What to do with a skirt that doesn't fit?

We all have them.

Clothes that no longer fit.

Or didn't fit in the first place but you loved them sooooooo much and they were such a bargain that you bought them anyway. 

Right?

So I bought a skirt.  Loved, loved, loved it!  But it was a bit tight at the top. 

Hey, minor detail!

As it was so long, I just cut off the top portion and added a waistband.  Ta dah!

 

Then one day I tore a huge hole in the side of it.  I didn't even realise until I put my hand through it!

But how to mend it?

There are probably loads of different ways, but this is what I chose (because it was my own skirt and I was happy with it - although, I'd probably do it differently if somebody else asked me to mend their own torn skirt)

I took some interfacing and ironed it on the reverse, making sure to get all the torn ends neatly together on the front.

Then I used a matching thread and just zigzagged over the top of the hole to keep the edges together.

And this is what it now looks like on the outside of the skirt.

The skirt itself is so 'busy' that it really isn't noticeable.

Next...

Baby blue oilcloth shopper

I do so love oilcloth - it's so resilient and, well, shiney!

And blue just so happens to be my favourite colour :)

So I put them together and created a spacious shopper with them!

Because I created a bottom in the shopper, it has given it a lovely tapered effect.

 

I added an enormous pocket inside to put keys, phone/pens and other bits and bobs in.  I'm forever losing mine so I suspect that I'm not the only one!

It's quite roomy inside there too!

Next...

Another oilcloth lunchbag makes its debut...

Lunchbags.

We all need them.

And there's something really stylish about oilcloth.

So put them together and here is the latest Sew Selena designed lunchbag creation.

I don't get bored with using oilcloth because it gives such wonderful results.

Mind you, you have to make sure you know where you're going to sew because you really only get one chance - there's no unpicking with oilcloth because it makes holes that will be there for ever more.

 The sides have velcro on them to keep them from splaying open at inopportune moments.

It also has a strap fastening to keep errant sandwiches in their place.

It's really quite spacious in there.

Lined with clear PVC to make it easier to deal with spillages.

 I haven't made a lunchbag for a while now so it's always interesting to revisit my notes on how to make them.  After much tweaking I'm pretty happy with this design.

Next...

Back by popular demand...

...Faux fur phone holders!

A perfect way to use up that old fur coat that you no longer use...

And with the addition of some felt you can personalise them to your heart's content.

I always like to make unique items so I added a pair of lips to this one!

And just one eye...  This blue monster was made from the most luxurious faux fur stole/scarf that I discovered languishing in a bargain bin.  It's sooooooo soft!

And a purple phone monster!

All of the holders are lined with felt and have velcro at the top to prevent your phone from falling out.

Next...