Sometimes it’s fun to make a vintage dress from one era look like a vintage dress from a completely different era!
Take this dress from the 1980s:
It’s not very exciting, is it? I saw several details I really liked, such as that lace front panel and the pleating on the front bodice. But it was just too blah for a fun day of celebrating with friends! :/
Don’t fear! I knew exactly what I needed to do to transform this dress from 80’s meh to 60’s mod!
First, I trimmed off the sleeves.
Then, I plopped my new dress onto my form and got pinning!
A quick stitch session ensued!
I still needed to close up those arm holes. First, I added a few triangular notches to make them fold under nicely.
Of course, I had to pin & stitch them down!
I chopped off a bit from the bottom of my dress, going for a 1960’s mod length!
Even though this tight-knit polyester fabric wasn’t going to fray, I still give that raw a nice new hem. 🙂
It was so close to what I wanted, but my new dress desperately needed a bit more ooomph! I had a nifty idea for how to make the top of the dress more interesting. I began ripping off part of that lace panel, like so:
Then, I pinned & stitched it all back down.
I cut a small section from the original hem of the dress and stitched it right above the lacey section.
I tossed on some retro shades, a thick belt, some fab wedges, and a funky thrifted scarf, and was ready to go!
My pals and I had a blast wandering around Main Street for the SC Pride Festival!
I had a brief, but terrifying encounter with a giant purple spider!
Thankfully, Dan was able to protect me.
We even got to witness the musical stylings of the 80’s legend, Berlin!
Cheers!
I love your brain and I always enjoy seeing what your plan is for all of your refashions. This is one of my favorites!
I stumbled upon your blog via “on the banks of Stony Creek”, you are my new hero!! Such a creative woman!!!
That dress would look sooo cute with some red flats (just sayin) 😀
Amazing!
super cute!
Have you ever made a dress out of a thrifted sheet? I would really like to see you do that! Expand your awesome talent even further! Or make a cute skirt from a pillowcase!
I have not…but I should! 🙂
Love the look of the your newest sewing feat (completed with some sewing feet …lol…sorry, I am easily amused ;c) and I love the square neckline. The inserted detail at the neckline is so 60’s …looks like you walked off the set of Mad Men. Great job!
Very nice!
I have tried a few refashion experiments lately and tanked them all. I haven’t found my groove yet, I guess. Looking through your blog archives, it seems like everything you try works out. Do you have any refash projects that just didn’t work? Just curious!
Great refashion! I think the way you treated the lace panel was a good stylistic move. Cut-outs are in right now, so it adds a modern twist to a vintage look. Might I suggest something, though? I’ve noticed that you notch and/or turn under and hem most of your armholes. While that’s a quick and easy way to do it, I’ve found that armhole seams I’ve sewn using that method almost invariably look bulky. Have you considered using bias tape on your more “delicate” looking refashions? This is a delicate dress, and bias tape inside the armholes would definitely give it a smoother look on the outside. Just a thought 🙂
I think that’s your best yet!
Love what you’ve done here! Inspired!
it looks good and I like the colour too . Great how you totally changed it .
I think this is my favorite refashion of yours yet!
I like the neck detail. And it must be quite a bit cooler to wear in your weather than having the front closed up to the neck!
This is presh!!!! I think it’s one of your best refashions… which is saying a lot =D
I so agree this is her very best recent refashion. I love it too.
Edith
I have to say, I have been lingering and stalking (haha!) your blog for a little while now and did not feel the need to post until today…. I LOVE this refash!!! You are such an inspiration to me! I have only recently learned to sew; my hubs bought me my first machine for Christmas (2012). I have used so many of your refash’s as a tutorial/guide. Thank you for sharing your creativity 🙂
You just know here to take chances and snips!!! Have u always been into redoes ?
Thanks! Nope. Didn’t start sewing until I was in my late 20’s. 🙂
FIRST PRIZE!!!!!
I, too, agree that the string around the neck would irritate the life out of me. And I loved the lace panel, too good of a detail to mess with. Loved the color and material!
Honestly–not my favorite. I LOVED what potential I saw in the original dress. I wish you hadn’t chopped up that lace panel, I thought it was lovely. The neck strap weirds me out. And question: why do you always chop the length? I understand needing a stylish length, but do you find being a smaller person, that it is always necessary? I myself am NOT a smaller person (haha!) so i’m legitimately curious. I’m not trying to be a troll or anything.
I agree with the length, it seems that most if not all dresses and skirts are cut quite short.. I would like to see her create some longer length calf and also ankle length and
may be include some pencil skirt type bottoms. but of course easy for us to say, she is doing all the hard work with what the found allows her to do.
Edith
I think this is the cutest refash you’ve ever done!
Very cute!
LOVE!! You are such an inspiration!
Love the neckline…totally makes it pop!
I really love this one. You give out such great ideas through your blog. It is always a pleasure turning to read your wittiness as well as look and be inspired by what you have done. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful refashion – I would not have seen the potential in that original dress!
This is one of the best yet! I also like Edith YourChicagoConnection’s challenge to you! Are you going to take the challenge??
I sure hope she will…. I need some inspiration, to go into my own closet and turn three into one, making space and creating a new wardrobe.
Edith
Very cute! And those shoes!!! Adorable!
Cute – but I’m not loving the strap at the neck.
Cute and sassy!
Wow!
This one is a keeper , it looks great
I LOVE your eye for detail and am inspired to look at the elements of “found” clothing beyond that whole-picture first-impression (I would have walked away at “meh” instead of seeing the potential in this dress). Thanks for your detailed process pix and sense of humor along the way!
now that’s what I call VISION! Totally fabulous!
I would love to see you drop this in some dye to see how it does (or doesn’t) taking to a new color.
I literally gasped when I saw the finished dress!! This is my favorite EVER! You styled it beautifully and it is so unique! A complete winner!!!
I must say of all the refashioned items you have done recently I like this one best, or let’s say it is MY favorite…. really cute …. job well done. I have a challenge for you…
Do you want it? Take 3 items you find and turn all three of them into ONE extra-ordinary new outfit, skirt and vest, dress and scarf and belt or something NOUVEAU!!!
Why I am asking? Well here is why, I intend to reduce the amount of individual items I already have in my closets (yes plural !) into fewer items, by taking 3 and turning them
into one new outfit, instead of giving them away —– Any great ideas you want to share with us?
Edith