Look Expensive on a Budget: A DIY Lace Curtain Refashion + Simplicity 1099

So far, April has been my favorite month this year. It's the right kind of busy where there is always something to look forward to or do. The Tulip Festival is currently running, the farm reopened, Easter is right around the corner, and the Spring Fair is at the end of the month. There are so many things to show the little bear and our weekends are quickly filling with activities - just the way that I like it!

While we aren't out, enjoying our breaks of sunshine, I've been working on spring and summer inspired projects! There's something about transitional seasons that really inspires me to sew. I love getting a break from a dark color palette and seeing the stores filled with pastels, florals, skirts, dresses and heels. Unfortunately, my account has also felt the crunch this time of year because of my love for all of those things [Insert the saddest face] However, I have learned that you can indulge a little and still maintain your budget without sacrificing taste or quality which brings me to these lace curtain panels that I found at Value Village for $2.50

I was immediately drawn to their interesting scallop detail at the bottom of the panels and was really happy to find that the top mirrored the same pattern. I knew right away that I wanted to refashion them into a full, classic looking skirt that could be used with any blouse, dressed up, or dressed down. Once I finished my gingham crop top refashion, I got to work on cutting out the curtain panels and was so happy with how they looked after they were prepped and ready to be sewn!

Moo loved the scallops as well!

Since I already had a clear picture of what I envisioned for this skirt, I was over the moon to find Simplicity 1099 at Joanns. I relied on view E to help achieve the look I had in mind and let me tell you, it was the perfect match! I was pleasantly surprised because this was my first time sewing with a Project Runway pattern design and wasn't sure what to expect. Despite having minimal expectations, I was blown away but how much extra thought in placed into the Project Runway pattern design. The pattern includes additional sewing information and a page for notes to tailor garments to your wants or needs making you feel more like a designer and less like a home enthusiast. Did I mention that I love this pattern!? Cause, I do, a lot.

Once my skirt was finished, I couldn't wait to get out of the house and show it off! Since my sister in law was in town, we decided to make a girl's day of it and headed to the conservatory at Wright's Park, had lunch on the waterfront, and took a tour of a historical building downtown. It was just the mom break that I needed. Plus, my sister in law, as sweet as she is, knows how much I have been struggling to take photos for my blog with an active little bear on my hands and snapped quite a few for me during the day. If you're reading this, thank you so much.