When I found this comfy caftan at the thrift store next door to my office (Yes…you read that right!), I was thrilled! Look at that embroidery!
I saw two options with this one. I could keep the sleeves and make it a mini, or chop off the sleeves, and turn it into to nicely-fitted maxi dress.
I thought and thought about about it, and at the end of the day I just couldn’t bear to lose those fantastic embroidered sleeves. So, a chop happened:
A hem quickly followed.
A quick press was all it took to complete my super-comfy frock for an Ice Cream & Waffles Brunch with friends. :)
Cheers!
LOL yes a bit short, I thought so before I scrolled down! But still very cute and you can always wear it with tights. Wait – a thrift store right next to your office? Wow – that’s good fortune!
You are such a precious person! I truly enjoy getting notified of all of your new blog posts! I have been following you for about a year and I even went back to day one and read and then re-read your posts 3 times so far! My husband even surprised me with a sewing machine this past Christmas because of how often I talk about you! You are such a delightful, REAL, beautiful person!
I agree! I talk about her all the time to my husband too! I love this blog. She has such an interesting life, and I love being included in the action!
The collar embroidery is super cute! Though, I might have used some of the skirt fabric and attached it to both sides of the dress it make a sash that tied in the back (to create more of a figure). Love the sleeves! And it’s a great length!
1. Did you adjust the shoulders &/or sleeves?
2. Did you take the caftan in? If yes:
– how?
– at what points?
With a rockin’ bod like yours, I would have taken it in a smidge! Rock that silhouette!!!
Beautiful embroidery, indeed! Plus, bubbles make any photoshoot better. :D
You went from Mrs. Roper to Janis Joplin in minutes!
Not my favorite but the embroidery is awesome
Smart mod. Love it.
Cute dress. I would have left it a bit longer and added a sash or belt to give it more shape.
I love your smirk in the after-pic! :)
And who cares if it’s a little short, just make sure to wear fabulous underwear on windy days ;)
Or -I’m anticipating Dutch weather conditions here- wear it on those days with black leggings and big brown boots!
ps: I wonder what it would look like if you dye it dark blue?
I too was wondering if you would dye it.
Love the frock, I would take it in a little, or maybe a belt. Love the embroidery.
YES! YES IT IS SHORT! AND YES! IT’S PERFECT ON YOU! Now, this 68 year old Great-Grandmother would wear that exact same length with jeans, but YOU should have fun with it….HA!
I sooooooooooo Love it
Not a big fan of brown but I do love embroidery. The length works for leggings. That’s me though. Keep up the good work.
A thin tie back would accent your minuscule frame!
It’s confirmed! You’re adorable. I’m really loving your blog! Thanks for sharing your creativity. You’ve definitely got style.
You look absolutely adorable!!! The only thing I would do different if it was mine would be to wear wedge sandals or booties :)
wow i’m surprised it got so many low votes. i think it’s a stunner and can only WISH i found something like this at my local thrift stores…
You are soo talented. Wish I had thought of it when I was younger. Love it.
Yes, I love the sleeves and I love the embroidery but it just looks to big and sacky but also too short. I love your talent and your blog. Just doesn’t feel like you are finished with this one yet. Hugs.
ugh i cant get over how you can make the ugliest things look like couture!
I am excited to try my first refashion, thanks to your inspiration. This one is not my favourite but so many good ones. Thanks
Love the embroidery and think you made a wise choice keeping the great sleeves- it does look a little 60s maternity though with that shape lol
So happy to see a new post! Missed your creativity!
Its so pretty, I’m glad you kept the sleeves. As for being a tad short, can you use the lower portion to make matching shorts to wear under the dress?
This dress is one of the many reasons why I love going to thrift shops, especially around Halloween. I love buying all the beautiful ethnic clothing that they consider a costume
Ha! One of the few times you don’t make a sash and everyone comments MAKE A SASH! I think it looks great on you, and it gives you an excuse to make people pick stuff up for you (so you don’t have to bend over). Great job!
Great observation, Linsey. Thanks for the laugh.
