Inspired Clothing...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 2:42PM 
This Gap jean skirt needed a new life. As I am entering my mid-thirties, the highcut slit, ( in the middle of the front) is just not the look I'm going for with a baby on my hip and two other young children. So.. much to my husband's dismay, I decided to close the 'gap'. (uuggh.. excuse the pun) Above, my daughter helped me decide which cotton fabric to use.
Having settled on the small floral pattern, I pleated it twice at the top, and sewed it on both sides and the top using a pale blue thread. (Mind you, without the pleat, it folded and stuck straight out!!) It wasn't enough.. I cut out a little chickadee from the same fabric (template below) and fused it the bottom corner of the skirt. It still wasn't enough!
On to the fun stuff!! I have been quite taken by Amanda Soule's work and book, The Creative Family. I love her embroidery! So.. I made my own. The little birdie needed a branch to perch on! Using doubled plain brown thread, I stitched (very simply) a perch.
Now that's a skirt I'll wear! Thank you Amanda for the inspiration!
Here is the template for you.. just left click to enlarge, then right click to save it to your PC. You can adjust it's size, use it for paper cutouts, whatever you like!
Enjoy!
xoxo~
Abbie
Art, books, crafts, hints and tips, sewing projects 
Reader Comments (15)
What a cute update Abbie! I love it and pooey on him!!!
What a clever and cute skirt transformation. Thank you for sharing the bird template, too.
How adorable! thanks for sharing!!
Abbie, what a sweet bird!!!
I wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the "Arte y Pico" award.
You can read about your nomination and the rules here: www.quilling.blogspot.com
Congratulations!
antonella :-)
Hi Abbie !
your skirt looks gotgeous - even if your hubby didn`t approve ! ;o)
And thanks for sharing the birdie template - it`s saved !
xx
You know I'm in love with this little birdie!!! And your new banner! I love all the color!
Amanda:)
What a great solution! I just love it!
I think that you folks in NH took the brunt of yesterday's storms, but they were wild ones everywhere! We have two more giant maple trees down in the neighborhood. It's sad to see them go. We were out walking this evening and counting the rings as they've already started to clean up. They were both well over 100 years old. I hope that the elderly lady living there is able to get some good money for them as so much of the wood is sound.
How did you fare? Hope that you missed seeing any twisters. (And I thought of you yesterday, too.)
You did a great job on that skirt. Love your creativity with the bird and thanks for sharing him with us. Have a great weekend! Twyla
What a cute little project!
I love, love, love it! Small children + deep slit = panties showing. Trust me, I know from first hand experience. Funny to the man in my life, not to me.
Hi Abbie, what a cute blogspot you have! And thank you for the bird template...I just love birds and I am making a jeans lampshade that has a spot I have to cover up - I think I'll use your template with fabric (like you did) to cover that spot! Thanks again, and I'll add you to my favorites list so I can check back now and then!
xxxooo
Marilyn
So cute... what a great idea.. Love your blog by the way too xx
What a charming way to "close the gap" -- you've definitely "up-cycled" this! Thanks for sharing.
Your site is wanderful, I love all your items and I admire your photography , the vintage items, beautiful, the crafts gorgeus , very very nice , congratulations. From Argentina, Bolmara De Marco.
So adorable! A wonderful idea and a little bird to the rescue.