I shouldn’t play favorites, but I have to let you know…I love refashioning old lady dresses more than anything else. There. I said it, and I’m standing by it. 🙂
This one was donated from Revente’s Last Call. Besides being all old ladylike, it had a few spots that I was able to get out in the wash. 🙂
Most of these bad dresses I get are by Liz Claiborne. Liz. Liz. Liz. Tsk! Tsk! What the hell were you thinking?
I got to work. First off, those pads of shoulderitude were ripped out.
Next, I cut out those massive sleeves.
Then, I took the dress in about 2″ on each side. I also took in the big gaping arm holes 5″, as they were quite gapey indeed!
I sort of did something stupid in the taking-in process. :/ I took in the bottom just as much as I took in the top. Look at the “before” pic. The bottom is much narrower than the top. I couldn’t get into this dress when I was done. Luckily (very very luckily) someone had taken this dress in from the back at some point, and didn’t cut off the excess material (whew!). I just used my seam ripper to undo that seam, shortened the dress, and all was well! This is why you can’t go on autopilot when you’re refashioning…you’ll end up making really dumb mistakes that are really hard to undo!
Fortunately, my dress turned out just fine!
I used the Obi Belt I made for my awesome Trouser Dress to cinch the waist. 🙂
I wore my svelte new frock to the Art Bar for a bit of Karaoke. 🙂
Cheers!
I just found you this evening. Have been laughing out loud. You are so funny and very clever. I am an avid thrift store shopper and have altered many dresses, blouses, etc. I especially love your old lady dresses. You are so right about the weather here in SC. Winter is a breeze compared to up north. Keep on altering.
My jaw literally dropped for this one. It is gorgeous! What a transformation!
I wish I had a pic of my husband’s face when I showed him the original dress! lol
But it made a beautiful refashion–LOVE the color!
I Love this one!!!! What a huge difference!
One of my all time favs of yours I think – well done !!
All I can say is HOT!
I love it, the fabric is beautiful and it’s a great colour on you, great job!
I can’t believe the difference between the beginning and the finished product! Looks great!
Before and after pics are really fun…..I like this “after” dress! So cute!
Definitely not an old lady dress by the time you had finished with it…it´s stunning!
Thank you so much!
Wow – that looks absolutely AMAHZING on you – extremely flattering, I LOVE it!
Thanks! I was really happy with how this one turned out! 🙂
My favorite so far!