kashmiri jacket - repurposed gypsy skirt

Last year, I found a couple of long very full gypsy skirts at the thrift store.
They appeared to have never been worn.
I guess these skirts seem like a good idea but.... well, Kristy Ally set us straight on that issue.

The original plan was to cut apart the skirts and use the fabric to make curtains or a table cloth for the gyspsy wagon but I never got around to it. 
These big skirts have a large amount of fabric and the two I bought had great colors and interesting patterns.

I didn't get a picture of the actual skirts before cutting them down for fabric last year, didn't even cross my mind.
When cut apart these skirts usually have four large panels of fabric similar to this one.

Long very full gypsy skirt

When I was digging around in my fabric stash, I found the skirt fabric and thought it would make a nice casual top to wear over tops. Something to throw on quickly as I head out the door to run errands.

I love this Marcy Tilton pattern and have made it many times.
It is designed for knit fabrics only but i wanted to use the cotton fabric from the repurposed skirt.

I altered the pattern by adding to the center back, widening the sleeves, and I opened up the armhole curve on both the front and back.
Yes, I used gift wrap to trace and alter the original pattern.
I ran out of the medical office exam table paper I usually use to make patterns. 

I also wanted this top a bit longer and since the fabric has a decorative border, I wasn't going to sew on the bottom band. 
I left the pattern length at it's original length and put the bottom edge along the top of the decorative border to make it easier to match the front and back when cutting the fabric. 
I used a ruler to extend the pattern line once it was pinned to the fabric. 
It was a bit big at the back neck edge so I put in three darts at the neckline.
This worked out nicely as I ended up liking this detail. I also rounded off the top corner of the front drape part because I didn't like the way the cotton fabric was draping.
It works with knits but not so much with a woven fabric even thought this fabric is very thin and lightweight.
The edge binding was cut from a leftover piece of the decorative edge.

I love how it turned out. It was quick and easy once the altered pattern was drafted.

A good everyday jacket for the price of a thrift store skirt ($3.00).
Pardon the poor pictures, it is dark and rainy today.

 

Comments

[Leslie]

I love those damn skirts but I'm only 5'2" and look like a pup tent in them. So I guess I like the *idea* of them, not the actuality of them. Excellent use for one and a really pretty jacket. But you need to model this stuff for us. So much more exciting on a person.

[Nelda Ream]

It's beeootiful! You are so clever.

[Debra]

Beautiful~I love reading just what you did too-so creative!

[Daisy]

Total gorgeousness.. very smart (in all senses of the word) re-purposing!

[tara linda]

This is so gorgeous and wonderful!