I’m not what you would call a “country type of gal”. I don’t really listen to country music, I’ve never been to any event that has a “western” flair to it. Don’t ever see myself owning a pair of cowboy boots either. However, I do have an affinity for 40s and 50s western wear; I blame all the westerns I grew up watching (and still love). Many is the time I’ve nearly bought a vintage 50s cowboy-inspired blouse pattern, but talked myself out of it (where the heck would I wear it?!). But I knew it was going to creep into my wardrobe at some point…Western-inspired garments were extremely popular in the late 40s through the 50s, and details from skirts with a western-flair to tooled handbags were popular in ladies fashion of the time.
Enter my variation of the Ginger skirt (view 2). Yes, this is Colette Patterns skirt—I just modified it! It was on my sewing list for this summer anyway, but I had kind of planned on using a teal green linen I had. The denim this was made from was for those 40s shorts I was talking about last week. But I changed my mind after I doodled this skirt in my sketchbook late one night. You know how that happens, don’t you?
It’s not overtly “western”, but has a bit of that feel, doesn’t it? (Or am I just imagining things? If I am, don’t burst my bubble.) I adjusted the pattern to make scalloped pockets on either hip with a buttonhole, adding topstiching and buttons with a star motif. Modifications aside (which didn’t take that long to do, truthfully), this pattern proved to be amazingly easy, just as I expected. I whipped it up in just a few hours from start to finish. I seem to be on a roll with “quick” projects lately, and this one fit neatly in the list of ones I’ve completed.
I managed to have my wits about me before I embarked on this crazy pattern alteration and actually document the process. I’m not sure if anyone is interested, but in the event there is one or two reading this who’d like to see the how-to, it will be posted tomorrow or Friday. The instructions could just be a jumping-off point for others sorts of shaped, hip pocket modifications too—it’s so easy to do and really changed the overall character of a skirt!
You know, I might just have to rethink that 40s blouse (if only I could find the pattern!)…
More photos here if you’d like to see!
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You make a super cute cowgirl.
It’s gorgeous!
This skirt is gorgeous – the colour and the shape look great on you and that scalloped waistband just finished it all off. Don’t worry I won’t burst your bubble, there is definitely something distinctly Western about it. I can’t believe you made it in a few hours – so talented! I hope one day my sewing skills will allow me to ‘whip up’ a skirt in a few hours – plenty more practice needed before that though!
Thank you, Kathryn!
I would say the quickness of this project had more to do with the pattern itself than me being a “super seamstress”… hehe! It’s really simple and straight-forward!
♥ Casey
Love!! The details! It’s just lovely! More exclamation points!!!
I love the pockets echoing the waistband—definitely give it a bit of a western feel.
Purtiness!!!! Love it!! And yes, I definitely do get that Western vibe!
I’m with Tanit-Isis. Love the way the pocket shaping ties in with the waistband shaping. Beautiful job as ever. Looks like you’ve had a bit of rain! That’s all we seem to be getting in the UK right now,but it’s probably cooled things off nicely for you over there.
Px
I wish it cooled off after rain here!
lol. Instead it just gets hotter and stickier–kind of what I imagine a tropical rain forest to be like. Yikes!
♥ Casey
SO CUTE!!! I love Western things, especially vintage Western things. Your modifications are great! Funny, I just bought a pattern with similar pocket shape for a pair of shorts and I’m dying to make them up for summer when it gets here.
And then listen to some Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys 
LOVE the button detail and topstitching, and your hair! Another brilliant outfit
Pretty please make that blouse!
I love Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys–I have a couple of songs on my iPod that I got awhile ago. hehe! Someone posted the pattern that has been re-released by Decades of Style, and I’m mighty tempted to get it so I can make that blouse… lol.
♥ Casey
This is one of the best Gingers I’ve seen! You look adorable, as ever!
The scalloped pockets are a perfect alteration to the original pattern! Love!
Can we have the pattern please?? This is soooo lovely!!
Hi Popbabe7, The unaltered skirt pattern is by ‘Colette Patterns’ Ginger – No. 1016
Thanks Claire for jumping in with the answer!
♥ Casey
Very cute. I love the way you take patterns and make them your own
I need a cute vintage inspired western outfit.
I always feel sadly out of place on “go Texas Day” (yes, it’s actually a holiday in Houston), and when I go to the Rodeo. Thanks for the reminder that not all western wear requires rhinestones and fringe.
Love it! And it DOES have that western feel to it. You’re just missing the had and the side saddle!
I’ll be waiting to see the modification process.
Lovely look!
So darling! I’m such a cowgirl at heart and I love what you’ve done here! The pockets are such a stroke of genius! Love love! Fits you like a glove too! Totally sweet and perfect 50s cowgirl look. I love it with your hairstyle and the scarf!
Cute! It think it’s western enough to fit with your cowboy boots, but you could also style it differently too. And I’d love to see the tutorial!
Yeeehaw! It’s very The Big Valley style western, like casual rancher’s wife rockin’ a bouffant. Of course Dolly Parton could add some sweet fringed gloves to country it up more.
I adore your long elegant pigtails. I love how much fun you’re having in this shoot too.
I was this close to doing a bouffant style with my hair the day I wore this… lol!
♥ Casey
aw shucks, you’d make a darling little cowgirl. don’t fight it – get you a couple loretta lynn records and embrace the cowboy boots. seriously, i may be a cliche nashvillian (and, ugh, may i point out that i’m a ~native~ and not some janky tourist, plz) but god i love my cowboy boots
haha
i just recently finished this pattern as well – in denim, no less! – and i have to agree, it’s a great pattern that sews up easily & fits very well. i love your version! please please please post how you did the scalloped pockets, if it’s not a giant bother – i would love to incorporate something like that in my next ginger (because, yep, i plan on making at least half a dozen
Thanks, Lauren!
