Basil Dress
Here’s a sad & faded frock I’ve had on my refashion rack for a few months:
At least it has pockets? I don’t know. This is a lousy dress, folks. As I’m not a church lady from the 1980’s, this isn’t working for me…yet!
When I encounter a dress like this that I’m not quite sure what I want to do with, I’ve found that any step forward is probably in the right direction.
I started with those ghastly pads.
Since the colors on this dress were oh-so-faded, I knew I needed to dip into some dye!
Now, I didn’t use two whole bottles on one garment, as that would just be insane. I only had a little bit of the Kelly Green leftover, and I tossed in about 1/4 of the Dark Green as well. After about 40 minutes in the dye bath, I rinsed and dried my newly-dyed frock. 🙂
Sadly, I was still far from done. :/
It was time for some snippage! First those sleeves needed to be made shorter & sweeter!
Next, I needed to make it actually fit me. Don’t worry! The pockets were left in tact, but made just a little bit smaller!
After cutting off that excess fabric with my pinking shears (Get You Some!), I still had a bit more snippage to do!
We’re in the home stretch, folks! Those raw edges needed to be tended to, and that’s exactly what I did!
Now for the sleeves! This is a 2 part process.
First, I got rid of those raw edges…
…then I folded the top part of each sleeve over itself, like so:
This little trick makes my poufy sleeves more fitted, but a little poufier at the top. Usually that’s a little twee for me, but I thought it worked well for this dress.
What do you think?
My new dress had fun at an apartment-warming party for a good friend who just moved to Columbia! 🙂
Of course, I didn’t come empty-handed.
My friends and I look forward to hanging out at Cole’s new digs, which we have coined “The Cole Train Depot”. 😉
So happy to have another lovely friend living in this swell city. 🙂
Cheers!
92 Comments
Auds
Woaw, I did not expect you to be able to save that dress… The end result is really cute ! Well done !
katherina5flibbertigibbet
Hello! I love your refashions. I’m a student and I want to dress fab but often my budget limits me. Reading your blog made me inspired and I want to follow some of your refashions. Can you suggest me a good cheap sewing machine that works well? Which one do you use? Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks! ^_^ You rock \m/
ReFashionista
Hiya! I recently upgraded my machine to one that’s way to fancy for me. BUT I recommend Brother sewing machines. It’s a good brand, and you can find some really affordable ones.
Taruni Kancharla
Thanks ^_^
Desarae
Adorbs! I love what you did with this dress, it looks very vintage-chic! I’m not a fan of green normally, but I would totally wear this lovely shade! The little trick with the sleeves is genius, and I really like the way it looks! Great job!
jme
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that dress print color style, everything about it!!
One question how do you keep your dyes from running when washed later? Everything I have ever dyed runs.
ReFashionista
I wash everything in cold water. Never had an issue. 🙂
jme
I wash everything in cold too.going to have to figure this out
marissawillerick
I just love this print!
Bernie
Love the dress and I also love that you have chosen to stay away from the alcohol. Btdt Good luck and we all are supporting you.
tap752
So cute! I would wear this in a second.
stefkrievins
Agreed! This is my favorite refashion I’ve seen you do!! Can I just buy it from you?
D
Hands down, my favorite refashion of yours by far. Amazing. I bet you could use pink, purple dye on similar patterns, too. I’ll be looking at my local thrift store for something similar – I’d love a skirt out of a dress like this! Great job and thanks for the weekly inspiration!
Michelle Krzmarzick
Love it! This is one of my favorites. You’ve got your mojo (Sew Jo) back!
Carla
I love them all, but I REALLY love this one!!!
Beckylou Riffle-Corley
gotta tell you, this one is a keeper. For your size and shape the remake suits you, i even love the green die, it really really works, and also the belt is right for this dress. I keep an eye on what your posting and i don’t always comment but this one was very nice. Good job!
Kat
Oh, wow, I LOVE the green! It makes such a difference! Do you think you might (or maybe you already have) do a post or tutorial on how to dye garments some time?
I have only done tie-dye t-shirts in a plastic tub. Do you use your washing machine for something like this project? Can I use dye in a front loader? Thanks!
Eve Smith
Love the dress! Ummm, you and Cole make a VERY cute couple… just sayin’… 🙂 xo
ReFashionista
Ha! I’m afraid this lovely gentleman is already taken. 🙂
Marci Vandercapellen
Hi, I’m not sure how I came across your blog, but I sure do enjoy what you do. I always look forward to a new Refashionista. You have inspired me to get busy sewing again, thank you.
Callie Carling (@CallieCarling)
Brilliantly done!!!! You have such a wonderful eye for turning something hideous into something really chic!
Roseanne Floyd
Fab job! I wish I could sew like you do. I am looking into a dress form…..
Liza
That’s definitely my favorite since I started following you!
Aden Cardin
so cute!
Christina
I have faith in you, but when I saw the first picture, I thought “This time there is no way that is going to end up looking good.” But you did it! Fantastic!! 🙂
Sharon
I also love it! It’s one of my favs that you have done. Great work
Carly
love, Love, LOVE!!
laurenmaria84
Looks great, love the colour
Lauren
livinginaboxx
raisa
wow! it’s my new favourite one! the new colour is perfect!
Sharon
What criteria do you use when choosing a piece for refashioning? Some of those dresses have been diabolical 🙂
Priscilla
Love it! Great job!
I have a question:
How did you menage to keep the pockets opening while sawing the sides of the dress?
Thanks!
ReFashionista
I just pinned them carefully along with the rest of the dress. 🙂
Kat
This is amazing!! Love!!!
Demaris
You are so stinkin’ cute! I love reading your posts. I’m living the single life vicariously through you. You make the end of my day happy 😉
You go girl!
