Leather skirt refashion

Wednesday night I got an idea in my head that I just had to try. I've had this Isaac Mizrahi leather skirt for about eight years and will admit that now it is waaay too tight.

I started by removing the thread from the side seams and the rear waistband. I removed the lining from the back waistband and cut at the side seams leaving an additional one inch of lining fabric from the back lining on both sides.

I used the leather back to draft a paper pattern to use for the new back lining and new back fabric. For the fabric piece,  I added a foldover waistband and  1 1/4" hem allowance.

I had the black ribbed fabric in my stash. After cutting the new fabric back, I folded over and stitched both the waistband and the hem. I stitched the lining to the waistband and then stitched back and front lining pieces together. Next I cut and inserted the elastic into the back waistband.

I pinned the front over the back pieces at the side seams into the previously stitched seam. Without using any special needle, thread or sewing machine foot, I stitched the front and back together through the original stitching line.

It was actually very simple and came out exactly like I envisioned.

I'm sure I've seen this look in RTW but I think it was a pair of jeans. Although I don't have a photo of me in my newly refashioned skirt, it is a perfect fit and now we get lots of wear.