The Best Ugly Christmas Sweater Dress EVER: A DIY/Upcycle
When a staffer at our local newspaper, The State contacted me and asked if I’d like to do an Ugly Christmas Sweater refashion for them to feature in their Life & Style section, I of course said yes.
What followed was some 40 or so emails where they wanted me to either make a tacky sweater normal or make a normal sweater tacky (How uninspired!) and me refusing to do that and instead insisting on making a ballgown out of a BUNCH of Christmas sweaters.
I’m very stubborn. 🙂
I don’t have a full tutorial of this refashion, but here are some behind-the scenes pics:
And here’s a video from The State where I explain my process (and yes, I know my voice is weird, okay?). 🙂
Everything got all nice & stitched together, and now….
BEHOLD!!!!!!!!!
Of course, I don’t just make dresses to not be seen! My fahhhhhbulous new frock enjoyed an Ugly Christmas Sweater Bar Crawl with some of my favorite people!
And look what I saw first thing this morning! 🙂
You can read the full article right here! 🙂
Big Mondo Major thanks to The State for letting me play. 🙂 This is my absolute favorite project to date. I’m really proud of it, and I hope you guys like it too. 🙂
Cheers!
146 Comments
Kathrine Wilson Gluvna
Jill, you are so clever! I enjoy your blog very much. PS: Your voice is not weird. Kate
Cheryl Johnson Benjamin
She is so talented!
Amanda Cole
Best thing I’ve seen all day 🙂
Nancy
Amazing. Best ugly christmas sweater I’ve ever seen.
Cathy
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Wonderful job! But it is obscene that you can wear sleeveless in December while the rest of us are freezing to death! Just sayin’ !
Michelle
I’m glad you were stubborn with The State. Their ideas: boring. Your idea: fantastic!
blissinger
Very creative! You really have the strapless bodice thing down. And the sweaters you used were the ultimate in tacky! You inspire me to try sewing sweaters, which I’ve always thought I couldn’t do. Only thing I wondered…is it itchy?
puppiesinparadise
Jill, the Christmas sweater evening gown was genious. It fit great as well. You have inspired me back to my sewing machine. I have had fun this winter sewing in my free time. This is are darkest time of year. It has been amazing picking up my hobby of sewing again.
Honey
Amanda
I absolutely love your blog! Im a Regional Sales Manager and get a lot of emails all day; however I find myself waiting / looking for yours so that I can take a break and see your next project. Anyway, awesome job, love what you do, enjoy reading and seeing the pics, and congrats on the newspaper pic!!! Well deserved.
Ree Cee
You’ve taken the tacky to sublime. Well done.Surely the AP will pick up this story. Or you can give it a little push and submit it – it’s too good not to share with the world.
sewcookgardenrepeat
I’m straight up stealing this idea. 😀 Ah-may-zing!!!!
Kristen B
This makes me think that a black tie Ugly Sweater part needs to happen.
Daniela
The dress is AMAZING! Love love love it!
K
More fun that the law allows!!! I love this!!!
cricutbarista
It’s amazing and you look amazing in it!
Rachel
That is absolutely fabulous!
dee
Awesome!!Have a Merry little Christmas!
alcessa
Oooohhhhh … this is SO AWESOME! 🙂 WOW.
Olivia
Jill, you are having entirely too much fun! Love your blog & your creativity is inspiring, I can sip wine and create vicariously through you 🙂 If you’re ever up in Roanoke look me up!
Olivia
Rockfish Food & Wine
Susan Wright-Boucher
What a great job you did — and I can imagine that was no minor project. Re the voice: no weirdness detected at all. 🙂
Heather
I must say, this is my favorite refashion from you to date! I love how this one is really out of the box!
MiceWork
Hey there, lovely Jill! I really, really like your blog. I’ve been following it for quite some time now! Love the fact that you made a video for this post and I hope to see more videos from you soon!
Becky
Oh my goodness that is beautiful! Great job you are so
Talented!!!!
