An Overdyed Floral Halter Dress DIY Refashion
Yep. That title has a lot going on, doesn’t it? Don’t worry! It’ll all make sense very soon!
When I scored this dress for $1 at the thrift store, I originally thought I’d probably leave it as-is.
That was, until I tried it on.
I’m actually fairly narrow-shouldered, but somehow this dress was uncomfortably snug in the sleeves (Must be all the glasses of wine I’ve been lifting as of late).
Also, upon closer investigation, I saw it was really faded as well.
However, the fabric was really comfy, and I had an idea of how to fix those sleeves!
But first, a dye bath!
I checked the label of my new dress, and saw it was a cotton/poly blend.
The cotton will dye nicely. The polyester will not. This is totally fine by me, as all I’m trying to do is give it enough of a color refresh to hide that fading.
I chose some fuchsia dye. My thought process was, Yellow + Fuchsia = Some kind of Orange.
I prepped my dye bath.
Once again, I’m not going for a suuuuper saturated color here, so I only used about half the bottle (Dye is kind of pricey, so I like to stretch it out!).
I added my dress to its warm bath.
I let it sit in its bath, stirring it periodically for thirty minutes.
Then I tossed it in my washing machine to rinse and dried it.
Time to refashion this dress into a halter dress!
I put my dress on and pinned it at my armpit where I wanted my halter dress arm hole to be (allowing for a small seam allowance).
Then, I chopped off a sleeve!
Then, I layered the cut-off sleeve on the other side for a template and cut it off as well! this ensures both sides will be even Steven.
I folded the arm holes under once and pinned them down.
And under the needle they went!
You can see I kept the same green thread in my machine from my last refashion because I was feeling lazy thought it complemented the green in the flowers nicely.
After a quick press, I was all done!
Can we talk about how fantastic that color turned out for a second? I absolutely love dyeing over floral fabrics as they always look so much more interesting afterwards.
My arms and I love the new halter top too!
Do you have any dresses in your closet you think might enjoy a similar refashion? Why not give it a try?
Cheers!
69 Comments
Amy Erickson
Do you ever do anything with the pieces you chop off? Or the full garments that totally failed?S I throw them out, sometimes they become cleaning rags, many years ago I made a patchwork quilt. But mostly I keep them in an ever-growing stash because maybe I will use them some day.
redbam
Love your bold and adventurous spirit with the dyes. Would never have thought using fuchsia on that yellow dress would end up as a delightful color. Perfect for spring. Well done.
Jacqui
In the top right corner is the symbol for search, the little magnifying glass. Click on that.
Kay
I am definitely going to try the dye option. (Maybe not a good thing to say in these times.) The new color is so sophisticated and interesting! Love how you did the sleeves, and that gives me an idea for a t-shirt I love that has a scratchy neck band. Any tips on sewing knits like special needles, stitches, walking foot, or other advice? I don’t have a serger, just a regular machine.
This refash is an amazing transformation. Always inspired to read a new post here. Thanks so much for cheering up my day!
judy ross
Gorgeous color! Looks amazing now. Great idea.
Loraine
I was wondering if that’s your hand in the third picture where you are showing the tags?
Beth M Negrey
Well, this is just crazy. I can find everything else, all the sections of the blog, searching through archives, but no search bar. Am I missing something, somehow?
Elise
Thanks for being a bright spot in the world! You rock!!!!
ReFashionista
Thank YOU for reading! 🙂
Kerry Higginbotham
Great! Love it!!
ReFashionista
Thanks Kerry! I hope everyone back in Russell Co. KY is safe and healthy.
scottaenator
Super cute.
ReFashionista
Thank you!
ReFashionista
Thank ya!
Angela McCormick
Wow what a fabulous refashion this is – good job
ReFashionista
Thank you so much! I had fun making it. 🙂
ReFashionista
Thanks!
TEMA
I love it when I first saw it… great little sleeves, beautiful colour, great skirt… but it was tight on you in the shoulders and I thought you really did not have much choice but to do something about that. I love the dye job… it turned out great… and I love the new sleeveless look too. Honestly, I didn’t think you could improve on this one but you did and in fine style too! Bravo!
ReFashionista
Yep. I’ve noticed a lot of things in my wardrobe were starting to fit tighter in the shoulders from the time I had been spending at the gym. I’m sure they’ll atrophy back to their previous scrawniness now. 😉
Gail Michal
Love the color!!
ReFashionista
Thanks! I was really happy with how it turned out!
Tami
Love the color! BTW, I’m super jealous of your warm weather…and your cheese.
CAROL GORNTO
You were right……..this is SERIOUSLY adorbs!
April F.
I’ve never used dye! I’d like to though. Maybe I should do that!
ReFashionista
You definitely should! It’s actually really easy and fun!
Beth M Negrey
I love how this turned out — and the color is fabulous! One of the (very few…) ways I’m like my mom is not liking high necklines. They just feel constricting to me, I guess. I couldn’t see a sleeve seam on this dress so, if I were so lucky to have it in my closet, maybe the shoulder “strap” could’ve been a bit wider? Then I would “get” to deal with the neckline. Is there a way to re-cut that into just a bit of a scoop, do you think? I am just getting back into sewing after being away for about 40 years (my, how time does fly LOL) and it’s much more fun than I ever would’ve thought. And you so add to the fun!
ReFashionista
Of course! You can easily make just about anything into a V-neck too! If you use the search bar on this blog and search “V-neck” you can find some refashion tutorials where I do that. 🙂
Kristen McBee
All of your refashions are inspiring, but this one may be my favorite! I have an affinity for color, pattern, and sundresses, so it makes sense. Now if only I could go out and wear dresses like these! One day…
ReFashionista
No better time to start some refashion projects that you wear later, I say!