I’ll be posting about the pocket modifications sometime tomorrow (fingers crossed… we’ve been having awful internet connection problems!). So stay tuned! 
♥ Casey
Beautiful!!! I love this … and I’m oh so glad you’ll be posting a tutorial on how to add the modifications! I’ve been thinking a lot about scallops recently and really want to add them to something. Seriously. It may be an obsession.
I can’t wait to see your alterations. I have made the Ginger skirt twice now, but have plans to make many more!
That skirt is wonderful.
woohoo! sign me up! this is soooo cute, cant wait to make one!
I love your hair and cute skirt ^^ i like the combo of the boots and outfit
I love it, it’s just the right amount of country! (I also have a denim skirt in the queue! Must be a summer thing.) And your hair is so cute like that.
How is your topstitching so neat? It’s really cute!
Well, I did rip it out a couple times… I have to admit!
I also went really, really slow–doing contrast topstiching is a bit tricky, but well worth the time and effort. 
♥ Casey
Oh, Casey!
Please shows your process of alterations this pattern. You are awesome
Now I’m getting ideas for a restyle myself. Too cute! I love it!
super cute skirt, great work! i grew up in “the cowboy capital of the world”, the skirt is definitely western-y. not too much though. no bubble bursting here! of course, as soon as i turned 18, i couldn’t wait to get out of town, so not much western has stayed with me. i am ok with that.
Wow, great modification! Its funny how such a simply modification, with fabric choice and styling, can completely alter the mood of a pattern!
Look at all the fun you are having in this set! I love that skirt. you are so adorable in this! It does have a slight western rockabilly type of feel to it.
That is super duper! I looooove it! I live in Austin so there’s a bit of Western wear (though not a ton), and I would love to rock something like this. Please post a tute! You are fabulous, girl!!!!
I’ll be posting it tomorrow!
♥ Casey
Oh my goodness! So gorgeous. I’m on a Western kick right now and this is so going on my inspiration list!
You are too cute Casey! I love your outfit
Someday Casey you will look back at these photos and smile. I hope you see how beautiful you are. Enjoy your 20′s.
Aw, thanks….
I just wish I hadn’t gotten so caught up in the crazy body-image crud that is out there in my early 20s–I do regret not living my life to it’s fullest early on! At least I still have lots more years ahead to make it up. 
♥ Casey
Oh, that skirt is so cute!! I kind of love the little western theme. It’s just enough of a nod in that direction to be charming without being too much. The scalloping on the waistband and pockets looks adorable. I am so glad you’re going to be posting a tutorial on how to do the modifications! I love scalloped details, but I’ve never tried doing them myself before.
Your sewing adventures never cease to inspire me!
I love western wear even though I don’t dress that way daily. Looking forward to the tutorial!
Loooooove this! You are a sewing rockstar Casey! You inspire me so much! Thank you!!!!
Casey this is too cute! Adore! I have that western shirt pattern and would love to do a loan if you want…I think it’s a size 14. Let me know… PS I’d be glad to make you an honorary Okie if you are up for it!
Thanks so much for the offer, Emily!
I think someone posted a reproduction of the pattern from Decades of Style, so I might just pick up that one. But if not, I’ll keep your sweet offer in mind! 
Thank you!
♥ Casey
This skirt is absolutely to die for! It’s just enough western-y to give it a bit of a kick, I think. I would love it if you posted a how-to! I want one!
Yee-haw! Love your western skirt. Great stitching details, Casey, and I love the shaped waistband. It’s so stylish.
You are so adorable and my sewing heroine
That skirt is fantastic. I can totally see it with cowboy boots.
Aw… I’m blushing that I’m a Sewing Heroine–thank you dear!
♥ Casey
This is a lovely look on you – just the right amount of Western in my opinion!
well howdy do, you look great! I’m supper excited to hear about your modification as well ; )
I love it! A ‘how-to’ would be great please ;o)
That pocket detail is really something! But, hey, I’m seeing some red cowboy boots with this.
Mom
I know… I honestly thought about you and your red cowboy boots hunt when I made this!
♥ Casey
okay, so cute. I love this skirt and your hair kills! I love it. and really DO get a pair of cowboy boots. I have one pair and got them in 8th grade. they still fit and even though I haven’t worn them for years, when I need them, I have them, you know? and pretty soon the girls will wear them for dress up. just get a good vintage pair, they last forever! Mine are made by Acme.
Thanks for the cowboy boots tip, Amy! I’ve been actually looking for some (just because they’d be neat to have
), but have yet to find ones that will fit my wide Hobbit feet. lol. Still, hopefully one day I’ll find a pair!
♥ Casey
You’ve totally inspired me to try a denim ginger v. 2 but I have to say that I’m not loving the pocket variation. Look closely at the silhouette in the first photo, right on the hips is just not a flattering place for scallops I’m afraid.
Thanks for your input, Sara! I realize that the hip silhouette may not be for everyone; it’s based on styles that were popular in the late 40s and early 50s–at the height of emphasizing the wide hip during the New Look’s silhouette popularity. It’s not what would be considered a “pretty” look nowadays, but if you look at photos of movie stars from the era, they sometimes sport similar pockets/hip detailing. Just a fun little look I can play with.
♥ Casey
I love it! and your not mad, it does have a delightful western air to it. I certainly look forward to reading the How-to. Thanks!
what adorableness. I love the shape of the skirt and the cowboy boots! I have a pair of really nice cowboy boots but I never know how to wear them with my outfits
I’d probably be in the same boat with cowboy boots myself, Caitlin! (Although I don’t own any… The ones I’m wearing are 70s boots and aside from the silhouette referencing the look, really aren’t proper cowboy boots.
)
♥ Casey
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