
How to Remove an Elastic Waistband from a Dress
Columbia SC (the city in which I reside) has been through a lot lately.
The Midlands have been hit with devastation like I had never seen before.
Saturday’s rain had nothing on Sunday morning. The waters rose…swallowing entire neighborhoods. Roads collapsed. Local businesses were destroyed. People died. Newscasters became increasingly panicked as the flooding worsened.
All of this happened while I was safe on higher ground, but unable to get to anywhere where I could be of any help as the surrounding roads were flooded or closed.
I’ve held off on sharing the refashion I made that day, as it just felt wrong. For me to have escaped completely unscathed while others lost so much seems unfair. My friends also skirted disaster (though barely for some).
This was a day when I needed something to occupy my hands.
I began with this ill fitting elastic-waisted dress.
This is a sad & misshapen elastic-waisted dress that I can imagine looking good on anyone. At all.
At first, I thought I’d just turn it into a fun stripey top. So, I picked off the elastic…
Then, I snipped off the top from the bottom…right along the serged seam.
I put the top part on and realized my midriff was out there for all the world (or in this case Douglas) to see.
Yikes.
No. Just no.
It looked like this piece was going to stay a dress after all!
I decided to make the button-up back of the dress the front.
I also got creative with the button placement. I thought it would look a bit more mod with the placket off to one side.
I laid out my top and bottom pieces, prepping the bottom for a side trim.
I snipped off about 3 inches from the top of the bottom part, as well as that unneeded fabric from the side.

Next, I stitched down the side I had just cut off.
Now it was time to bring the two pieces together!
I pinned the two sides together, with the right-side-out parts facing each other, like so:
The reattachment process continued, as I stitched the two pieces together.
My dress wasn’t quite the right size when I tried it on. No biggie!
I just took in in a smidge.
For my last trick, I stitched down the front placket.
I had to use the closest thing I had to maroon thread in my alternative sewing locale.
And here’s how it turned out!
I’m really happy with this one, and was equally happy to have something to do that day.
Columbia is no longer underwater, but there is much work to be done to restore the parts of the city that were decimated in the flood.
It’s inspiring to see how everyone has come together to help each other through this terrible time. And the need for helpers and resources isn’t going away any time soon.
Please keep SC in your thoughts.


97 Comments
Suzette
Love your blog. So fun to see the transformation.
Pamela
Very cute!! I too try to keep busy during stressful times.
Glad to hear you’re ok, I know how scary & unnerving flooding can be (Houston, TX here).
Sana Khara
Hi Jill, you turned a boring ill fitting dress into something smart and cute. Perfect for your figure.
i have a couple of question.
1. You make so many refashion clothes, what do you do with them?
2. Do you buy new clothes anymore?
ReFashionista
Thanks! 🙂 To answer your questions, I either keep them or donate them to a thrift shop that supports a charity I believe in. 🙂 I RARELY buy anything new. 99% of my wardrobe is used or refashioned.
Marissa Nielsen
LOVE THIS remake!
Laura
Very very cute – loved how you recreated this guy.
Glad that you are safe – flooding can be so scary and damaging!
xo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
Jessi
I’m obsess with your blog now!! I’m in now way a refashionista or can sew to save my own life lol but really enjoy seeing your pieces!!!
Lalee
Now this is really cute.The changed neckline is perfect and the offset row of buttons gives your frock a bit of the sassy that you defiantly are.. so glad you escaped the flooding.Im in Calif and we suffered the opposite of water, Fires! Same total destruction of paradise as we knew it.
Beverly
I love your courage to take a seam ripper and a pair of scissors to an item. Such insight! I too am in SC. Charleston where all that water came. We were out of school for three days but dealing with mole now…yuck!
Chris Stoneman
You are freaking amazing. I have a “Michelle digger” Jean dress I picked up at value village. You are giving me so many ideas! You make the world a better place!
Julie Davey
Love your vision and ability to see possibilities. Just wish you’d leave some of the obviously REALLY too large items alone for those of us who need them to be able to refashion too! It’s a lot harder to do starting with a garment that is too small. I don’t live near you so it doesn’t affect me directly. But I can’t help but think of all the plus size women who might have needed a dress when I see you’ve cut one down enough to make a whole other dress!
Angie
Love this!
Terri T.
Thinking of your lovely and our “sister state” as it recovers from the flooding. <3 Your dress remake is more like a magic trick. Wow, what a transformation!
Maria Tracey
Love this! You are awesome!
Helen
Glad you’re all ok and that your creative spirit rises over the food waters. The dress is a miracle- it was a definite goner- and you made it adorbs.
Flo
Glad to hear that everything is okay with you, I too was hoping that all was fine. Cool dress, you took it from drab to chic!