Thea
You are seriously adorable! Thank you, as always, for sharing your light and breezy humor and just for putting yourself out there. Your “just try it!” spirit simultaneously inspires and entertains us, your readers. (I also appreciate reading other readers’ comments, like the one that said “I’m well on my way to gaining the COVID-19 pounds”! Ha! Ain’t that the truth?) I *swear* I am going to pull out my 5-years-old-but-never-been-used dress form and put it to good use, just as soon as I make some masks for some family members. Thank you again!
ReFashionista
Thank you for your kind words! Keeping busy with creative projects has been really helpful for me. I saw the CDC is now asking people to wear masks when they have to go in public places, so I’ll probably be sharing a tutorial (no sew and a sewing version) this coming week. Never thought that’d be something I’d have to do. 🙁 I hope you and your family stay safe and healthy.
cljhansen
I really love the transformation of this dress! You are so creative and inspiring. Thanks for your blog and photos.
ReFashionista
Thank you!
Susan
Adorable! I’ve gotten rid of a dress or two in the past for treating my armpits unkindly. What an easy fix it would have been. Now I know!
ReFashionista
You’ll never be held back by an uncomfortable armpit situation again!
Sharon GD
wow, this is my new fav! i love the dye over the flowers. i think it actually pulls them together so you see the fabric as a whole rather than yellow plus flowers. The cut in shoulders is a wow. last but not least, the sandals!!! i have never worn sandals with a thong between the toes. yours look perfect, i think i will put my toes in the water!! ..uh, in the sandals. thank you. this cheered me up today,
ReFashionista
Thank you so much Sharon! I’ve found thong sandals take a little getting used to, but once that little area between your toes is broken in, you’re good!
Michelle Van Ellis
Seriously adorable!
And I could go for a glass of wine and a block of ossau-iraty right now. 😀
ReFashionista
Thank you. And treat yoself, I say! 😉
Laura
Love how it turned out! So cute. Thanks for a bit of sunshine in this turmoil.
ReFashionista
Thank you! It’s a tough time right now to be sure.
Krystal
I love this, love this, love this!!! I will be trying it during my time at home. I am a teacher and will be on spring break next week. I have lots of projects planned for next week.
ReFashionista
Thank you! Oh man…this probably wasn’t the Spring Break you were hoping for, but I’m happy to hear you have some fun projects in mind!!!
Murielle
Looks SO cute on you!
ReFashionista
Thank you!!!
carol
Great refashion as always, i wish my stash was as good as yours!
Teresa Wojton
Can we see the back? It doesn’t look like a halter dress. Really cute thou.
ReFashionista
Agh! I didn’t get a pic of the back (I’ll have to add it later). Sorry! It’s not a tie back. The dress already had a single button closure, so that’s how I left it. From what I could tell, “Halter” applies to that style of strapless neckline more than just having a tie back. But if you have any additional information on that, let me know (I hemmed and hawed over what to refer to it as)!
Nicole Mölders
This turned out very nicely. You are right, overdying floral pieces look so much better afterwards. The change of the sleeves is a winner too. The dress looks now so much more grown up and so chic.
Patricia
I really look forward to your thrifty fix emails (especially now – it is a welcome distraction from the world’s problems) and I have never sewn anything in my life – nor do I intend to. I’m all thumbs. I really love the dye job on this one, a great color and love the refash!
Karen
So cute!
Elissa Barber
I am a fan but don’t always feel the dye is needed. This time it really made a difference. The thrift shop I volunteered at was closed for redevelopment into apartments. Viewing your projects gives me my thrifty fix.
Lorna Moxley McGlynn
I always look forward to your posts, more so in these crazy days.Today in particular you brought me belly laughs! At home with the gnome- omg! I must point out it really isn’t a halter dress which would require making ties in the back, but who cares? It’s so cute!
Elaine Sarchet
Just love the makeover – I hope you’ve got a huge stash of thrifty buys to keep us all going over the however many months!
westporthillviewfarm
I have never thought about taking a faded shirt/dress and dying it. You have the best ideas!
Elise
You are a hoot!!! I busted a gut laughing at your block of cheese comment. I’m well on my way to gaining the COVID – 19 pounds since I’ve been stuck at home.
Kathleen
Love your refashions! I’ve been following your blog for several months now, and for me the burning question is how you manage to see the potential in the clothing. I look at the before picture and have no idea what you will do with the garment. Any hints?
Loretta M Mitson
You are a bright spot in our day! Love the dress. Yeah, the cheese…solves all stress! I totally relate! Stay well!
Sanna Teer
New color is way better than the original. Love halter dresses. Nice job. 🙂
Stephanie Staltare
Oh I love the way this came out…super cute
Adrianna - Adzik tworzy
OMG! I love this new colours of flowers! <3 Amazing refashion!
Pat Stoughton
This is a winner. I can’t wear that style anymore but you look great in it!
Mary Verrico
Another winner! Love your work, Do you EVER have an oops, that didn’t work?
Kimberly Wollmer
Love it! You are so funny!
Nikki
“Staying at home with my gnome…” 🙂 You crack me up. Love the dress in the new colour. I think it looks so much better with the sleeve chop done.
Karla
I have been I long time reader and subscriber and I just love what you do. But I have never commented before (I dont think anyway) Thanks for keeping it up during this hard time. You are a bright light One if these days I’ll be brave enough to try dye.
Jody Mckinley
Great idea , great job ! I wish I could see the back . Thanks so much for entertaining us through the yuck . Sincerely Jody
pamela
You are just too cute! I look forward to your email showing up each day. They brighten my day so much. I ran out of block cheese yesterday, but I still have 2 apples LOL!!!!!
Joan Zachary
That print was pretty before the dye bath – and even prettier afterward! Score!