Awesome as always. I wouldn’t worry about the length. You have the figure to pull it off. I think it looks great. I must say, you’ve renewed my love of sewing and thrifting. It has been years since I’d really done either one and now it’s become a new obsession. I’ve never refashioned anything before now. Now I go looking for things I can make into something new.
Love it….. Being out side the Color looks nice and Chocolaty…
Anne: again you did it this is adorable, it looks like you all are having a wonderful time.
Blessings
Catherine
This is the first post I’ve been like “wow, that’s too short, it looks like a shirt”. I think cause it’s also bulky.
How did you sit or bend over in that tunic, color is great on you however and love all your posts.
I wanted to thank you for a past post regarding fidget quilts. I had never heard of them and now I’m getting others together here in St Thomas to make and donate them to the local seniors in need of them.
Hi, I m Dolores from Argentina. I found your blog via Pinterest a couple months ago and I ve read it all! Just wanted to tell you that what you do is amazing and inspiring, last night I stayed up until 3am refashioning some items! Thank you.
And thank you for raise awareness against fast fashion!
:)
Love the embroidery. Nice job!
A little short can always be remedied with tights or wear bike and enjoy the short length. That embroidery though…..that is perfect. you always seem to find so many goreous piece I wish i had your thrift store luck.
super cute !! lovely post i am always waiting for new post.
you are looking gorgeous in outfits superb job here! and this post
prove it you are collection is too good!!
I love your mods!
And you are so freaking adorable, you can pull off the cute short length.
I always get happy when you’ve made a post. :)
I think you could take a few more inches off and wear with shorts! As is, better not go commando… lol Love the brown.
I miss you! Come back! I hope this absence is due to good things and you are busy and happy!
What Elaine said!
What Nancy and Elaine said!
What Nancy said!
hi girl…. i miss your work… hope your doing fine…
I check in every day looking for a new post. I hope you’re ok and just taking a little sabbatical.
Yes, I was wondering the same thing. Been checking in each day and missing you.
Me, too! Don’t give up your good work. I check in often as well. Hope things are OK with you
and yours.
I have been checking here daily as well, and I don’t even sew! You are such an inspiration. Hope you are well.
Mentioned you in my latest post – so enjoy your blog!
http://www.thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com/2016/04/ruffles-and-refashioning.html
Just echoing the same recent comments…hope all is well. We miss you!
Well I am done checking THIS blog. If you’re not going to post any more just say so… You have some loyal followers and it is not right to lead them to believe you will be posting if you are not intending to do so.
Wow. Okay.
Hope all is well with you :)
Ok…it has officially been a month….worried that you may have fallen off the face of the planet! :/
Missing posts from you – hope all is well! Love the embroidery on your cute little shorty dress. i could never in a million years get away with it – good thing I love capri leggings! (: Can’t wait to see what you are working on for summer!
Jillian,
Don’t be discouraged ! You have fans/friends who would love to see you work your way through another garment or just “discuss” blog for now. (The rack looks full.)
I’m a long time follower. I must say it is very sad that you left us after promising another 365.
I understand busy lives and other adventures, but if you are going to hang up this blog let us longtime followers know!
Sad to see you go, I had a lot of inspiration from you. :(
Jillian, I am pretty worried that you seem to have disappeared. Hope all is well.
Missing your cheery blogs. Hope you’ll be back soon.
Go to http://blog.goodwillsc.org/
and see a new post from her
Hopefully she’ll post here soon that she’s found a house! In the meantime y’all can get a peak at her here.
http://blog.goodwillsc.org/refashionistas-goodwill-spring-declutter-challenge/
Thank you, Sara, for posting this welcome information.
Jillian, your fans will be so happy to hear from you! Take care.
Where are you….
Yeah ! Jillian is found !!!
That’s a great buy. The embroidery is rich indeed, especially in the neck region. Great choice to not cut off the sleeves – would have disturbed the harmony of the embroidery. Having said that, what you ended up doing with it looks awesome.
Reading your blog for like 7 months now and I gotta say: this might actually be the first dress I do NOT like. I think it is too big on you. But you can wear anything in the end – so whatever :D