From Frumpy Dress to Funky Sweater!
Hiya! Wow! No posts in over a week! What the heck?!?
Ugh. I’ve been crazy busy lately with taking care of any loose ends at my old job so I can go to my new one, as well as a bit under the weather with some awful lung gunk that’s been circulating around Columbia, SC.
But I’m back! And I want to show you my newest $1 dress!
I love that dark blue and those bracelet-length sleeves! I was also intrigued when I discovered I’m a size 12!
With temps dropping below freezing, I just couldn’t bring myself to keep this as a dress. Plus, I have plenty of blue dresses already! Do you know what I don’t have nearly enough of? Cozy warm sweaters!
A big chop had to happen!
Don’t worry! I have plans for that bottom scrap!
I got to hemming the bottom of my new sweater. I used a zigzag stitch and stitched riiiiight on the edge of my new hem to keep it from fraying.
Yay! My sweater was done…but it wasn’t terribly exciting. :/ So, I reached for my spool ‘o ribbon and cut off two different lengths.
Next, I stitched each raw edge of each piece of ribbon down.
I pinned the ribbon bits onto my sweater…
…then I stitched them both down!
I pressed my ribbon accents down, and my new sweater was ready to head off to hang out with my friend, Michael Krajewski!
I really like this one! I think my new sweater is sort of a more modern take on a 1960’s style!
After hanging out for a bit at Michael’s studio, we hopped on over to Motor Supply for some yummy seasonal cocktails! 🙂
The weather outside was frightful, but we stayed happy and cozy with our warming libations!
Michael and I have a pretty exciting collaboration coming up that I can’t wait to share with you (mystery is exciting!)
Cheers!
29 Comments
Jill Schwieger
I love your simple makeover! A makeover doesn’t have to be huge and complicated to be a total success….sometimes good bones are already there, and YOU just know how to recognize and use them beautifully!
BeingZhenya
Your friend looks like Johnny Depp! Better tell him I said that 🙂
~Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
Dina's Days (@DinasDays)
This is awesome! I wish I knew how to sew, I always give my thrift ‘transformations’ to my mom or friend to help me. It’s probably good that I don’t know how to sew because I’d be at the thrift store every day finding gems!
blankenmom
As someone who wears dresses only when forced to, I am very excited to see a non-dress refash! Getting ideas already – thanks!
diaryofamadmama
Love the ribbon accent! So groovy! 🙂 And it looks so comfy cozy too!
And I can’t wait to hear about your collaboration!
~Jen
http://diaryofamadmama.wordpress.com
Jo H.
And just like that, two pieces of ribbon change the whole look of that top … dang, you’re good 🙂
Jennifer
I agree with you about posting the measurements. Because of the all the vanity sizing that goes on in US fashion, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what size you really are. I don’t even follow the recommended charts because sometimes that sizing was waaay off. I can’t tell you how many times I followed the sizing chart and ended up sending the garment back because it was waaaaaaay too big! When I shopped RTW, the salespeople thought I was nuts because I was always measuring the garment with measuring tape before I tried it on.
P.S. – I like the dress-to-sweater conversion. The ribbon gives an interesting focal point.
P.S.S. – DOUGLAS!!! AWWWWWWW!! I think I’m going to start a Douglas Fan Club.
Jo
St Michael – that is Marks & Spencers old label from the UK. A vintage find that has travelled! Sweet!
Leona Shat-Holahan
Bonus points for ribbon usage to modernize. Nice.
Vickie
Great makeover, I especially like the ribbon, clever.
Angelfairydust
Actually it’s a us size 8
Three sites gave the same
http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/infopages/SizeGuide/pgesizechart.aspx
Lovely bytheway
Angelfairydust
Didn’t want you to feel fatter than you are lol
Kathy
My guess is that the dress had shrunk in the wash and so your new sweater is probably a size 6. I’m definitely going to keep a sweater refash in mind the next time I see a sweater dress. Cute!
Lisa Hamel
I can’t believe this got such a low star rating!
I love it, and the ribbon detail is perfect! It really looks like something you could find in a high-end shop. 🙂
Jude
ewww ribbon is a no go for me on that. But you’re the one wearing it 🙂 cute refash otherwise 🙂
Deborah
Yep – St Michael was Marks and Spencer when it was proper quality (gone downhill over the last couple of decades)…but they do make lovely moussaka!
Jane
I’ve never cut a sweater either, but I may give it a go now.
Christine L
I love it! Such a great color.
Marjori
OK, I just have to say that when I saw the thumbnail on Facebook, I totally thought you were sitting with Johnny Depp! LOL! Oh, and the sweater is cuuute!
Kathy
Me too!
Karen Sava Critter
St Michael that was Marks and Spencers in England and was quality but classic back in the day, and was known for knickers that didnt fall apart.
Lisa Hamel
So interesting! I knew it must be vintage from the sizing, but I love that it came from Marks and Spencers!
clare
I love the sweater. BTW your hair looks terrific.
Dee
Very nice! Thought you’d be interested to know your St. Michael dress is British, from retailer Marks & Spencer, and converts to a US size 10. I love your blog! (Fellow Sandlapper) http://www.85b.org/dress_conv.php.
Debbie
Very cute. I’ve never been brave enough to cut on a sweater, but I may jump in there.
Michelle Swetland
I have had the same lung gunk here in Cleveland going on two weeks now! Being home for that amount of time and bring sick is boring! I was wondering what you were up to! Misery loves company! And I sure love that sweater simple but chic!
Jillian Lyons
That sweater is gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Love it!
Kerry Lea Higginbotham
Really like the new sweater!!!!!
Kristin
Love it! Love the styling and the ribbon was a great accent! Looks cozy and fantastic n you.