An upcycling project I finished today. This is a final project for an alterations and sustainability class I am taking at our local Junior College. I found the oversized button up shirt and wide legged pants at a local thrift store for $10. I loved the fabric but did not love the outfit. I had so much fun changing it into a bomber jacket and skirt with asymmetrical ruffle.

Like… “give me more cowbell” energy, but make it flamenco. So I pushed this skirt further (On AI of course) —layered ruffles, bigger sweep, a little extra attitude. Now the real question:how do we get ruffles to actually hold like that? Because bias alone?It’ll give you flow… but not that lifted, sculptural kick. If you want that kind of drama, you’re looking at: - structure in the fabric - and something in the edge (think horsehair or similar) Curious what you’d try—Would you go bias for movement, or keep it more controlled for shape?

We think it ticks a lot of boxes: ✅ One pattern piece ✅ Simple construction ✅ A real live fit model to try them on mid-project ✅ A result that actually gets worn — repeatedly But we want to hear from you. Have you sewn leggings before? Was stretch knit everything you expected — or did it surprise you? And if you think there's a better first stretch knit project for a beginner — what would you suggest instead? 👇 The Girl's Leggings are waiting for you in your Sewing Pattern Secrets classroom — Module 1. 🌱

I am so excited to be part of this community. I started home sewing at about age 6 when my grandma taught me and now at age 63 I’m finally following my lifelong dream of going to fashion design school. I have created several patterns and I am really enjoying the process. I am also learning how to upcycle Thrifted clothes and I am having a lot of fun with that.

I have really advanced my sewing skills since registering for fashion design at our local community college. The first picture is a coat that I designed and created a pattern for, and the jumpsuit was a commercial pattern. The next 2 photos are a jacket that I am upcycling, a new passion of mine. The last look was originally a pair of wide leg pants that I found at the thrift store and turned into a skirt.