Annette Ornelas
Love Love Love
Claudia
Jillian you are SOOOOO inspiring ! This is what I am wearing for Xmas too ! Although it is MUCH colder in the great white North so I will definitely have some sleeves !!! I am definitely going hunting for ugly Xmas sweaters when I am on vacation on Friday !!! I’ll post my creation on my blog, Sewliltime. Thanks for this post !!!
Kim Harne
That is flipping amazing! It would make the Grinch’s heart grow at least three sizes (and he’d probably want to wear it). Congrats on another stunner!
Lisa
that dress IS the party!
Melissa
How adorable!!! Love it!
Victoria S Andrews
Probably one of my favorites that you have shown us! You looked marvelous !
Kathy
I love it! I’m so glad you insisted on doing the dress. It’s incredible!
Kat
Fantastic! I’m inspired to make my own tacky Xmas sweater dress-but maybe only cocktail length 🙂
jackie burkart
To date your best design ever! Just Fabulous!
Michelle Swetland
I can’t even tell you how awesome this dress is! This is a masterpiece ! Love it, love it, Love it!
Dori Duncan
FABULOUS!!!!!!!!
Trish
You are definitely beyond creative. That is such a fabulous idea!!! I love it!!
eri-chan
you have officially won christmas.
nikki
I want this so bad I may have to find some and make one!
marie1846
Just love it. Amazing work! You look beautiful.
Sydney
WOWSER!!! Indeed, one of your best! Joyous Noel to you and your vast group of friends and followers!!
MJ
WOW! And this is why people should sew – SO MUCH FUN! Love you and your blog!!
Cynthia Anderson
Okay, that is your very best ever! Love the shape of the dress and the placement of the various sweater bits. You RULE in upcycling! Cynthia
socalgardeneats
Oh Jesus, this was awesome.
Charise
Off the charts. Just speechless.
Joanne
You are awesome! Love it!
Shar
Fantastic dress and you wear it with style. I love your positive, can do attitude. Keep on spreading your happiness ⭐️
elste
you look stunning. well done
LJ
Absolutely gorgeous… Both the dress and you!
Anna Deslorieux
Yet another fabulous refashion from our favourite Refashionista. What a fun idea perfectly executed! P.S. Your voice is your voice. Own it, don’t excuse it!
Kaylie
Jillian, you are so artistically talented. From your writing to your creative work. I too am a petite girl with a strong voice, and have dealt with comments from others indicating that it’s weird or unusual. But hey, if we sounded like everyone else or if we fit into their “Normal Box” than would we be so Rockin’?
Jillian, Thank you for sharing your awesomeness with so many!
Happy Holidays!
Sally
I’m in no way a dress girl, and this is absolutely fabulous!
Marilyn
Love it!!!!
Laura
This dress is beautiful! Glad you went with your gut!
Gail
I am sorry, but I don’t think it’s tacky at all. I have a Christmas party that is cocktail attire and I would love something like this. I wish I had your talent and figure to make something like this.
Sofia
Your voice is not weird! And your “style voice” is awesome! Great and fun project!
krzmarzick
Wow! You look fantastic in this creation!
Venita Elaine
Awesome and very creative….
Sarah
Absolutely hands down the best refash you have EVER done! And you have done some pretty good ones! Good job for sticking to your guns! It is lovely…if that is the right word for a tacky sweater gown!
Lisa
You are absolutely the most fascinating, most creative, ingenious person I ever came across…. You look absolutely stunning… Beautifully done…
Kate Hansen
I don’t normally comment, but I wanted to tell you that you knocked it out of the park! Well done, Lady. Well done.
Tiger Lily
Stubborn? I call it creative to the max! Best ever.
Danielle
I never usually comment on blogs but this is just too cool. Congrats on such a great project, love your blog!
E Wall
Awesome! Love it!
Michelle
I just LOVED it how creative your rock girl !!!!!!!! 🙂
Annette Deardurff
Absolutely the best refashion EVER!! You are simply AMAZING!!!!
Shelley
Best thing you’ve made yet!! So creative and gorgeous as well! Love it!
Melissa
BRAVO!! You look amazing! It’s a one of a kind original – and so are you! 🙂
Susan
Best ever!