Hazel
WOW! One of the best of your awesome refashions. Thanks for the creative inspiration, as always!
Kimber
Your amazing. Hope you keep it up.
Lori
Brilliant! I wasn’t sure how you were going to pull this one off, but you did an amazing job! Love your creativity!
lialou
Now that is a darn cute dress, you really are a talented gal! My prayers go out to the folks in SC, for speedy recovery to the recent flooding and safety to all those that are assisting in the dig out. Take care and stay high n dry!
JLO
most awesome! definitely one of your best refashions!!
Karen G.
Adorable!! Sending good, safe, dry thoughts to you and yours in SC
jenny_o
You did it again – great job. Keeping everyone there in my thoughts. Nature can be very destructive – it’s scary.
Sally Gradle
This one is adorable.
Joyce
I’ve been thinking about you from up here in Charlotte & hoping you came through the flood unscathed. So glad to hear you & your friends are ok, Jillian, & this dress is one of my all time favorites! I lived in Columbia many years ago & loved it & have been keeping South Carolina in my thoughts.
Sue
Another winner! Love the redo. You are coordinated down to your floor mat which matches your dress! Too cute! Prayers for S.C.
Linda
Wow! What a transformation! The refashioned dress really suits you too. Thinking of you all after the devastating floods. Glad you are OK. Hope all can get back to normal as soon as possible. ((HUGS)) from the UK
Sarah
The dress looks great.
annybeads
OMG! I am always surprised by your magikal transformations, however this one just took my breath away! It went from butt ugly to just so darn cute I want one too – and I’m over 70!!!! I will hold your wonderful state in my heart while you all recover.
Catherine
SC is in my prayers. I love the refashion. I would wear it.
Lori
This is one of the best you’ve done!! I love it. Very creative.
Joy Poulos
We just made a trip to Charleston in September. I fell in love with your beautiful state and felt your pain with all of the flooding. Thankfully your home was spared.
You are one talented woman. You are an inspiration to so many people.
Happy to see you are doing so well. I couldn’t see hope for this one but you did it!!!
Suzanne Mellor
Jillian: This is one of my all-time favorites. Great job!!
Vicki Hensley Dudek
You are so talented, and this piece is just gorgeous
justanotherword85
OMG i want one! this is the cutest dress i’ve seen you make! love, love, love!
Janette
Love it. I wasn’t sure how you were going to save it. I’m impressed!
I’m curious how long an average refashion takes you. As your skills have improved over the years, how long does one take you these days?
ReFashionista
Thanks! It takes from 30 minutes to about 3 hours depending on the level of difficulty/my distraction. 😉
mabellery
You created an exceptional save on this dress, great job.
Sandra
I love seeing the things you make from used clothes. You are very creative. I never thought to do that.
judy ross
You look stunning!
Sandra Futrell
I did not see that dress coming. You are amazing, glad you are ok.
jen
Wow, I live this one!
Becky C
Cute, Cute, Cute!!!! This is one of my favorites.
Betty Daggett
Super super cute
Heather
This one is one of the cutest things you’ve done. I am so glad you’re safe! Keeping Columbia in my thoughts.
Connie
Hi Jill, I have been wondering about you since I heard the news of the terrible flooding there. I am glad that you are safe (and Douglas too). I know there will be much repairing and cleaning in the near future for everyone in SC. I hope it goes well. BTW you make the cutest things out of absolutely ugly clothes, you are amazing.
NancyW.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this refashion! So cute, the dress, you, and Douglas!
Sydney
So cute! Did you dye it or is that just the lighting? You always do such cute/artsy stuff with your finds and make it look so easy!
ReFashionista
Just the lighting. 🙂
Sandra Eggerstedt
I have to say this is one of my fav refashions to date! Love it!
Gee
This one’s the cutest ever.
Cynthia leyva
Beautiful job. You are so creative. I just could not see how you would be able to resuscitate that dress, but you did. So sorry to hear about the devastation the rising waters created. I also could not believe the incredible will of the rising waters.. Keep us informed.
Lori
I really like that you offset the button placket. It is a darling.
Mary
I like your creative way of upstyling clothes. Can you tell me how you made a v-neck out of the round neck? I’m a little afraid to give it a try on some of my shirts-afraid I’ll make a mess.
ReFashionista
The back of the dress buttoned, so I flipped it around when I re-attached it. 🙂
Linda Stanley
So so cute.
Holly
You totally win on the refashioning scene.
While things are going badly, a little inspiration to more cheerful things is welcome.
Elaine Guttmann
It turned out great! Love the off center buttons. Wish I had your talent for imagining new options! Elaine in CA
Mary
The dress is beautiful. What a nice job you did! It was a definite improvement- as your works always are.
