Outlander Inspired Re-make

This week I've reached into my "needs work" box which is actually several boxes, but that's neither here nor there. I made this originally as a skirt 5 years ago after reading through the first nine Outlander books and needing something to commemorate, and wore it for a season. I then got a copy of Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book and NEEDED a princess seamed bodice dress. So I made the bodice, opened up the waistband, and put it all back together. I wore and loved it that winter. Then, the next summer I started incorporating weights at the gym and the next winter the dress didn't fit in my shoulders anymore. I then let the lovely thing sit for 3 years waiting for inspiration to strike, and I went back to my original inspiration, Outlander.

I opened up the waist and removed the bodice and the modern zipper to begin. Then I refolded the waistband, making it more narrow that it had been before. (I am so sorry, I cannot find ANY pictures of the original skirt. Oh well...) I added a placket behind the opened seam, then brought out my super fun eyelet puncher, that I had to relearn how to use. I covered the eyelets in green embroidery thread because silver was too modern looking. I may have to add a snap further down on the placket but honestly when it's on, it's held in place by the weight of the skirt and my body.

I also encased the side seams and hem with lace binding because they were really starting to look pretty ragged. Yikes. This plaid has a very loose weave and when I originally made this I was still learning about how to sew and handle different types of fabrics. I missed the finishing seams lesson obviously, but friends, finish them. Future you will thank you. 

Here are some finished photos of it on, I can't wait to put this back in rotation and feel like I will get more wears out of this being separates that I did while it was a dress. I have plans to make the bodice into something a bit more historical feeling but need to figure out how to grade it up properly. Honestly, it'll probably go back into the mending box for another long while. Whoops. Until next time friends, it's back to the sewing room.