Est. 2010

A Rad Plaid Refashion: How to Take In a Dress From the Front

When I found this dress on the $1 rack at a local thrift store, I almost squealed with delight!

It looks like someone made a girl’s toddler dress in an adult size, and I just want to giggle.

I mean, look at it.

Basically everything I hate about this dress is featured in the above pic. That weird low collar looks too juvenile for a grown-up dress and those functionless buttons aren’t fooling anybody!

I immediately got to ripping and chopping!

I was happy to leave these behind:

I played with the dress on my dress form, trying to figure out what my next step would be. All of a sudden it hit me!

I would kill two birds with one stone and take it in from the front. This would help it be more fitted and fix that ridiculous collar!

Let me show you!

I folded the front over in a way that would connect the collar. To make sure I would be able to walk in my new dress, I stopped pinning right at the hips (you’ll see why in just a bit!).

I took the dress off the dress form and added more pins, making sure everything laid down nice & flat!

You can probably guess what came next!

Now it was time to address the length. I waited to do this until the dress was taken in, as taking stuff in automatically makes it shorter. I wanted a dress, not a tunic (Fun Fact: 50% of my early tunic refashions were accidental). 😉

I tried my dress on, marked about an inch lower than where I wanted it to fall (for a seam allowance), and chopped!

I gave my new dress a new hem!

We’re almost done folks! I took that bottom scrap and refashioned it into a sash!

I stitched a seam along my sash and then turned it inside out.

All that was left was to give my new dress a good press, making sure to make a distinct crease along that front pleat I had created.

And just like that, my refashion was complete!

I wore my new dress to meet up with friends at Black Rooster!

The background chicken (as well as all of the art at Black Rooster) is by local artist, Michael Krajewski!

Have you ever tried taking in a refashion from the front? How did it work out for you?

Cheers!

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37 Comments

Judith

That’s one of the best yet! Surely that will stay and be worn again. Love it.

Kay

Truly magical! Amazing transformation.

Samantha Vanzant

I love Mr. Refashionista’s tiger Hawaiian shirt!

TEMA

Nicely done!

VRGJS

Great! It seems comfy and chic… Thank you for sharing!

Susan

Love it!

Bree

I’d not have thought of taking that dress in, in the front. Really a great refashion and it looks great. Collar treatment sure worked well. Hub is lovely. Kind looking gent and I do so hope the two of you are happy, now and always…

Yona Bello

Wow!! What a transformation. Kudos to you!

judy ross

I think this is my favorite of all the refashions you have done. It is so cute. Can I post a picture of before and after on Facebook if I tell it is from your blog? I am just so impressed.

Michelle

I love the redo on this dress … it’s absolutely adorable

Murielle

You absolutely did it! You took a frumpy, overwhelming, over-the-top ’80s nightmare to a chic, sleek, classicly fashionable wow. Way to go!

Sarah

The dress is cute, but i LOVE the pattern on the Mr.’s shirt! Tell me, do you also find thrifted items for him?

Lisa

Another great refashion that looks amazing on you! I’ve got some things of my own I’d like to re-fashion. I’m looking into purchasing a dress form but can’t decide what kind. What do you use and do you like it? Anyone else have a recommendation. Has anyone made their own? Thanks!

lamgirls

That refashion was so AWESOME!!! You are so talented! Keep them coming!

redbam

You are amazing and so creative. I love what you did. Your new outfit resembles a coat style dress which is always so stylish. I’ve worked on resizing pieces from the front by opening it up and adding a decorative zipper and also by using darts and taking in the bust area through a princess cut seam. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures.

eva @ CostumeTakeOut

love the $1 finds! so much fun! when people ask me how I started, I tell them the $1 racks because if you make a mistake–which i have–the investment was only a $1…lovely little dress you made!
xo eva

Amy J

Fabulous!

Sheila

Brilliant!

pamela

OH! I forgot to tell you how cute you and “Mr. F.” are – – – both individually and together!

pamela

Your creative eye is so amazing. I truly appreciate seeing your before and after fashions. Even though I usually can afford to buy new, I love to hunt for clothing made from good material that deserves a new life in my closet. I am becoming a true thrift store junkie! THANK YOU.

alisondeluca

LOVE this refashion. Great job!

Lisa Hamel

Man! Your ability to see the diamond in the rough astounds. Well done! I love that pattern and color combo on you.:)

Pamela

Looks great. When you over lapped it did that move the side seams forward towards the front?

Ronnie

I would have paid good money for a dress like that. Awesome refashion.

Carmen Cabrera

So creative, I just love your refashion ideas!

Latrenia Bryant

Love it

Vickie Kane

I LOVE this one! Well done!

Darlene

I am a sucker for red plaid. My mother, who had such great taste told me nothing was more elegant than plaid, a white shirt and black velvet. Your makeover made me think of her and I loved how you gave that dress an almost tuxedo effect. I probably would have gone a bit longer but I’m older so….but if I was your age, I’d show off those legs! Maybe my favorite makeover so far, just love it!!!

Loretta M Mitson

Stunning! Those are your colors!

Martha

OMG, I love your rad plaid refashion! So cute!

Elise

Yes…your hub is a cutie pie!! and so is the dress.

labkath

This is great!

Lynda

I’m so glad that you’re back! I find myself doing more refashes (is that a word?) lately. Coincidence? I think not.

westporthillviewfarm

How long did it take you to do this refresh? I’m always impressed when you say that you did alterations right before you wore something in public.

Claire

I absolutely LOVE this refashion! I’m a bit of a plaid person anyway, however apart from the fabric design and colour, this dress was unbelievably hideous to start with. Wow, what a transformation, plus it looks fantastic on you. Sadly I would have to wear it with leggings or trousers, as this particular 5ft British lady has short stubby legs!! How I wish I had your long, slim legs instead…..*sigh*…..!!!

Marilyn

So cute!

Lauren s

This is one of my favorites! Fantastic job!

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