Alanna
I would wear the HECK out of that gown..tacky sweater party or not! 😀
Pat
You are, indeed, a genius. And you have such a great voice. I never expected such a voice! Quite a surprise and impressive. Only you could make a Frankengown look so elegantly ugly! Congrats on the newspaper spread, too. All kudos received for you were deserved!!!
CC
The only way I would EVER wear an ugly Christmas sweater. So creative!
Connie
This might be your most creative refashion yet. Love the dress and it looks great on you. Your voice is not weird, it just sounds weird to you because usually you hear it inside your head instead of from a recording. I am a big fan of yours, just sayin.
Pet Phillips
I am absolutely floored by this dress! I’ve never seen anything like it… I may have to break out the old sewing machine! Thanks for inspiring me.
maureen
This is the pinnacle !
Daftcow
I’m so having a go at this
ncnguyen514
This is AMAZING! I love it!
kellyac
It’s soooo beautiful! Congratulations!
Lynnie
Omg that dress is awesome! Who knew someone could take a pile of ugly sweaters and turn them in to the coolest Christmas dress I’ve ever seen. You are amazing!
Medusa Dollmaker
Holy cow this is amazing!!
Mollie D
Honey, you have to stop fixating on your voice! Yes, you will probably not make a career in voice over work, but it’s NOT weird. And this is AWESOME!
versatilestylebytracey
Fantastic! So glad you stuck to your guns and let your creativity flow!
Bethany
It’s no secret why this is your fave refashion so far. Great job!
Mary
Ditto all the above, love it!!
nicole
Amazing! So creative. I love it!
Autumn
That is just too cool! And I hate to say it, but I don’t think it’s “ugly”, it looks great!
Priscilla Beno
Great looking dress. Took Ugly Sweater to a new level. kudos!!
Stacy Clark
Love it, love it, love it sooooooo much!!!
The Herb Lady
LOL! You go, girl!
Ms Mur
This is the most amazing dress ever! If ugly sweater gowns become a thing it will be because of you. Glad you’re stubborn and did your own thing!
Lynne
Awesome!!
Flo
That is awesome and hilarious and fun all at the same time, great job!!!
totrockmom
I’m not one to jump on the ugly sweater craze, and you’ve heard this before, but this dress really is inspiring. Thank you!
Andrea Howard
Awesome! You and the dress are stunning. You really raised the bar high.
karen
this has to be one of my fav refashions evah!! It is fabulously festive!
Emily V
This is AMAZING. I’ve been getting so sick of the typical ugly sweater parties but this is so unique. Epic.
Joyce
Only you would have thought of this Jillian – I love it, & you look stunning in it! And there is not a thing wrong with your lovely voice!
RoseMary Layosa
Not, only was the dress sweater gorgeous, You looked fabulous!!
Marisa Means
You look marvelous! Great dress.
opalspeacock
Fabulous! This is the so the best of yours yet and you look awesome!
Karla
I love love love this refash!!!! This dress is so great it makes the “ugly sweaters” look fabulous. . You look gorgeous in this dress.
Jamie
I have been reading your blog for a few years now and i have to say this is my all time favorite!!!
Gina
Its not ugly its amazing. You need to host an “Ugly Sweater Ball” next year! Heck ill fly out to attend. Great job!!!
Jill Schwieger
I believe it must be unanimous….BEST EVER MAKEOVER! You trendsetter, you……
Emma
Wow and wow again! I really love it. I hope I get to experience a Winter Christmas one day just so I can try this. I’d roast on a hot NZ beach wearing that.
KC
You have a lovely, friendly voice, and you are rocking that sweater dress.
Victoria
Wow! You rock! That dress is amazing!
Victoria
I watched the video, your voice sounds fine! 🙂
Ninutschka
Oh my god! this is a really amazing refashion! where did you get all this sweaters?
Kelly
Fave refash from you to date – hands down. that’s amazing!
Diane
As usual, absolutely AMAZING!
mishqueen
I considered myself a homemade ugly sweater genius, but no more. You, my friend, are the queen and ruler of them all. I commend you!
amy
You are brilliant and you have the best haircut ever.
