Angela wearing a skirt created by converting pyjama bottoms. Matched with a burgundy short sleeved tee-shirt. Dress of the day 336. Photo by Trevor Sharot.
The Skirt Was Needed
I wanted a new outfit, a new skirt to go with all my odd tops. I found a pair of pyjama bottoms, very lightweight fabric, wide legs, and no pockets to interfere with the design.
I considered leaving them as pyjama bottoms. I tried them on. A little tight over the crotch. That decided it. They had to be cut and converted into a skirt.
How To Cut Pyjamas
Having done this several times before, I knew what to do. Grab a pair of pinking shears. If you don't have any, just any pair of scissors.. Cut up the inside leg seam to the crotch and down again the other leg. If you have any hanging threads, cut them off, or pull them out.
Put on the new skirt. Pull it around so the slits are at the sides.
Conceal the Slit Sides
You can now conceal the slit sides. Pull the waist together at the back to move the slits slightly backwards. If you have time and energy you could oversew the sides.
When you are sitting, the skirt is cool. Nobody notices the slit sides.
You can conceal the sides of your legs with a long slip.
The pyjamas created a skirt which was too long. It was likely to trip me up.
I hoisted the skirt up over my bust. However, it kept slipping down.
How does a sarong stay up? By looping behind the wearer's neck.
How could I tie the skirt up around my neck? With a length of ribbon. Instead of making two straps. one either side of the neck, which would mean two straps tying behind the neck. Or four ribbons, making two bows, one on each shoulder, even more work. I could just sew one ribbon the centre front of the top hem. I had no time nor energy to sew. I did not know if I would like the effect. I could attach it with a sewing pin. That looks untidy. It might come apart, drop the dress, and scratch my skin.
I could make a buttonhole through which to thread the ribbon. A buttonhole can easily be sewn by hand. It is basically a horizontal slit in the fabric, with the two long sides secured with blanket stitch. The two short sides are secured by parallel lines of oversewing.
Even that was too time consuming. The family was calling me for breakfast.
I made a horizontal slit with scissors. I found the centre of the top by folding it in half vertically. Then cut a small slit horizontally across the crease about a centimeter down from the top.
No time to sew the edges. Just thread through a piece of ribbon. It must be long enough to go from the dress up around the back of your neck and down again and then tie into a bow.
I cut the ribbon. I threaded it through the slit. I tied it behind my neck.
Instant dress! I felt it was too revealing.
The Tee-Shirt
So I wore a matching tee-shirt on top.
The tee-shirt was slightly too loose. I needed a belt. So I took another piece of the same ribbon. I would it all around my waist, allowing extra to tie the bow.
You could sew the belt on twice, either side of the waist. Or make two loops from the same ribbon.
Or cut fabric from the hem to make loops.
Or sew the ribbon on in the centre back of the dress. That way it stays at the right height. You don't drop it in the street or restaurant.
But I was using a mesh ribbon which was very secure. No time to do any sewing. No need.
To go out , dressed smartly and co-ordinated, I have a matching burgundy cap. And a matching burgundy laptop case which doubles as a shoulder bag.
For staying in, my new skirt with the slit sides is very cool. If you have old pyjamas, and no longer wear them, give them a new lease of life. Or look for pyjamas in charity shops in the UK, or thrift stores in the UK, or in sales online.
Useful Websites
Burgundy versus Maroon
About the Author Angela Lansbury
BIOGRAPHY
Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5
The Author of several books including Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.
Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
translateforfun.blogspot.com
Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President
Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time
Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;
Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;
Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.
More details from Toastmasters International find a club.
Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.
Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.
Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.
Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.
Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.
Language and speech workshops in Singapore.
Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.
Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.
Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.
Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.
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Books by Angela Lansbury
How to be the best man. (Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Wedding Speeches and Toasts.(Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Unforgettable British Weekends.
Poetry Workshop Workbook.
The Tailor and the Spy. (Lulu.)
Larry The Talking Labrador. (Lulu.)
Writing Poetry for fun.
Quick Quotations
Who Said What When
About the Author
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