Stitched Up: January 2023
Hey 2023!
If you’re new here, welcome to Stitched Up and let’s introduce you to Chanté! Chanté is a local thrift blogger and sustainable designer. She is our inspiration and guide to exploring what can be done with some creative alterations and updates of thrifted finds! Each month she starts with a concept, shops our stores, and reworks her thrift finds into high-fashion pieces!
She takes us on a thrift journey from start to finish, and it’s a great ride every month!
Explain your process for selecting the item from our store. What drew you to it?
Before heading to my local Triad Goodwill, I knew I wanted to make a denim maxi skirt out of jeans. When I searched through the jeans section of the store, I focused on finding a pair of blue denim jeans in my size or close to it and found these stylish flare Wrangler jeans! After inspecting it for any tears or stains, I decided to use this pair for the Stitched Up project.
Tell us about your process in editing / altering items- how did you make this?!
One of the first things I did was wash the pair of jeans. Then I placed it inside out on my cutting board and used my seam ripper to undo the inside leg & crotch seams. Next I laid the jeans flat with the old crotch seams aligned on the sides. I used my ruler and chalk to mark near the crotch area of the back legs. I made sure the line I marked matched where my new seam will be. Once I finished marking, I pinned the inside of the back leg panels together. After that, I sewed along where I marked and pinned. I placed the skirt on the cutting board, not inside out. I aligned and pinned the crotch pieces of the front leg panels. This helped me determine how big I wanted the slit in the front of the skirt to be. Lastly, I sewed along where I pinned and tried on the skirt.
What was your inspiration for the finished piece?
After seeing the denim maxi skirt trend on Pinterest and Instagram, I decided on creating my own but with a twist! About a year ago I did a tutorial on how to upcycle jeans into a skirt. I knew I could use what I did as a basis for this project.
Can you share any thoughts or inspiration that are guiding you into this new year?
Due to many things including fast fashion, the volume of how much Americans throw away each year has doubled in the last 20 years. Help reduce waste by thrifting and or upcycling!
