Sorry guys. No Wannabe Wednesday this week. :/ I’ve been uber-busy and just couldn’t quite make it happen. But don’t fret! I think this refashion will tide you over! 🙂
Once a year, the state agency I work for throws a fundraising gala that I have to attend/work at (Ain’t no party like a work party, cuz a work party is mandatory). Once a year I scramble at the last minute to throw something appropriate for the event together with my rather smallish salary.
Since I started refashioning, this task has gotten considerably less expensive. 🙂
The night before the big event, I had absolutely NO IDEA what the eff I was going to wear! I search through my refashionables, and settled on this:
It was the most formal-ish thing I could find, but that lining gave me pause. Allow me to show you why!
Want a closer look?
There was no flippin’ way I was going to wear this dress with the lining as-is, so I made quick work of getting all that grossness outta there!
Of course, these guys had to go as well!
AHHHHHHH! Much better already! 🙂
But I still wasn’t quite done removing stuff! My arms wanted a breather, so off those sleeves went!
This left some fray-crazy arm holes, so I pinned those down.
Then, I stitched ’em down!
I tried the dress on, but those arm holes were just too gape-y! So, I took in the sides a smidge!
I cut off the excess material with my pinking shears (so it wouldn’t fray), but still wasn’t happy with the length. Soooooooo…
I gave my new dress a new hem.
I’m still not quite done here. My new dress was still too big for me. :/ BUT, I came up with a no-sew fix! I grabbed a safety pin, folded the front fabric of the dress and pinned it like so…
..and now I have a gala-worthy creation that actually makes me look like I’m the kind of gal who could afford the cost of admission! 😉
You can see where I covered the safety-pinned waist with a vintage daisy brooch that belonged to my grandmother. It’s one of my faves! 🙂
While this event was definitely more work than play, It was fun getting to hang out with some of my awesome coworkers. 🙂
While assisting with the art sale part of the event, I ran into some cool people from the Columbia art scene!
Check out Clark’s awesome lamps that were a part of the big sale!
I was happy to see my friend (and fabulous fiber artist), Susan Lenz, too!
There was lots of really sweet South Carolina art to see. Here are a couple of my favorite pieces!
As the event winded down, a smartly dressed young lady approached me and said, “You’re the ReFashionista!!!” This totally made my day, so I snapped a pic with her and her nice fella, and promised to post it on the blog (See? I’m as good as my word!). 🙂
Cheers!
YOU LOOK STUNNING!!!
You did an awesome job with this one. It looks great!!! 🙂 Also I’ve decided to try out using skirts as tops as I saw in a few of your blogs. It actually works (with a little help) on most of my skirts except one. Strapless just isn’t a good idea for me so I have a tank top underneath or a button up short sleeve shirt that’s been rolled up and tied on top depending on the skirt. 🙂 I am very happy to have 5 “new” outfits that I can wear during pregnancy and during the summer but without having to buy more clothes or spend a long time sewing.
I think this is definitely one of my favorite refashions so far! Absolutely amazing, what you did to this dress! Looks amazing on you!
Best re:fash so far!!!!
I found your blog through Pinterest. The first post I read, I thought, “Man, I like this chick.” But then I got to this post and I read the words, “manky pads” and I lost it! Yours is my new favorite blog!
Awesome refashion on the dress and what a great event. Love Susan Lenz have been inspired by her creations. As well as by you. I have been a long time thrift store shopper and long time quilter. I just never really put the two together to refashion my finds. (although being 5’2″ I am an expert at shortening a pair of pants 😉 A co worker and I have started Refashion Friday to show off our new creations each week.
Love your broach trick. It turned out awesome! Great job!
Good job!! What a great eye!
fantastic.. speechless…
Nice one, that blue is such a fabulous colour on you.
I just finished reading your blog from the start to today! It is so interesting, it took me about a week of annoying my husband at night with my iPhone light and getting whistled at to start my car in the line at school to pick up the kids! HA! Anywho when I got to this post and saw no next button I was so sad. But rest assured I checked the date and can’t wait to see what you have next!!!! Ps. Those PBR earrings I saw in one of your refreshes over the last week are AWEEEESOME!!!!!!!!
AH!! So fabulous and you look smashing! Way to go 🙂
That turned out super cute! I love the color on you. Also, your hair is getting so long and looks totally glam in the pics!
I know you’re not a big fan of peplums, but this one is very flattering on you. I’m a pear shaped gal myself, so it’s nice to see you can pull it off! Btw, I can tell you’re wearing a slip 🙂 I don’t think it’s too revealing at all.
It’s one of the few peplums I’ve actually liked! I think because it’s longer in the back than the front! 🙂
Gorgeous. Stunning final fit! And I love how Larry Hembree seems to be wearing quite a fabulous hat at first glance… 🙂
Brilliant, gorgeous colour
You have such talent – love how you pulled it together to pin it. Your finished dress is gala-worthy, and I sincerely mean that.
