Hello.
It’s been mind-numbingly, skull-thumpingly hot here in SC lately.
Forgive me for being lazy, but when I pulled this dress off my Refashion rack, I just wasn’t in the mood to sew.
Unfortunately, this dress wasn’t going to work on a 100+ degree day as-is. :/
Not to worry! I had a plan to refashion this frumpy dress that didn’t involve any sewing at all!
First, I snipped out those shoulder pads.
Check it out! There were actually back-up pads for the already huge pads!
Pads all around!
My shoulders weren’t going to need any protection today though…other than sunscreen that is!
I turned the dress around so the zip-up back was in the front, and pulled my arms through the neck, tucking the top of the new front in.
Then, I tied the sleeves under my boobal area, like so:
That’s it my new new-sew dress was born!
I managed to keep cool while sipping mimosas with friends at a VERY fun Drag Brunch with friends!
The ladies were fabulous!
All these awesome costumes leave me inspired to perhaps start refashioning for a completely different kind of demographic ;)…What do you think? ReDragionista?
Cheers!
Absolutely agree!!!
You are awesome and inspiring. I am currently working on tricking out a denim jacket using an old dress and realized if I cut it correctly I can get a cute little tank top out of the top of the dress, while still leaving enough fabric for the jacket.
Hello Refashionista! I’ve missed your posts. They are too funny and fun and informative. I trust all is well and that you are just taking a bit of a break?
Always looking forward, Heidi
“Boobal area” is totally a word I would use… considering “boobage” is frequent in my vocab. [boobage = boobal region]
Inspired even in the brain numbing heat: love it!
I bow to the repurposing genius. Do you offer advice?? LOL. I could never come up with these ideas but come across maaaany ugly thrift stuff.
Hahaha! What advice do ya need?
Hi, I love this blog! I was just wondering how the back of this dress ended up looking, though. Is it bunched up in back? Is there any way we can see it?
Thank ya! Sadly, I didn’t snap a pic of the back, but nope…it wasn’t bunchy because I folded the neck hole thingy down on the inside (does that make sense?).
Oh my gosh! Amazing! My niece just told me about you and I love your re-do’s! So inspiring and so much fun!
Love your designs. Inspires me to be creative. Getting my nails done and showing everyone here your stuff!!
Thank you! Paint ’em teal for me! 😉
Stylish! I love Paisley and that will be great for the autumn colours too. And you preserved as much of it as poss but kept it modern and flattering
Very clever!!
I agree with the artist title someone else gave you a few comments back…great job, I love the new dress!
Okay… I came over to comment today not because the refashion was awesome (which, by the way, it totally is), but because Patti O’Furniture might be the BEST drag name ever. I died. Just a little. Oh…and YES. ReDragionista. It needs to be a feature. Fantastic idea.
I’m amazed! Wish my brain could work in this way.
Loved u on TV… AGAIN!!! Do u think u will EVER do the 365 day project again? If not, will u consider something similar? Every other day? One a day for 30 days? I KNOW it would MAKE millions of people happier than EVER!!! PLEASE?? Maybe one a day till CHRISTMAS? Following your site ranks right up there with getting my HGTV magazine n the mail! Thanks
Brilliant!!!
This is awesome! When I read ‘No-sew’ and then saw the before I thought ‘There’s no way in hell’. And I was wrong.
Why apologize for a no-sew refash when the end result is so completely transformed & adorable?!?!?! Great job, as always, Jillian. Now I am on the hunt for a similar frock, so I can try this one out here in Texas. You’re an inspiration!!!
Wow………you have the MOST amazing imagination! I would have thrown that thing out just for those awful shoulders.
So clever. You are a genius and a true artist.
Hi! I found your blog about a month ago and have been reading every single post from both ends! (I’m on p64 from the newest and p210 from the oldest) it’s so interesting to see you ideas and skills change and evolve!
I have a question for you, maybe you’ll answer it Monday! How do you choose which color dyes your outfit will swim in? Do you always have a definite idea or throw it in and hope for the best? For example, your Rachel Ray dress, was that lovely color expected or intended? Thanks and keep em coming!
I’m such a fickle pickle. I gave up Q&A Mondays a while back. lol Honestly, I don’t overthink it. I used to paint a bit, so mixing dyes is sort of like mixing paints. Sometimes I’m just trying to “muddy up” a too-bright print, and sometimes I’m going for a very specific hue. Surprises are always fun though!
Who else would have thought to put the dress on backwards and slip her arms through the neckhole? You are one clever gal.
I love drag shows!!! Great no sew project. You are a true inspiration.
I think you could do anything you put your mind to in the fashion vein 🙂
And, I do love your no-sew fashions, whether they are something I could wear or not; I just like seeing your innovative work!
P. S. And can that lady dance 🙂
Love this! The fabric is gorgeous and it looks so cute as the after.
Yes!! Redragonista! I’m on board. I just caught a drag show last month and while the girls were fabulous, there were quite a few frayed hems and popped seams. I’m sure they would love it!
Impressionnant, like we say here! Thanks for this superb idea!
I like the idea of ReDragionista!
Haha “boobal area” :-)) gave me a chuckle! You’re so funny!
I love this no sew refashion of yours, what a brilliant idea, will have to try this if I come across one similar dress….
Wonderful and quick style change . So original! Keep going girl.
Very inspirational, l love your ideas!!
How do you come up with these ideas? You are so talented? Is that Mystery Man (MM)on the left or a different guy and are ever going to hear more about MM?
I’m still a little confused about what you did up top but love it!
Cute, thanks for making me look at clothes different.
I’m too heavy, and too old to wear the Strapless, sleeveless fashions, but it looks adorable on you! I Love, LOve the Paisley print though!
Sweetie, those sunglasses are bigger than you are! Great refashion as usual.
Redragionista is a fantastic idea! I would love to see that!
That is brilliant! Love this dress!
Love that fabric, colors, patterns…!! Love what you did, so fast! Great!
Quick and cute, yea!!
Amazing refashion!!!!!!!!! You are the best! xo Lauren in Toronto, Canada
My “boobal” area?
I love you!
Only the finest serious medical terminology makes it to ReFashionista.net! 😉