhand. If you are interested, you can get $10 to shop using this link! (My personal referral link, purchasing through here will give you $10 & I'll get $10 to shop as well!)

And with so many thrift stores turning away donations during COVID, you can order a clean out kit from ThredUp for some extra cash or shopping credit for your clothes: link here.

I have a few more projects I'm working on, a new bag pattern (+ tutorial!), and another refashion that's taking longer than expected. So hopefully my blogging will be back on track soon!