Re-Purposed 'Skirt Totes'- Part 4

By now...

                                         ...you probably already 'know the drill'. ;)

                                    The lining is fashioned and sewn to the bag...

                                                      ...then tucked inside...

                                                           ...and top-stitched...

                                     
                                                 ...and the straps are added.

                                             Because the tote was once a skirt...

                                ...the extant pockets (some with velcro closures)...

                                                         ...are pretty handy...

                                            ...for securely holding cash, tissues...

                                             ...or foam earplugs (on long flights).

                                           The three 'Skirt Totes' (back sides)...

                                                           ...and fronts!

Re-Purposed 'Skirt Totes'- Part 3

As with my earlier project...

 ...I trim off the skirt waistband...

                                                      ...and fashion a lining...

                                         ...from a cheerful piece of cotton fabric.

                                   Squaring off the bottoms of the bag and lining...

                                             ...and pinning the two together...

                                                  ...in preparation for sewing.

                                            Painters' tape is used for marking...

                                ...and the straps are clipped into place for stitching.

                                                     The finished tote (back)...

                                                              ...and front...

                                                     ...with its festive lining...

                                                       ...(here in close-up)!

                               Because this bag is to be used as an 'airplane tote'...

                                                     ...I add a zipper panel...

                                                       ...for extra security.

                                        Next time: the third and final (green) one!

Re-Purposed 'Skirt Totes'- Part 2

Turning the project...

                                                           ...right-side out...

                                           ...and tucking the lining into the bag...

                                ...prior to top-stitching around the mouth of the tote.

                             Choosing a coordinating color of leather for the straps...

                                      ...and fashioning them, using a rotary cutter.

                               Stitching the straps in half along most of their length...

                                              ...and then splaying out the ends...

                                                          ...for attachment.

                                           (This process is repeated on side two.)

                                                 The finished bag (back side)...

                                  ...displaying its whimsical double gauze lining...

                                              ...and the front side with key ring...

                                            ...(formerly, part of the skirt closure).

                                                 Next time: I start a blue one! :)

Re-Purposed 'Skirt Totes'- Part 1

After finding several skirts that I no longer wear...

...during an 'organizing binge' one day...

...I decided to create a few tote bags.

                               Removing the waistband with a pair of sharp shears.

                                             Cutting two pieces of lining fabric...

                                            ...just slightly larger than the skirt.

                   
                    Pinning the lining fabric layers together at the sides and bottom...

                                              ...and stitching them together...

                                  ...(leaving a small opening in the lining for turning).

                        Squaring off the bottoms of both the skirt and the lining insert.

                         Placing the lining inside the skirt (with right-sides together)...

                                                    ...and pinning it into place.

                               Machine stitching the inside of the tote to the outside.

                                           Trimming off the excess lining fabric.

                                         Next time: leather handles are added...

                                            ...and the project is completed.

A Tale of Two Felted Skirts- Skirt 2

Pencil roving 'paisleys'.

 

The skirt with the (wild) roving it was made from.

 

The finished skirt-prior to trimming (silk side 'out').

 

Me wearing the skirt (with leggings...to work!!) Grin.

 

After the debacle with skirt # 1...

...I knew that I needed to scale waaaaay back on the fiber this time.

So for skirt # 2...

...I used only one thin layer of roving with the silk gauze.

Since I intended to wear it over leggings, anyway...

...I thought that if my fiber didn't cover every inch of the skirt, it would be no big deal...

...but, actually, it worked out fine.

I made 'paisleys' from pencil roving...

...and tucked them between the silk and the roving on the skirt front.

As with all of my nuno pieces, I started with cool water and soap...

...and only after the wool had migrated through the silk, did I 'turn up the heat'!

I still find it extremely awkward...

...flipping and rolling a piece as big as this by myself.

Too bad some of you don't live closer!!! Giggle.

Since I prefer the silk side of nuno felted items, and also to tone down the very loud green of my roving...

...even though it's technically reversible...

...I only intend to wear this skirt silk side 'out'.

I'm not exactly sure what some of my co-workers thought of this outfit...

...but it was warm and comfy and I'm sure I'll be wearing it again!! :)