Two Piece Set Thrift Flip Makeover

Tools and materials:

• Sewing machine 
• Overlocker
• Iron
• Lining fabric 
• Fabric scissors
• Seam ripper 
• Needle and thread
• Sewing pins 
• Invisible zipper 
• Fabric marker 

This is the gorgeous blazer that I worked with to create a new two-piece set. When I initially decided what I would be doing with the blazer, I had wished that it was bigger so that I would have more fabric to work with but I do love a good challenge and it worked out perfectly. 

Plan the upcycle 

I decided that I would be cutting the skirt from the front piece of the blazer so that I could keep the original buttons for the skirt. I kept the hem of the blazer so when I cut I didn’t have to add any seam allowance. For the skirt, I used the original lining of the blazer because it was attached to the hem. 

For the top of the two-piece, I decided to use fabric from the sleeves and the back piece. The sleeves had a cool notch detail that I decided to incorporate. I would use one whole sleeve and then cut the other into two. For the back piece, I used the top part of the back of the blazer. I just wanted to add that for the top, I used some cotton that I had on hand as the lining to give a little more structure than the blazer’s original lining. 

Sew the skirt 

To kickstart this upcycle, I cut the two pieces that I would make into my new skirt. 

As I mentioned before, the lining fabric was attached across the hem but I did seam rip a little at the edges because had to create a hole that I would flip the skirt through later. 

First, I pinned the silk layers along the sides and sewed. I then did the same for the lining fabric. 

Next, I pinned the silk fabric and lining fabric, right sides together, and sewed across the waistband. 

To finish the skirt I had to turn it right side out which I did by flipping it through the hole I had left. 

I quickly went ahead and hand sewed that small hole closed. 

Once I buttoned up the skirt, I realized that because it was the bottom of the blazer there weren’t enough buttons and it felt a little too risque for me. I took a button from the top of the blazer and hand sewed it on to both layers of the fabric. This wouldn’t be a functioning button but it would hold the bottom of the skirt closed. 

Sew the bodice 

Moving on to the top, I cut out all the pieces I would need. 

I went ahead and sewed the cotton lining onto the underside of the top. I left the lining on the center section a little shorter because I wanted to keep the original hem. 

I sewed the bodice pieces together and serged all the raw edges so that they wouldn’t fray. 

Attach the zipper 

Next, I started attaching the zipper to the bodice. I pinned and sewed on the zipper in place to finish off the bodice. I sewed it on so that the top part is connected and the bottom opens so that I would be able to put the top on over my shoulders. I also hemmed the top and bottom. I just folded the fabric over and topstitched it. 

Sew the straps 

To make the straps, I cut out 1 inch wide pieces of fabric that I still had from the blazer. 

I folded the strip of fabric in the middle and pressed. I then folded and pressed the rest of the strip. 

I then took the bottom edge and folded it up to that center line and pressed. I repeated the same process with the other edge. I then folded the strip in half and pressed

I sewed across the strip with a straight stitch to create the strap. I folded in the ends so that there wouldn’t be any raw edges. Once I had made the first strap, I went ahead and made 3 more. 

I pinned the straps to the top and sewed them on with my sewing machine. 

Who would believe that this two-piece set was once a blazer? I am so obsessed with this set! Let me know what you think about this thrift flip makeover in the comments!