There is "Before" and there is "After"

Ever since I learned that one of my sisters-in-law sews her skirts, I've been wanting to make one. And one of my friends sews hers, too. She even alters to fit better for her figure! Plus, I thought "It would be fun to make matching skirts with M (my 3-year-old daughter)". So, I have been cooking this idea for a while. I even borrowed skirt patterns from my friend. She told me to use elastic waist to make it easy. True. But I wanted to make something nice enough that I can enjoy wearing, if I invest in some time cutting and tracing the pattern, and cut and sew the fabric....not to mention that I haven't mastered sewing a zipper with sewing machine!
As part of "my decluttering my life project", I made my husband clear his part of closet a few weeks ago. My husband, being strong and sturdy (I got this from a children's book author's biography, and I love it), and maybe, just maybe, getting a little stronger and sturdier than when we got married, he got rid of several pairs of nice dress pants. Good quality ones. Good fabric, no wear or tear, too good to just donate. Then, came an idea. Use those pants as material! Being called "resourceful" "frugal" and "thrifty" (oh, no, I'm not cheap.) many times in my life, I decided to live up to the title.

"Before"

And, "After" (not the best pic)

I thought it turned out really cute. I was very very happy about the result. Well, there is one spot. Oops. This is what happens when you don't exactly cut along the pattern, measure as directed, and sew without following instruction. Lesson learned. I'll try to follow the steps a little bit closer next time. But, hey, once you put a cute shirt on the top, nobody notice that, right? I'm happy, so that's all that matters here. Next plan: matching/coordinated skirts with M. We'll see....