"Dear ModestProm,

Here where I live it's almost impossible to find anything modest in the stores.  I really need a modest formal by July, but I don't have much money.  I can sew a little, but not much. I don't think I could sew a dress, but I could fix slight tears, or sew a hem. Do you have any ideas for me?" - Susan

Dear Susan,

YES! If you're flexible and willing to try something new, try creating a formal outfit out of separate pieces that you can mix and match.

For example, find a great top, then sew a simple A-line skirt to wear with it! (If you can sew enough to fix tears or a hem, you can probably sew a simple A-line skirt.) To get even more for your money, sew an overskirt or two that you can wear over your basic skirt. It's a fast, easy, inexpensive way to get an entirely different look out of your basic skirt and top.

One Basic Skirt - 3 Great Looks!

     
     Basic black skirt          ... with sheer overskirt     ... with silvery overskirt

You could finish any of these skirt ensembles with
a black velvet top; a silver metallic top; a fancy white top
... and more! Let your creativity be your guide.

The basic skirt shown here is just a simple A-line skirt. Patterns are readily available for this type of skirt, and they are generally inexpensive. This skirt is easy to fit and to sew.

The sheer overskirt shown here is created by lengthening the basic skirt pattern about a foot, then sewing it as usual, and gathering the bottom vertically at the sides and center front & back to create "poufs" of fabric.

The silvery overskirt shown here is created using the basic skirt pattern, just slitting it up the front and cutting out some material along a curve. You can then wear it over your basic black skirt for a whole new look!

© 2003 ModestProm.com