Thursday, September 2, 2010

From frumpy to fabulous!

sorry for the crappy picture, know one was home to take it!
I love buying clothes at the thrift store and trying to make them into something else. I've been doing it forever, but over the years I have become more daring with my purchases. When I bought this dress I didn't know exactly what I would do with it, but I just knew it had potential. And I LOVE the result!
First I cut the bottom off, and took off the elastic waist. Then I cut off the sleeves (and shoulder pads) and took in the sides of the top.
At this point I had a cute little top that I actually really liked, but it was a little short. (Sorry for another mirror shot!)
I took the HUGE bottom half and sewed a smaller tube that went in at the waist and ever so slightly out at the hips (since I don't really have a huge difference between my waist and hips). Luckily I was working with a stretchy fabric so it was VERY quick and easy to remake this dress, no zippers needed.

I wanted a sort of 30's/40's? look, so I kept the top bigger, and made the bottom skin tight at the waist. I just sewed the top and bottom right sides together, gathering the excess top fabric as I went. DONE! Super comfy. flattering, and it only cost me $3 to make! (That's how much the original dress cost.)

34 comments:

{irene} said...

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??????????? wow girl....when I think u can't surprise me anymore, u do it again!!! I want that dress!!!!amazing!

Emily said...

So flippin CUTE! You inspire me so much, Katie:)

Christy said...

Love it. LOVE it!! You're incredible! That dress is A-dorable! Great job!!!

JMB said...

AWESOME! Wish I had you to thrift with...I would have passed that dress up.

sarah marie. said...

so cute katie!

Alice said...

You are darling and AMAZING! Please come live by me and sew me custom outfits!

lisa said...

I had to do a double take! Good job!

Petals said...

Super cute!

Kendra said...

This seriously looks amazing! You did a great job!

Anonymous said...

what a transformation! the new version looks adorable on you!!

the Richards said...

Wow. Awesome job Katie! I don't think I would have been brave enough to go for that dress- and you made it absolutely adorable.

Jessica said...

Wow I love what you've done with it. I can't believe they were charging $3.00 for the original. Wow that was UGLY~

Brooke Ann Dove said...

Amazing! It's adorable and you are a genius!

Meredith said...

This is awesome! Great job!

Ashley Terry said...

Holy amazing dress!!! I LOVE IT!! You are so beautiful!! Gosh, green and polka dots - 2 of my favorite things :)

Aurora said...

You did a great job! I just recently finished my first thrift store refashion and am now OBSESSED with finding more funky dresses to change!

Teddi said...

yes much better n 1st photo i was like ewwwwwwwwwwww but the last u stepped it up & made it fab. project runway here u come

kelley @ the eclectic owl said...

Seriously gorgeous! I love it! You are so talented! Oh and I got my earrings today! They came so fast!! I'm wearing them right now :)

Cristy said...

Dude... that is amazing!

Robyn said...

Love it! You have a great eye for picky potentially cute but frumpy thrift items! I don't think I would ever picked that dress out, but your results are awesome! Nice work.

Jill said...

Am i the only one that likes the "old version" better than the new one....;). You are super amazing. I should've taken you up on making those bloomers!

Caroline said...

Oh my!! You are amazing! That dress is perfect!! Love the color and what you have done is incredible. I really enjoy reading your posts. xo

emilie said...

Katie, you're the best. That white crochet-ed collar thingy is beautiful, and I love what you've done to the dress. I miss you!

Susan Curtis said...

Don't forget who gave you your first sewing lessons.

Lori Collett said...

I would like to have this dress. Please and thank you. Although, I don't know if I could pull it off, why don't you just give it to me, and I'll see :)

Lori Collett said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
thursday said...

Wow! I'm stunned Katie! I saw the first picture and just thought "nope, I don't know how she could possibly make that look good". You proved me wrong though! This is so pretty:)

Gillian said...

Fantasic dress, it looks amazing on you.

Kate said...

Holy crap, I just came upon your blog and wish so much that I had the sewing skills to duolicat vthis. I'm in love!! You found a new follower,..maybe one day I will attempt.

Francesca Morgan said...

LOOOVEE this! Your'e beyond creative!

dana said...

cute! Impressive!

Lisa said...

Katie, you're a genius! I like the top version too.

Lisa said...

Katie, you're a genius! I like the top version too.

Susan said...

so hawt.