We could all use a little luck right about now, couldn’t we?
That’s why I opted for this $1 thrifted dress for today’s refashion, rather than holding off until St. Patrick’s Day as I had originally planned.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which will very likely go to my cocktail budget. Thanks!
Upon closer inspection, I discovered the clovers on the top of this dress were only of the 3-leafer variety. :/
You win again, 2020. You. Win. Again.
I still loved that clover print and the contrast between it and the navy skirt.
I was less fond of the neck tie thingies and the fit.
And just like that, my idea for a DIY Halter Dress Refashion was born!
First, I snipped off those neck tie thingies and put them aside.
These will be put to good use in just a bit!
I put my dress on my dress form and pinned where I thought the new top of my dress should begin.
I had to make sure I had the length I wanted for the top part, while still allowing the dress to fit around me. If I came up short, the dress would be really unflattering!
I took my dress off the form and made a chop!
Then, I put it back on my dress form, and began taking it in from the back.
I thought taking the dress in from the back would help me preserve those pockets without having to remove and re-attach them.
SPOILER ALERT: That didn’t work out. :/
I sewed my single seam down.
Then, I trimmed off the excess fabric with my pinking shears.
I folded over the top part of my dress and pinned it in place.
As I said before, getting enough length for the top of this dress was crucial. It needed to fall at my waist just right! That’s why I didn’t fold this top part under twice. Don’t worry! The fabric is polyester and it won’t fray!
I sewed the top part down.
Then, I pinned those two neck tie thingies to the front!
I stitched each one to the front.
Time to remove the pockets.
I know. What I’m about to do is highly controversial.
I like pockets. I love pockets. But my original plan to keep these pockets didn’t work.
I can explain! I ended up needing to take in the back more than I’d originally planned, which moved the pockets almost completely behind me.
Just imagine how awkward putting your hands in pockets that are completely situated on your keister would look, because that’s exactly how it looked.
So I did what needed to be done.
I pinned each pocket down.
Then, I closed them off forever.
With a tear in my eye, I cut them off…cursing to the wind at my fate.
But enough sadness! Let’s look at the finished Refashion, eh?
I think it turned out REALLY cute! I’m glad I kept the length as-is as I love that darling front bottom pleat!
Just look at the back!
I wore my new dress to work remotely with a solo socially-distanced beverage.
Perhaps my new frock will bring me a bit of luck! Fingers crossed!
Did you happen to catch my article from Buzzfeed? If you like it, please share & spread the Refashion love!
Cheers!
Given the nature of 2020, I might be tempted to add the fourth leaf to those clovers in hopes that things will get better! Super cute refashion!
I love that you kept the ties long enough to tie behind the neck – so cute. Great job, and congratulations on the Buzzfeed article!
Loved the refashion halter dress – yeah intake of breath when I saw them pockets go tho!
I have a couple of party dresses worn at works xmas do’s obviously can’t wear the same dress again – if I could just work out what to refashion them into – it would be great to get more than 1/365 wear out of it.
I’ll take a photo of both and see if inspiration happens ; )
Nice Buzzfeed article and another super cute refashion! I really do hope you start refashioning for other body types, although we might have to wait until we get that Covid-19 vaccine. I’ve been doing sporadic refashions on hand-me-downs and thrift clothing for decades. I thought I might be the only one doing that until I saw your blog! You’ve given me renewed inspiration! Thank you!
With weight gain and eczema on my shoulders, I can’t go sleeveless, and would love to see ideas on compensating for tops and dresses that are too big at the shoulders while still keeping the sleeves. Solutions that sometimes work for me: taking the fabric in at the back, stitching elastic along the inside shoulder seam, stitching over gathers on the front of the shoulder with multi-colored threads, inserting pleats at the back and/or the front. Sometimes, with forgiving design and fabric, I can simply take it in where the sleeve meets the armhole, but that can be tricky.
I do love the dress, super cute, but the game changer had me even more curious. I looked up the recipe and have decided I seriously need one of them in my hot little hand. Sounds delish!
Beautiful, great job. Always a nice refashioned, be safe.
One of your cutest yet. And so flattering on you. The garden gnome in the background appears to be checking you out and smiling in approval. Great BF article. If I hadn’t read every single one of your posts from the get-go, that article and the photos would make me want to!
Adorable work-from-home outfit !! I am having a real Mercury Retrograde(MR) effect: after a long day of miss-ups, my last task was to mend and item on my sewing machine. 4″ in and the needle broke off! Oooof. Maybe MR affected your pocket scheme? Not only do we have pandemic, we’ve got MR! Havoc is being wreaked!
Super cute! Though if the top half of the original dress had been a stand alone blouse, I totally would’ve worn it as is.
Love the dress! I loved the Buzzfeed article! I especially loved seeing that you want to start working on other body styles! I’d love to see refashions for plus sized ladies! I volunteer for practice! I’m really interested in your workshop idea. As someone who can’t even thread her machine properly (the bobbin defeats me every time), is volunteer to test your workshops and make sure they are idiot-proof!
Love this refashion, so cute. I loved your buzzfeed article.
Embrace the shamrocks! So much cooler than boring four-leaf clovers. Looks nice.
Love the refashion, great job!
Gratz on that snazzy new dress and awesome Buzzfeed article! Shared, and shared again 🙂
Great job with the halter. The length should of been shorter. More playful. Got legs girl. Show them
Where to you get all that energy, enthusiasm and inventiveness … I want some of that!! Your secret please.
Great BuzzFeed article! Your mention of refashioning for different body types is a wonderful idea. Plus size refashion would perhaps bring a whole new group of followers.
Gorgeous! My favorite refashion, too! Would you recommend getting a dress form? How easy is it to get the form to your size?
I love how this refashion turned out. You are so darn clever. I would have passed that one over. Well done.
Cute..very “ Gertie” pinup style. Va va va voom “Gertie is a pattern designer in case you are wondering.