Brrrrrrrr! I cannot cope with this cold snap, folks! For those of you who get sick to death of seeing me traipsing around in nothing but strappy (or strapless) sundresses as summer and want to see a bit more modest stuff, you are in luck!
Take this heavily bedazzled sweater dress:
There are only two things I like about this tacky monstrosity. 1. It’s black. 2. It’s a sweater dress.
Even the back of this crazy number didn’t escape the bedazzler’s wrath!
Apparently the branding department has an ironic sense of humor…
I knew I couldn’t deal with all those sequins and beads. I had something much more basic in mind.
So, I picked.
And I picked some more…
I picked for about THREE HOURS, my friends!
Finally, I was done! Ah! Sweet relief!
I took my new dress in about 1 1/2 inches on each side…
My lovely lil Dreamstitcher came in super-handy for this one. Sweaters have always been a challenge for me, as they tend to fray like crazy! If you don’t happen to have a serging machine, just use a zigzag stitch and cut off the excess fabric. It’ll do. 🙂
With my side seams done, I had a few chops to make! I really wanted bracelet-length sleeves, and the bottom needed to be raised just a smidge.
The sleeves got stitched down and then got a zigzag stitch on the interior raw edge. Here’s what they look like on the outside now.
Now for the bottom! I served the bottom raw edge…
…then gave it a new hem!
I could have just folded the bottom hem under twice to get rid of the raw edge, but I worried about it looking too bulky. 🙂
And here’s my dress now! I made the front the back so that V would be behind me. Sorry I failed to get pics, but I’m sure you can picture it just fine. 🙂
I stayed happy & warm in this one. 🙂
My new dress had a lovely day with some wonderful friends…first at a wine tasting, then at a dinner cooked by the amazing Scott Hall! 🙂
Rest assured, much fun was had, and much wine was consumed!
Sometimes I’ve gotta admit…I Iove being me. 🙂
Cheers!
Oh I think this one was a shame! 🙁
Love the sweater dress!!
Love it! More more winter fashion please. So in love!
The giant jewels definitely had to go, but I’m curious what it would have looked like with the sequins and beads…
Very nice, like the turn a
round concept for V in back. Save the sequins !
Fabulous job!
Good job! You can’t even tell it’s the same dress! Stay warm! 🙂
I am so impressed with your sewing and design skills. You have transformed some pretty ugly dresses into modern stylish clothing. Thanks for the inspiration.
Honey
Now that is a lot of time spent picking! I definitely wouldn’t have the patience, kudos to you. It is nice to have a warm dress, especially with these “Polar Vortex” incidents that keep happening.
It was mind-numbingly boring, I assure you. 🙂
Wow, you really wiped out those sequins. Well done! All the picking was worth it. I LOVE the new neckline.
Question for you, if you’re in the mood to answer it: when would you choose to use a serger vs the sewing machine. I’ve been trying to infer from context clues, but I’m not getting it. Is it just when you have a fabric that would fray a lot?
I have a very long bedazzled tunic that could easily morph into a respectable dress. Guess I know what I’ll be doing this week. I hope mine looks as good as yours does!
Have you ever done any purse or bag refashions? I would love to see one of these some day : )
Always love to see your creations. Especially like this one as halter top is not my style.
Looks fab. Perfect for cold weather.
I wish I had the talent that you have. I am just learning to sew and I’m still trying to get the straight line down. You do some great transformations!
I admit, I miss the sequins a little…
I think it looks great. You have given me the courage to do a makeover on a stretch velveteen dress that I wore several sizes ago (when I was bigger) and several years ago. Thanks! Oh, and if it doesn’t work, it will be scraps for my doll sewing!
Recently joined and love your blog and sense of humor ! I moved from Calif to NY a few months ago and looking for good thrift shops in NYC. I live in the Bronx and travel often to Manhattan….. will go anywhere for a good thrift store.
I love this dress and how you paired it with colorful tights. (:
http://accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com/
I too would like to see a scarf with it, too “plain Jane” for me. Would like to have seen an after pic of the back. I will have to get a serger! It looks like a magic machine!
You have a lot of patience with those sequins!
Beautiful. Yes, that cold spell really stunk. I was so happy to wake up to warmer weather today! (I’m in Lexington, SC)
Ooooooops !!! never mind….just saw the explanation between two of he photos !
Did you turn the dress around and make the ” V ” in the back ? I just saw it in the last photos and curious…… I am new to this and not the greatest of sewers. I need practice and EVERYTHiNG explained !!! LOL
You are an anti-sequin magician ;D
Oh I really love this one…especially since we too, are experiencing Mother Nature’s wrath right now…BRRRRR! I would totally rock a scarf with it!
Thanks for refashioning a sweater! I’m new to refashioning and do not have a serger, so to know you can just to a zigzag is great. Lookin fab!
Great sweater dress, Jillian! I am looking at buying a serger–would you recommend your brand/model to a newbie? Thanks!
I really like mine. It’s simple and pretty straightforward for a serger. 🙂
Until now I had totally forgotten we drank the Doughnut Break. Personally, I blame it the most.
Who is this mystery person that was apparently at X Marks the Spot???? 🙂 I confess…the dessert course is kinda hazy for me…