Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Crocodile Embossed Faux Leather Skirt

As you can tell, I'm having a love affair with faux leather.  I wish I had some place locally to purchase authentic skins -- I like to touch!  If I did, I would sure buy some.  I still may take a chance on ordering.  But for now, I'm working with faux and copying trendy items that I've been fawning over.  

This time I decided to make an elongated crocodile embossed faux leather skirt.  I've been seeing lots of fashions made from skins with exorbitant price tags.  But since I sew, I don't need to take a small business loan out to have something "similar" to the looks I love.  

This time my inspired look was taken from Marc Jacobs and Anne Klein:

Instead of using a pattern, this project is actually an upcycling.  These were faux croc embossed pants that were in my closet.  I re-discovered them a few weeks ago while cleaning my closet it out.  They were headed to the donation pile and I saw that Marc Jacobs skirt in a magazine.  The pants already had the waistband in tact and a side invisible zipper.  All I need to do was rip open the inseams and sew center front and back seams.  I then cut it off to the appropriate length and hemmed it.  
And just like with the prior project, I pressed the seams open using a warm iron and a pressing cloth.

This was another quick project that I could get in for Fall.

43 comments:

  1. Erica- Fabulous! How many items do you tackle every week! You are awesome, and this is a fabulous recycle. You style is so good! I have noticed a beige pair of platform pumps that you have! I have my eye on them now! Keep up the GREAT work and I will keep on being inspired by you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am lov'n this skirt~ the whole outfit is great, but you are rock'n that skirt, wow!
    Oh, and the lady-like faux leather, um-um-um,lol!! Beautiful job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is beautiful Erica!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This look is beautiful. Great refashion.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LOL, I'd never had thought of upcyclingpants into a skirt, but it is just brillant.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Absolutely love this, I could definitely use a skirt like this for fall/winter!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a great refashioning project! I wish I could see the before pants. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love this looks its so flattering on you and its so timeless, you look great

    ReplyDelete
  11. great skirt. I'm also planning a faux leather skirt, but in snakeprint.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Erica, love this skirt and also loved last week's too. Great way to recycle your trousers to a new life. Like verobirdie commented, I would never have thought of refashioning trousers. Way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Erica this looks fantastic on you! You have me excited about trying faux leather!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the outfit :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous8:07 AM

    I think I would have chickend out at the point where I had to use an iron on faux for fear I might end up with brown glop. Your seams look terrific. Great refashioning!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, the skirt looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love that you refashioned a pair of pants into this beautiful skirt!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Erica - love your style and refashioned skirt!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gorgeous... as always. :)

    FWIW, I can find real leather (and fur) at my local native American shop. Yes, they sell cards/tshirts/beads... but the back has *piles* of cow-skin. If you're looking for real, might be worth your while to see if you have such a store around town.

    For sure my local fabric stores don't sell anything like it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Any special directions to sew on pleather?

    ReplyDelete
  21. See the previous post.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I need an A-lined version of this in my life. You look awesome in this, girl.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nailed this one. Beautiful. Love, love the achievable project inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Faux materials have come such a long way and have found their own niche, no longer just a "substitute" for real leather. I think the sheen, drape, and texture are amazingly complimentary to the patterns you selected. The fact that it is cruelty free is a major plus too!

    ReplyDelete
  25. WOW Fabulous! I recently saved some leather jackets that were headed for Goodwill to use to trim a vest or jacket. After seeing your skirt I wish I had leather pants too!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Very nice job Erica. Those pants will live on for years to come. One question, did you glue or stitch the hem?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Fabulous and a great example of upcycling. I have some weird textured black mystery fabric I intend to make a pencil skirt from and I must confess I will be shamelessly copying your styling!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. You look fabulous. Great refashioning!

    ReplyDelete
  29. What an incredible idea. The skirt looks fantastic on you!!! I have another item to add to my fall list.

    ReplyDelete
  30. The skirt looks so great and you looks beautiful!
    Hugs,
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  31. You look AMAZING in that skirt, and I have been meaning to de-lurk to tell you that I loveloveLOVE how you've been wearing your hair! You always look chic and fabulous, but this natural hair look in particular is spectacular on you. Go on, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  32. You are my twin in leather loving. OMG, Erica, you would go nuts over all the leather and suede you can get here in the Garment District. Let me know if there's a particular color/skin you're looking for and I'll see if I can get you swatches.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks Lindsay! I will take you up on that. I trust your taste!

    ReplyDelete
  34. That skirt is amazing!! Love the entire look!

    ReplyDelete
  35. That skirt looks hot and edgy. I love the necklace too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Well done Erica B!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wonderful refashioning! That skirt looks amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  38. good g-d, you make me want to sew. And your hair is lookin good. You look great....

    ReplyDelete
  39. I haven't been on your blog in several months but I must say that I am loving your hair!!! And the faux leather skirt is haute!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Too chic!! I'm lovin' the natural look on you!

    ReplyDelete
  41. You, your natural hair, and sewing talent are sooooooo FAB. You go Miss Girlfriend Thing! You are now an adopted Grand Diva.

    granddivasews@blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete