Happy Christmas Eve, errrrybody! :D
When I needed a festive frock to wear to my supper club’s annual White Elephant gift exchange, I went for this one that has been languishing on my refashion rack for over a year. I almost refashioned it last year, but got caught up in the hustle, bustle, and (let’s be honest) procrastination of the season and it never happened.
…Until now!

I’m sure this is some sort of costume from some sort of Christmas play.

Yeah…this wasn’t going to cut it. My thought was to take this pioneer dress and turn it into a sort of kimono-ish dress.
I’m not sure whether I succeeded. I’ll let you decide.
But first, let’s take a moment to make fun of the label:

It was time to get a choppin’! First, I removed the buttons from the front of the dress, as i found them frumpy and lame.

Then, I cut a slit down the front of the neck of the dress. My plan was to turn it into a sort of sweetheart v-neck…once again, trying to evoke a kimono-ish look.

I folded each side of the V down, pinned it and stiched the new neckline. Did I take a picture of this process? No. I did not. I’m bad bad blogger who is out of practice and will undoubtedly get coal in my stocking tomorrow.
A few more cuts followed.


Next, I stitched the two ends of the side sashy-things together.

I then got to work at taking in the skirt of the dress.


After cutting off the excess fabric with my pinking shears, I hemmed the bottom of the dress and the sleeves.

Anywho…hemming…

As I stitched away, I was filled with anxiety. My thread was running out. WOULD I MAKE IT? Or would I have to rethread????

Fortunately, I had juuuuust enough thread to finish the job. Whew!
I gave my new dress a good press…

…and then headed off to the party!

My friends complimented me on my Austrian (?) garb, so methinks I failed fairly hard at my intended theme. But I still think the frock looks cute. Whaddyasay?

I hope you enjoyed this festive trip down ReFashionista Lane! Merry Christmas to all!
Cheers!
Totally cute and great way to refashion!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
You inspire me ! Merry Christmas.
Cute Gillian,but I think the sleeves need some work. Still too big for your tiny frame. Merry Christmas
I agree about the sleeves. Maybe you could’ve used the red cuffs and made them right above your elbow.
Or, the whole thing would make a really cute Christmas Apron!
Girl, where u been? You could wear a brown paper sack and look adorable. Nice Christmas colors. It’s a keeper.
Merry Christmas! Even if you go MIA for months and months, I get excited whenever I see you have a new blog post! Love your creativity, love that you show your process, mistakes and all, and that you do it with such humor. Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for being you!
Very cute refashion but please don’t leave us for so long again! Merry Christmas to you and yours, hoping your Christmas isn’t too manic Karen x
So excited to see your post in my inbox. Cute remake.
Love the sleeves! Super cute
Glad to see you again and have a wonderful christmas!!
I need to do that exact same neckline thing to a dress I have. How do you deal with the point of the V so that I won’t rip or fray?
Merry Christmas! Your tree looks great So nice to hear from you again.
Cute! And I love your tree and your living room!!
I HAVE MISSED YOU!!
I have to ask, how did you dye your sofa?
You are as cute as a button! (Not one of the frumpy ones, haha!) Thanks for the holiday treat!
Merry Christmas to you! Glad to see your post today! Cute dress, lose the sleeves?
You look like an adorable Santa’s helper! Have so missed your blog posts! Welcome back!
Considering where this dress began, I think dirndl was too deeply embedded in its “DNA.” No matter. It turned out totally ready to Christmas party! Even your trees are dressed in their best. I only put lights on mine this year. And, BTW, do you ever use the fabric left over from your refashionista-ing? Some would work for quilts; others would look to be large enough to feature in other clothing. I need to get sewing in the new year. You and Lauren Taylor (lladybird) will definitely be inspirations. Merry Christmas!
I have missed your comical cut ups! Love seeing what you’re up to.
What a delight to get one of your refashions in my email on Christmas Eve!! I have missed You! Have a wonderful Christmas!! Your tree, couch, n house are adorable. You have to tell us how you dyed your couch!
What a lovely Christmas surprise to find a new post on your blog! Dress is so cute! Merry Christmas!
Great to hear from you again! Love your blog. To a very talented lady – Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year.
From up north in Asheville,NC
Glad to see you’re still alive and as adorable as ever! Miss your face! Please post more this year.
Cute! I missed your posts! Nice to see them again
So excited to see a post from you! What a great Christmas present :)
So glad to see you back again- I’ve missed reading your posts!! I’m about to do some serious Goodwill/American Cancer Society Thrift Shop/Jewish Women’s Council Thrift Shop shopping on my winter break, and need inspiration!!
Hi Jillian, Happy to see your post! Love your humor. Merry Christmas!!
So great to see you again. Merry christmas!
Jillian for the win! Its cute!! Good job. Merry Christmas!
Good to get another post from you! Definitely rocking the Christmas Elf look with this refashion – just perfect for the holidays!
Glad you are back!! You have kept this ol’ lady amused and inspired. Merry Christmas, Jillian!
LOL, the Austrian comment was spot on!
This made me think of you. Hope you get to participate. Good $$$ prizes!
https://recovergirl.wordpress.com/2017/12/23/first-annual-project-upcycle/
Merry xmas!
Verry cute (on you). What a great present to get a post from you in my email!! Thanks!
Love it! Good to see a post from you! Merry Christmas!
Ello stranger! Merry Christmas! Thanks for putting a smile on my face today!
Yay, you’re back! Thank you! Darling and creative as ever!
Very cute
I think I saw that dress on a vintage good housekeeping cover
I was just thinking the other day how much I missed your posts
What a great Xmas present to see you again
Love your place as well
Happy Holidays and as always thanks for sharing
The buttons you cut off are called Owl buttons. They may be very old. Cute remake..
I enjoy your refashioning posts and hearing about your adventures! Don’t stay away too long! Merry Christmas to you!
So happy to see you happy. Have a wonderful Christmas and the happiest new year ever
Welcome back. I’ve missed you.
Merry Christmas! Great refashion, Hope to more in 2018!
Love seeing you again! I’ve missed your refashion surprises!
Oh girl, you rock on so many levels!!! The best Christmas, uh… “card” EVER!!!
Merry Christmas! Is it just me, or does the skirt look rumply, like it needs an anti-static spray or something? Or maybe that’s just very Austrian, lol! I commend your talents and enjoy your posts so much!! Peace, and I Love your Christmas tree!
I like it! Merry Christmas and so nice to see a post again. I have missed you!
Love your makeovers
Merry Christmas! Great to see you today, back sewing and giving us a fresh remake. Have missed you.
Lovely! Glad you’re back!
I literally was thinking about how I was wishing for a post from you. It’s a Christmas Miracle. Miss seeing your posts in my inbox.
You’re the cutest elf ever!! Merry Christmas sweetie!!
Love it! You’re adorable!!!
Love it! As always. Thrilled to see another refashion!
Absolutely wonderful to see you! 2018 is the year I attempt a fashion of my own. :-)
What a lovely surprise to see your post – I’ve really missed them. Happy Christmas.
Love the dress. Everything looks so cute on you. Love the tree & your house. We are all so glad to see you again & hope 2018 is better than ever for you. We have missed you. Merry Christmas!
Good to see you! A very Happy Christmas, and yes your tree is lovely :)
Really nice refashion. Love your tree. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. I love your livingroom; it is really nice and cozy. Wish mine looked like that. Don’t make the next refashion so far away.
You’re back! You’ve been missed. I don’t think this is the frock for you. :(
But, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I like the short tie to the front.Much better. So happy to see you again. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Cute refashion. Not particularly kimono-ish, though. A beer stein in each hand would not look amiss. You look fetching, as always. Excited to see you in my inbox!
Was just thinking about you the other day………….missed your blog. Hope you’re back!
Love it! Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy new year!
I’ve really missed reading your posts!! So glad to see this today! Merry Christmas and great dress ♥️
Happy Christmas! Lovely that you got chance to blog & even better that it was a Christmas dress xxx
Maybe you could make it look like a dirndl instead of kimono, if people think it looks Austrian. The original looked kind of like one. Just a thought :)
Not one of your best ): But so good to see you back! I usually love your ideas & your work! Merry Christmas!
Love the waist tie! Happy Holidays!
Awesome job, Merry Christmas!!!!
So glad to see you and your creations!
Hello! Merru Christmas, nice to see you! I think it didn’t end up in Japan, but it still ended up in a nice new place – call it Colombus dress!
Always makes me happy to see your blogs. Wish you would go back to doing it monthly at least. You’ve inspired me to refashion some dresses and sweaters and I thank you for that.
Glad to see one of your posts. Love your writing style and images you post. Hope to see more of you in 2018!~
Where have you been? Hope you had a wonderful Holiday. How does one dye a sofa?
Love this refash.
When you are taking a chance of running out of thread when sewing that is called sewing or stitching roulette.
really nice dress, you look good in it hope you had a great time this Christmas and happy New Year
So glad to see you in action again! You have been missed,
I missed you!
So happy to see you pop back up in my inbox! I love the new look, so perfect for Christmas!
Oh woman, you do amazing shit with old clothes! Your refashions are more inspiring than anything else I get on my pinterest-inbox or any other.
Going through a few of those posts here I want to add: Yes, you have been missed here and yes, I’d love to see you more often but you do what is good for you. You live your life for you, not for us. And I don’t care if this sounds pathetic.
Keep your head high, you are amazing!
My heart skipped a beat when I had an email that you posted! Jillian, you always look amazing and you are a true inspiration to me. Your blog has inspired me to sew/refashion but as a thirty-something (this is not going to come out right no matter what I say) living the single-but-pursuing-life, I often think you and how you always are positive, unabashed, and unafraid. You inspire me to be as badass as you are and I wish you all the best Jillian!
Sincerely,
Amy
Your tree looks amazing – the organza ribbon is especially effective. The dress looks a lot better! Totally love the waist tie but I think you should take in the bodice at the sides more to better show off your amazing figure and maybe change to flutter sleeves so they don’t overpower the rest of the dress. More importantly PLEASE tell us how you dyed your sofa!!