The start of my upcycling addiction

I came away from the Op Shop on Tuesday with three women's skirts.

One $5 hand-made short skirt made from a red boucle stretch fabric has already been transformed into a knee length skirt for Miss Almost-Six. As I unpicked the skirt to make my alterations, it seemed that every seam had been tacked leading me to suspect that it was the end result of a textiles project for a novice sewer. Not any longer - I look forward to Miss Almost-Six debuting this number with her creamy coloured skivvy, cream tights, knee height boots and her red jacket. I promise I'll share photos - nag me if I forget.

A second $5 skirt - which I also suspect was hand-made - is almost finished its transformation into a dress for Miss Two. It was a lovely burgundy lined sheer with velvet patterning. I was hesitant to cut into it at first, but quickly moved to make what I suspect will become a favourite for Miss Two. Again, I promise photos once it's done.

The third $7 skirt is a rosy pink Miller's layered skirt that needs little more than a narrowing and shortening to make a lovely swishy skirt for Miss Almost-Six. Again it will be hard to make that first cut - I've had the skirt laid out on my sewing table several times, only to set it aside until I'm feeling more brave. Yes, yes - photos, I know!

Of course all of this is warming me up for the Big Cut. On my project list is a Sudoku Quilt made from the leftovers of the various lengths of silk that Gadgetman has bought me over the years on his many business trips to Asia. And I intend to do the entire quilt in pure silk - which means I'll need a large length of silk for the backing. And what better place to source such a piece than the voluminous skirt of my almost 14 year old wedding dress...

Oooh, is that the time? I'd better start the Pumpkin Pasta Bake.