Erin
Fantastic!!!!!
laurpud
So awesome!
Ruth Mack
This is so fantastic! I love that you used pattern pieces for it, I would love to see more of that on this blog just for a little change of pace!
Kiki
You are so inspiring! This was so “you” and Im glad you went with your gut. This is one for the books.
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
JL
Jillian,
You win the ugly sweater universe! This dress is amazing and I can’t wait until next year to make my own franken-sweater-dress.
Also, your voice is beautiful, just like you are. Speak love upon yourself sista! 🙂
J
Lora
Because of your blog, I am purchasing a sewing machine this weekend and I’m going to teach myself to sew. Although this sounds like a broken record, you truly are inspiring! I look forward to each new post and this refash is simply OUTSTANDING! You are one-of-a-kind!
Kristina
Absolutely stunning. I love it!
Judy
This is great – and I hate Xmas sweaters – its inspired me to think what other hideous monstrosities could be transformed by sewing them together – Rugs maybe?
Shelia
Jill, this is the best yet! I Love Love Love it! Wish I would of thought of it.
I so enjoy your blog. Happy Holidays to you.
Murielle
Fun, fashionable, and fantastic! That’s the way to rock the challenge.
smithtabbyTeresa
You’ve done it again! Cute!
Demaris
YOU NAILED THAT CHALLENGE!
Rhonda
Hi, I was just wondering after hearing your voice, do you have a good singing voice? It sounds like you would. Thank you for all your great ideas!
ReFashionista
Ha! I DID used to sing competitively back many many moons ago… 🙂
Nicole
This is too perfect
Chera
This is seriously fabulous! If I ever went to an ugly sweater party, I would want a dress like this!
Les Becker
You do NOT have a “weird” voice! You have a FABULOUS voice! I loved this post – you should do video all the time.
mart65
That rules.
With Love, Rhianna
Amazing!
Raymonde
I love your dress! It gives so much hope to ugly Christmas sweaters everywhere!
As a voice-over artist, I can tell you that your voice is lovely, not weird at all.
It might sound weird to you but that’s just because it sounds different from what you hear when you speak.
Don’t worry, that’s what it does to everyone. 🙂
Penelope
I love your creativity…you have upped the Christmas sweater to an art form! Way to go!
yumyummoany
Cor, fabuloso!
crudeandcrass
this is the best one you’ve done and i’ve been following from the beginning. SO. FREAKING. GOOD. never have commented before but HAD to over this.
crudeandcrass.com
jenny_o
“Bam!” is exactly right!! This is so cool 🙂 And you could be a model, you know. Just saying. A model who likes to be happy and have fun instead of being all pouty and angry looking 🙂
Kathy C
Gorgeous – you and your dress! I have to try this. Ugly sweaters, Beware. I am on the hunt!
Gina
How about a Christmas bolero or cape to go with that fabulous ballgown.
clayo
What a SWELL dress and what a great press piece!! Now THAT’S what to do with Tacky Christmas Sweaters. Very well done, sleek well-executed, well-fitting design, with your usual touch of humor. Superb! Merry Christmas to you and all of your supporters. I always enjoy this group!
Kathy Ursprung
You made Christmas magic with this one.
Charlotte
Wow! That dress is amazing, I know what I’ll be making for next years Christmas Jumper Day.
Gina
You need to get a fancy backdrop with the lighting for your refashiones in the new year. It makes a world of difference. Fabulous job
Em Age
This is so awesome!!!! I’d buy it immediatelly. 😀
Dina
Beyond amazing! And, “Frankendress”, I’m cracking up here.
Juls
WOW! Your recreative vision is awesome, you have an amazing talent! I came across your blog today and totally love what you do and the humour you present it with!! Fan-f***ing-tastic! you rock with this blog, keep it up! .. and your self deprecating humour, I hope it’s not real because you are so fantastic, so believe you are the best, because you are!
matkailijakirppu
Just saw this project of yours from last year and it is super fab! 🙂
Onesma
Absolutely, Positively in LOVE with this Re-fash!! you did a wonderful job. I wish I was half as tzalented as you!!! (I am still learning to sew but you are an inspiration!!