Glad you are safe. SC in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, time and talent. hang in there.
rimazimchick
This is a really cool refashion. Looking at the original dress I couldn’t imagine it could look so good. But waddaya know it looks fantastic. Well done and so glad you are ok in SC.
Pat
The dress is adorable. And I understand your distress with the floods. We had Superstorm Sandy. I live outside the devastation but saw the pix. I couldn’t even go and look at the beach and the homes. I cried to think of the loss. NJ seashore is coming back. SC will, too. I am glad you had something to keep you occupied. Blessings!
Joy
I love the way you turned a poor ugly dress into something very cute. Wish I had your talents.
Gwen
Bravo!!!
Valerie
Girl, you are just too cute! I love what you do! Keeping SC in my thoughts and prayers.
cljhansen
I love the new look!
Beryl Johnson
Love what you did with this dress. I didn’t think you’d be able to save this one but it looks great. Glad you are safe. Thinking of everyone who suffered in the floods.
Kristina Snowden
Turned out fantastic! My family is spread out in Irmo, Lexington and Shandon, and unbelievably everyone got through fine. Lots of friends, classmates and neighbors who did not fare so well. I am so sad for my home state but so proud of how everyone came together.
Harriet
My son lives in Columbia too. He is a journalist for The State (Avery Wilks). So glad you both were safe during the flood.
I never comment on a blog. Ever. But this refashion is one of the best you have done. Good job!
Renee
Great results!
What type of stitch do you like to use for knits?
ReFashionista
I actually just used a straight stitch for this one.
Danella Wheeler
Bless you and your sweet state. I lived in SC for 4 years in my 20s, so I know the heart of the people there and I ache for you. I also know the resilience of the folks who will undoubtedly rebuild. My daddy is a FEMA employee, so he is there now working to help get aide to all those who need it. I am praying for your state and your people.
Love and hugs from Texas!
Amber Funk
Wow, this is my favorite thus far.
Glory Lennon
such a cute dress now! Great job!
NancyP.
Amazing !! You are an artist with fabric.
Michelle Van Ellis
This is fantastic!
Karen P
Gorgeous and just what SC needs right now: something to be happy and grateful for. Glad to hear you got through it. We saw it on the UK news so I have no doubt that it was awful for everyone there. Hope all get back to some sort of good normal soon xxx
Barb
Sorry to read of the severe weather in your area . Here in some areas of UK it’s sometimes like this . The dress looks good .
Sarah
very cute! I’m glad you are safe!
Victoria
Man this one is really nice!
ladydorcus
Hugs to South Carolina. We were not hit as severely in Virginia with this storm. It’s good to keep busy during crazy times. This was a great refashion. I love the buttons off center, it’s a very nice detail.
Rose
OOH, I LOVE LOVE this one!! Great job!!
Heather Boring
You truly have a talent and more patience than I will ever have. Every time I read your step by steps I almost feel I can do it. Your heartfelt write-up really shared how it is right now. There was nothing wrong with keeping your idle hands busy to ward off the anxiety that you must have been feeling and seeing.
Bobbi
I’m feeling that survivor’s guilt too. The flood waters barely missed us here, just a couple of blocks away the water was up to the ceiling in some homes! I’m working on a pattern now for stuffed animals to donate to the kids who lost all their toys 🙂 Thanks for your posts! You are an inspiration!!
Sterling Hawkins
I love your before and after shots your expressions are great and what a cute dress now
Amy
So glad you are safe! I instantly thought of you when I heard they had to cancel the Gamecocks!
Ali
This is one FABULOUS refashion! Super duper cute! I didn’t think you were glib but I get where you’re coming from, we all have SC in our thoughts and prayers. Well done Jillian!
Joy Shaw
Awesome re-fash as always! Prayers for South Carolina as they rebuild <
AMY
Love it! Im inspired!
marilyn
That dress is really cute. Who would have dreamed something so ugly could turn out so neat!!! Love it
puggoDeb
Hi! I love the dress!! I pray for people who are suffering through disaster but I’m happy that you and friends are okay. Take care.Deb
Danielle
This one is adorable! great job!
learningnewtricks
That was one ugly pre refashion dress! You certainly turned that dress into a gem! I love how it turned out. This refashion is one of my favorites.
Mea
Perfectly said! And I agree, this is my favorite refash.
Jennifer Wiley
Agree, easily my favorite ever.
The Merida Review
I’ve been watching just to make sure you got through the flooding ok! This dress makes me happy.
Susan Wright-Boucher
I have to admit, this is one I wasn’t sure you were going to be able to save but you did it! Looks great. Keeping everyone in SC in my thoughts.
Julie
This is great! Glad you and yours are safe. One should not feel guilty for being thankful.