How to Refashion a Dress into a Top Without Sacrificing Bottom Details
For 2020, one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to try to refashion items from my wardrobe that I’m tired of before donating them to the thrift store.
I would hazard a guess that 99% of my wardrobe is thrifted. This doesn’t mean 99% of my wardrobe is refashioned, though. I find pllllenty of perfectly nice things on the $1 clearance rack too.
Like this dress:
I’ve actually worn this dress several times. I love the color and that neat bottom detail. I don’t love how it rides up on my hips whenever I try to walk in it. :/ I have no problem whatsoever wearing short dresses, but this was a bit much. In order to wear this dress I had to either wear it over leggings (as a tunic), or do that 90’s thing where I tie a flannel shirt around my waist to hold it (and my modesty) down.
That’s a lot of effort for a simple dress.
That’s why I decided to turn it into a top. But I hated the idea of losing that neat angular detail on the bottom.
That’s when it hit me, I didn’t have to lose that detail at all! I could just move it up!
Let’s begin.
After my chopping was complete, I began unpicking the front of the neck with my seam ripper, like so:
Here’s what it looked like when I was done:
This looks pretty messy, right? Don’t worry! I have a plan.
I took part of the bottom of the dress and began folding it and playing around with it until I found a shape I liked. I ended up pressing it, and then tacking the fold down to keep it in place.
I then took my tailor’s chalk and traced along the top of the folded bit to synch up the neck hole part.
Now it’s time to put it all together! I pinned the new neck detail between the binding and the neck hole, like this:
Then, I sewed it all down. You’ll want to make sure to have your machine set on a very slow setting if you’re attempting to execute this maneuver at home.
Now that the hard part was done (it wasn’t really that hard), all that was left was that bottom hem!
And that’s it!
All in all, I’m pretty happy with my new top! I think it actually looks quite high end with its new neck detail.
While this top is probably best as a “work” shirt, I decided to wear it at home for an afternoon playing board games with friends!
We played Dominare, which is super fun. We highly recommend it!
I lost badly, but felt cute doing so in my newly refashioned top, so all was well.
Cheers!
36 Comments
Robin Hillyer-Miles
That’s a nice Garnet-y Gamecock color! I’m glad you did something awesome with it.
Jan Hudson
I have been sewing for YEARS and I do mean YEARS! I started when I was ten and am now 66. I love seeing what you do and you inspire me to do more of my own redesigning. I hope you never lose your passion! I know I haven’t.
Sheryl
So love the fact that you are posting again. You are an inspiration.
Heidi
Love it! I’ve missed these and you.
Katrina
Looks Great!
Theresa Hendrickx
Great to see you back, you are an inspiration!
Joyce Love
Cute top, & glad to see you back! My husband built my son a portable game table with 2 big top pieces that slide onto a purchased folding table. It all gets stored in the attic between game sessions & has worked out great. Let me know if you want to see photos
Cindy Anderson
Your ideas are so inspiring! I’m glad you’re back! The picture of you playing the board game, I had to laugh. The guy on the right looks like he has a flowered mohawk!
Kay
The new top is a winner, and the gathering looks like a fun time all around. Your posts are such a treat. So inspiring, and they always make me want to go thrifting right now! I’ve always been grateful for my basic sewing skills, as they take the fear away from chopping into something to recreate it. Love the tutorial pictures and guidelines. Thank you for sharing with us. So very happy you’re back.
Sarah W.
Hello from a fellow board gamer! I think that it is a grand hobby. I got to try Isle of Cats today actually. Two thumbs way up! I’ve been a long time follower of all your outfit re-dos and inspiration! Very talented. Thanks for the glimpse into your gaming collection.
Jennifer Opitz
Cute, cute, cute. So happy you are back!!
Lisa M Reading
I am so glad you are back! I need inspiration. But, I hesitate to put scissor to perfectly good clothes. Why do I feel guilty for cutting something that another person could use?
Paula
Genius! Wish I had your visionary skills, thanks for sharing!
ELIZABETH AULSEBROOK
Love the new top! You are an inspiration. Hint: When a dress or skirt rides up, you need a slip. That will keep it smooth.
Bree
Cute top and it is nice to be able to refashion favourite things and wear them again. I am so glad to read your posts again and will have to check out that game!
Nicole
*love (got all excited ♀️)
Nicole
Omgosh,
How genius are you!?
Also: always lobe a great board game recommendation!
Double win!
Lisa Hamel
Super cute! Following your example, I have done a few refashions over the last few years. It’s amazing how much you can learn about sewing by taking clothes apart! Thabks for all the inspiration. 🙂
redbam
Outstanding! Love the way your brain functions and turns out such delightful new items. The color is great and your new design is smashing. Well done!
Sharon Girvin-Davison
The top is tops!
Amanda Taylor
You’re awesome! I just love your refashions!
Catherine
For some reason my comments are publishing funny, I think you look adorable.
Catherine Laurent
Did not get to finish comment: as cute as you are the top is adorable, you are a very creative lady.
Catherine
So cute as are you.
Catherine
Jeanette Cz.
Sooo pretty and clever!! I have collected decorative pins over the years…frogs, dragon flies, red Thunderbird car, comedy/tragedy face, all kinds. I think one of them would look great on your top…either on the opposite shoulder of the design, or on it itself… so cool!
Murielle
I also like it better as a top. So cute, and fits you very well.
Reen
Excellently altered! Thanks for telling the name of the game, it sounds very interesting, must try it.
Sandra Vinton
You’re so creative, and love the thrifting:)
Cute new tp!
Bobbi
You’re a magician! New top looks adorable!
Amanda Becker
What an inspired idea! Looks great!
Linda Wilson
Love it with the cardigan!
Dianne N
You have an awesome board game collection going on there! I love that you’re back, you’re such an inspiration on so many levels and I can’t wait to see what you have in store!
slisle51
Adorable! I like it so much more as a top.
Sheri
I like it better as a top! Super cute!
mrssiscreativelycrazy
Gosh I love the stuff you come up with!!!!!
alisondeluca
Love this – looks like a really useful top!