Renee Magouche
I love this transformation! The sleeve tuck is a great tip. I am so happy you’ve got your mojo back! <3
Hindihanna (@hindihanna)
I LOVE this dress!! Really love it! I’m so sad it’s not available in stores! The downside of refash. 😉
Jo H.
Great results! Love the colour and the sleeves especially. Your vegs are impressive 🙂
Sammy Stayton
One of my favorites! I loved the sleeve trick.
Nikki
I think this is easily my favorite refashion you’ve done. You nailed it; I am so impressed. It’s gorgeous!
Krisan Williams
I think this is my favorite one….like…ever! All your refashions are great but there’s just something about this one. LOVE IT!! 😉
Connie
Great color results. Green is tricky to get to look pretty when dying. You did it.
Alyce
Love it! This is my favourite refashion so far
Kris Mednikov
BRAVO!! You certainly have your mojo back. I love everything about this dress!
Susan
Very cute, would make a lovely dress to wear to work in the summer!
Rebecca
Very successful refashion. The neckline and sleeve combination is perfect for you.
ladycynthiana
Love the color, love the print, love the sleeves, love the length… Maybe I should have just said I love everything about this!
Alishia
You are pretty awesome! I have started refashioning because of you!
On a side note, I would LOVE it if you would watch and share my 4th graders’ music video! Here is the link: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fBlNSOsYYXU
Or, search YouTube for “ROAR ~ Prime Numbers parody”. Pretty please & thank you!!
Gina
Great Job. Very creative color choice. It really adds richness to the dress. Looks like a $400 from a boutique.
Nancy B
You amaze me!!! Great job.
Kathy
Great dress
Allison
Really really cute! I think it’s my favorite of all you’ve done:)
cljhansen
Makes for a really cute dress, I love the green color! Way to go!
Ang
Love it! Your dye job came out beautifully.
Ang
Bridget
I adore this dress ď
Carrie
Looks GREAT! Love the new color, and the pleat on the sleeves is perfect. Also, perfect belt. 🙂
Jessie Stracener
That is a huge improvement!
Galadriel
Wow what a great transformation! I love that you’re growing veggies too 🙂
Allison
LOVE IT! You are adorable and very clever. I so enjoy your blog! Some day when I have more time I’d like to try some refashioning! My daughter will be a Jr. at University of South Carolina this fall. Her/our home state is Pennsylvania’s, but she loves it down there! Keep on refashioning!
Janette
Wow! You have made one so nice I finally can’t resist the urge to comment. This is my favorite!! Well done!
Abby
I really love this one!
Melissa
Great job. I love that you mixed dye. I just ordered some more dye from Amazon and I am going to do some mixing of my own ;D
Librarienne
This came out to be a really cute dress. Nice!
mancunianvintage
Uh-ma-zing! You look fab – and what a bloomin transformation from old lady dress to hello here’s a basil plant! 😛
http://www.mancunianvintage.com
Agatha L.
Beautiful color and change, would have preferred a v-neck.
Diane
This turned out beautifully! The color is gorgeous and it really made the paisley print pop!
Ashleigh.Michelle
I love the way it turned out! Love the color and the sleeves look great.
Dee
Wow this is Ah-maze-ing! Everything from the color to the little poofed sleeves. This is definitely a favorite!
Leona
You rocked it, you own it! Question: I am dye-shy. How do you set the dye and do you ever have problems washing died garments?
Sandi Baete
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!! Did I mention I LOVE IT??!!!
Vicki Hensley Dudek
this is just one of the many great ideas ….. beautiful!!!
Flo
This is one of my faves, too cute! The green dye job is perfect too.
Jenna
This is probably one of my favorite refashions of yours ever. No, scratch that. This is my favorite. Can I get one? Lol
Angela
Great refashion! I love green and paisley!
Kristin
this is my favourite refashion this year! so cute 🙂
Eileen
Love the sleeve detail and the color turned out great on this dress! Good job!!
Diane
That dress is awesome!! You look fantastic!
Sunny
I want it!
cherylmclaugh
i think that’s my all time favorite of yours!
Amelia
Love the color! The more I read your blog the more I want to really try a true refash, I don’t just know if I have the skills. I look at what you do and think about what I would have done.
Christina
You’ve got to just try it! Starting with a cheap used garment removes most of the risk. If you don’t succeed at first, you will at least learn something! Go for it!
Amelia
Yea, I just have to jump in. First I need to get a good sewing machine. I have just one of those little hand held ones for quick craft projects.
Leona
(smh) When you’re right, you are so very right! Thanks. I needed that. =)
Joyce
I’ve looked into buying a dress form, any recommendations on a good one? There are so many to choose from. Thank you! I love the refashion.
blacklambphotography
Great transformation. I have a question. When you dye clothes, does the dye run when you wash it again? I seem to remember that happening when I attempted to dye clothes back in the day.
amazingmae
Fantastic job! A few weeks ago when I found your blog, I became so excited and inspired by all your swell refashioning that I am now accidentally finding myself in our local goodwill parking lot, and then suddenly inside, rushing through racks to find a dress with the most potential! Thanks for doing what you do!!
Terra
Amazing! The color is so pretty!
Tami Lee
Oh, much much better!
violetgypsie
Love, love, love it! So dang cute! (Glad to see you are still off the sauce too, see it’s not stifling your creativity 🙂
kew410
Big love on this transformation! I LOVE IT! 🙂 Glad you’re sewing again…you are too good at this to now be doing it. 🙂
karenbail1963ey
welldone, complete transformation.
Ann
One of your best refashions in months. Definitely a favorite!
cricutbarista
I love this dress! I especially like the new color.