An “It’ll do for work.” Dress
Spoiler Alert: This is not a terribly exciting refashion. But it IS a cautionary tale about what happens when you make boring non-daring choices in a refashion! So…let’s begin!
It all started with this dress I found on the 50 cent rack at a nearby Goodwill:
I assume the previous owner died after being mauled by a tiger.
I can see why nobody wanted this one, as it has a pretty major hole in the shoulder. No worries! I can fix that, and fix it I did!
No big deal.
With that shoulder fixed, I got to removing a couple of things I wasn’t too fond of…
Shoulder padding!
Oh joy. A row of buttons right above my ass. How flattering!
Whew! Much better!
I decided to just take this one in a couple of inches on each side.
Just a couple ‘o inches!
I stitched each side down, then serged those rapidly-fraying raw edges!
Serrrrrrrrrrge!
Here’s what it looked like when I was done:
Nice!
I chopped off a ridiculously conservative amount off the bottom…
Meh.
Then I gave it a new hem.
Blah.
And here it is: My totally boring dress that I don’t really care for!
Seriously. :/
And here it is being boring and still-dated-looking from the side!
Not much better, eh? :/
Not even my cool new wig could save it! :/
I feel pretty!
The print is fun, but this frock is still oh-so-frump! :/ I think I’ll re-refashion it!
I feel like I should have taken it in MUCH more and should have gone a good bit shorter as well. I made a couple of boring conservative choices and ended up with a lackluster result. :/
I looked at it and thought, “Eh. It’ll do for work.”, which is exactly the mediocrity I strive to avoid, both in my sewing AND in my personal appearance.
So yeah. I don’t really like this one very much, but hopefully you can learn from my mistakes and not suss out the way I did.
Fortune favors the bold!
Cheers!
Related Posts
Share this:
Like this:
Tags: Year 5
I tend to like more conservative clothing anyway so I appreciate the lack of massive chop for a change (sorry).
I guess I’m old (could be your mother)but I love this. The colors are great and the belt shows off your figure.
I have to say this looks very flattering on you, especially the length. Sometimes trying to make bold fashion choices makes it look like you are trying so so so hard and it ends up looking silly and like you’ve been sewing drunk. I think this one is nice. The print itself is very bold and daring and it makes up for the skimpy length and body hugging tightness.
You’re very tough on yourself…….I think the dress is fanfreakintabulous! The colors are beautiful on you. While you may have played it a bit safe on this one; it’s perfect for the office. It’s also a great length for those who aren’t as lucky as you are to be able to pull off those short short frocks (not all women have great legs). I love your designs and especially loved the one you did the other day with the cowly type back to it. You are very creative and a true whiz at what you do. I like even your simplest of refashions because who has time to pull out all the stops all the time (read NOT ME)!
You’re crazy, this is so cute! It is a little roomier than you’re usually in but it looks great and the print is awesome. Don’t change it.
Jillian, this dress looks better than you think – there are times when you have to dress conservatively, and this does work for that. The print and colors are flattering, as is the belt you added. If you needed to attend a business or church function in the “not artistically creative” world, this would be perfect! Some of us would love wearing this!
Yeah I really like it! You look good in that dress girl! I love the color!
dye it black 🙂
As a creative person myself, I also sometimes get caught up in a certain level of adrenaline that I expect from each product I make. If we don’t get the adrenaline, it kinda feels like a flop, doesn’t it? However, sometimes ‘tried and true’ doesn’t pump up my juice but ends up being a gorgeous piece of work that I actually wear more often because despite being boring, I look so darn good in it.
I think this is one of those. You look better in this boring, weirdo dress than you do in some of your most awesome success pieces. Despite the print, the cut is stylish and quite flattering on your body type, even if it isn’t your preferred style. It may not say “I’m Jillian”, but it sure does say “I’m a gorgeous, classy woman who knows how to draw attention to my personal presence instead of my duds.”
Some days, you just want to say that instead. 🙂
I agree. It is nice to see you not make another really short, tube dress. While you can wear these for much ipof the year and look great, many of us cannot. I like the sleeve length and the shape you get when adding the belt. And you make that fa rice pattern look good!
