Checks, Chops and Changes.

 

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So I bought this dress in January .....

H&M Modal Blend Dress

... with the express intention of turning it into a skirt. There was no way I was wearing it with that cutout back! 

The idea was I was going to chop off the body of the dress and with the spare fabric, fashion myself some pockets and maybe make a few hair scrunchies with what was left. Go me!

So I started making some changes to it in February, made some more changes not long after and took some pictures of the finished item in March with the express intention of blogging the process and guess what - it's now April. End of April even - I took my time doing this one didn't I? Time is not of the essence where I am concerned. 

So if we backtrack to February, I chopped off the top ....

Then I unpicked the part of the waistband where I had cut - removed the excess fabric, reduced the width of the elastic as it was making the waistband pucker and sewed up the waistband again (below pic) by hand. 

Then I decided I couldn't live with the bad check alignment on the back seam so unpicked it all and realigned it and sewed it back up. I figured that I could make a slight adjustment to the hem to accommodate anything that was a bit out of sorts. Before and after pics below.

Before

After

Then I turned my hand to the pockets. I made a pattern for the pockets and cut them out of the spare fabric I had. 

And sewed them in following this nice and easy Youtube tutorial. 

And here we are!

Everlane Square Cut Silk Shirt (Old but still available)

Belt (Ebay)

Zara Shoes (Old)

Converse (Ebay)

I think it turned out alright and I like the Toast vibes of the fabric pattern. I also took a little check inspo from these lovely ladies Caroline and Bean with their simple monochromatic looks :

Maison Bengal Jute Bag

M&S Navy Cashmere Jumper

Toast Skirt

Zara Sandals

With the exception of the sandals which are the more on trend item but you do sometimes need that little fashion injection in your wardrobes to update existing pieces, the other items should see you from year to year without fail. I have the little basket bag but in a yellow colourway which has come out each summer for the last few years and you can never go wrong with a good simple navy cashmere jumper. I favour navy over grey in the summer as it just feels right when I want something classic and clean. I'll be keeping an eye out for the Toast skirt in the sales (fingers crossed) but to throw a wildcard in the mix .....

..... I love this red check print from Hannoh Wessel! A little different from all the gingham around currently but so sharp. Big love.

Long Sleeved Dress from No.3 Shop

Sleeveless dress available from Neilson Etoile

Skirt thankfully sold out not that I can afford it.

Anyway, that's my little chop and change story for my skirt. Yes I could probably have bought myself a similar check skirt but consequently, I have now mastered putting pockets in my skirts and dresses  so that's no bad thing!