Chop off more at the bottom. Cut off some of the sleeves. Perhaps change the neckline. Definitely make it thinner on you. Needs something plain to make it pop! Gold belt? White belt? Or perhaps an slanted hem?
A little bit shorter, take it in a little more and bring in the neckline because it’s a little too wide for your slim figure.
I would dye it, change the sleeves, maybe make a V-Neck, and a little shorter/slimmer would be better on you. It still looks good, but I agree that the print and style is a bit dated. Either way, good work. 🙂
i love it…. boring is good sometimes!!! it looks great
Actually, I like it & think it looks good.
One more thing: do you always sew first & then go back & serge? I boldly ‘just serged’ something I’d worked out carefully & pinned, etc…. to a disastrous result.
I think the dress looks great!
I like it! The length does not work because of the footwear choice. Rock some heels! Also, I think the excess fabric under the arm could be improved-altered-modified. The Dolman/Batwings is the only part I don’t really care for.
I really didn’t notice that much of a change but it looks cute on you and I agree , different shoes with a heel would give it a better vibe. Maya flounce around the hem? Maybe?
It is FANTASTIC! Keep it as is. You are a genius!!!!
I agree with some of the others – this dress looks great on you! But if you aren’t feeling the love for it, you can change it! That’s the beauty of being a refashionista (with loads of talent 🙂 I gave it 4 stars!
Actually….I think this dress looks very cute on you! That bold print doesn’t need much in the way of fashion “lines”, the cinched waist worked wonders. AND I love the squared neckline. Buuuutt…..do what you want, it’s YOUR dress. (she whined )
i know that feel, when you aren’t satisfied with what you did, although people around you keep saying it’s fine… see you next time, Inspiration!
woulda totally made a pair of kickin’ pants out of that dress.
I really like it! Lovely. But I guess I am more conservative myself.
Would look nice sleeveless too 🙂
Since you’re not in love with the rehash, here’s an idea. Remove the square neckline, and shorten the sleeves. Use your serger to do a rolled hem edge on the neck and sleeves. Add a several rows of elastic thread to the neck line and sleeves. This should allow you to wear the dress off the shoulders for a night out and on the shoulders for work.
“Oh joy. A row of buttons right above my ass. How flattering!” Oh that made me laugh!!! I think the dress looks great; maybe even better than some of the other refashes! Love your stuff!!!
Remove the sleeves and it will come to life!
This refashion is fantastic! I love the whole look. Perhaps your mirror needs a polish? :).
It looks fantastic on you, and it makes you look older and more conservative, but if that’s not making you comfortable then have at it again! I wouldn’t want to wear something too young for me, and I can understand you not wanting to wear something too conservative for the same reasons.
I actually love the dress and think it looks fabulous on you. It’s not short and sassy but sometimes you want something different. it looks good on you and the colours really suit you too. I love the square neckline and the way you belted it. Super nice!
I like the longer hemline, you should do more of them! However, the print is um…hopeless
I am a HUGE fan of this one! I find most of your dresses to be quite short so I’m a fan of this more sophisticated length. And can we talk about those colors against your coloring?! The pattern looks great on you. I also like the dolman appearance when you belted it. I love this one. It is one of my faves.
I think this one’s really cute on you! Hey, are you making a Halloween costume to post this week? :)) Would love to see that.
I really love this creation. The length and the cut are perfect, you just need some killer heels to pull this all off and perhaps a thinner belt. Then work it like you’re on the runway! Looks great on you!
I think if you took in the armpits for a more fitted look at the top and sleeve with would be a really cute long sleeved dress. Or, with that great neckline it could look great as a tank dress and you could wear a cardigan with it.but my tastes are pretty classic (boring?)
I agree with you windwife., the loose armpit/overly drapey sleeves aren’t flattering. More fitted cap sleeves or as a tank dress would be great!
Looking forward to its exciting re-refashion! I think it looks cute but there is room for improvement, especially if you’re not satisfied.
I think it’s cute, I would concentrate on different accessories. Or turn it in to a top.
Leave a Reply
Let’s Get Social
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Join 11,672 other subscribers