GHASTLY TO GORGEOUS!!!!!
Amazing result! Have been following your blog for quite a while, and loving the inspiration, but haven’t commented before. Today I just had to! I would LOVE to be able to refashion something as awesome as this for the two weddings I am invited to this summer. I really have trouble finding clothes which fit me since I am, like you, quite tiny in size. You show a great solution to that problem! Time to hit the local second hand shop I guess…
/ My (yup, that’s my full first name) from Sweden
Those pictures of the original lining made my stomach a little queasy, were those stains caused by sweat?!? Ewww! You are such a brave soul, but the end result was great, and you looked terrific!
That turned out great! I also love your “refashion” of the song lyrics at the beginning of the post, I literally LOL!
OMG!!! You looked FANTASTIC! What an amazing re-fash! Great job and the artwork was amazing too!
I wasn’t sure I’d like where this was going (the before picture, my god!) but wowza, it looks great!
beautiful remake (and yes, I wouldn’t dare to wear it without lining but I have a different pair of legs…), and I want to compliment you on your hair, it looks wow lately! Did you do something special with it?
Another home run! Great job, and you look fantastic.
A fabulous refashion and the color looks wonderful on you! BTW, I noticed the slip straight away, probably because I bought two a few weeks ago 🙂
I think all the lining/slip comments are hilarious. You can totally see that you’re wearing a slip, it’s just shorter than the length of the dress (which I think looks cool).
I love this refashion, it looks super chic on you and I’m thrilled that you left the peplum on (even though you’ve made it clear that you aren’t the biggest fan of them). 😉
Bravo on another awesome job!
~Jen
http://www.diaryofamadmama.wordpress.com
Holy! What a transformation. If it wasn’t for the photos in between. I wouldn’t have believed it.
Looks great!
Amazing!! You inspire me to actually want to learn to sew!
Funny…I see the slip…I love this dress..you are amazing!
I see it too. Don’t know why people are freaking out at a little sheerness. It adds a nice “youthful” quality to the dress to see a bit of leg. 😀
Wow, this has to be one of my faves. It looks beautiful!
This is my favorite one so far. I love this dress.
Really cute BUT, don’t you think it’s quite shear? You can see right through it. Maybe a little lining wouldn’t have hurt after all. Doesn’t anyone wear a slip anymore?
I AM wearing a black slip underneath!!! 🙂
This tops them all!!! Gosh…i wish you sold your revivals, they’re always so unique
I am absolutely blown away by the transformation of this dress. I shop in a lot of second hand stores and I always make fun in my head of those hideous 80s dresses that hanging on the racks. Good job on bringing to 2013!
Ms Fashionista
I LOVE your blog! I am just a resent devotee but I look forward to your redos and comments. Great Job and I look forward to more.
Thank you soooo much for all the pics – you always show & explain what you did that I (who has 0 sewing skills) nod & follow what you did.
This color IS you!! & I can totally see the slip 🙂
Wow!Swanky! and the art’s not bad either lol
Oh no 🙁 I started reading this blog like 2 weeks ago and I’ve finally made it to the present. Now what will I do with my time??
What a transformation! That looks amazing
I sooooo enjoy your blog all the way fae Scotland!! xx
Oh, Wow, to think that this lovely dress was hiding in that sea of blue and, er..whatever that lining thing was! Fantastic! Makes me want to run to our local thrift store and see what I can find!
I thought you said before you don’t do peplum…? Anyway, totally awesomesauce.
LOVE it! The best refashion I’ve seen in ages!
Love your blog and all the inspiration! I have been losing weight and with 5 kids shopping for clothes is not going to happen. So, I did the next best thing and have attacked my closet of clothes that no longer fit. I have tailored a jacket and some shirts. The best part I found an old dress that is getting a new color and hopefully becoming the coolest maxi skirt! Thanks again for the inspiration!
Just wanted to let you know that your blog inspired me to try my hand at refashioning . . . which helped me when I decided I wanted to do something raise money to fight sex trafficking in America. So in part, YOU are the reason I started HopeCycle Refashions! 🙂 Thank you for the inspiration!
If you’re at all interested, the website is http://girly1988.wix.com/hopecyclerefashions 🙂
This might be one of your best ever Jillian! I too work for a nonprofit so I can TOTALLY relate to the work/gala thing and struggle every year with my attire as well. You ROCKED this look girl – well done!
Genius refash!! Gorgeous! Absolutely LOVE this!!
very clever, looks great on you
Your dress is gorgeous! Such an amazing re fash!
Lauren
livinginaboxx
What a transformation! It is such a pretty colour and looks great on you.
Wow, you’re so CLEVER! I love this piece, it looks wonderful!
Love, a fan from Norway (who’s flat is so small I can’t even fit a sewing machine)
I was wondering about the bottom too, did you leave some of the lining or did you just wear a long shaper underneath? It is a stunning color on you!
I just wore a black slip underneath! 🙂
You never cease to amaze with your refashes and your cuteness! Adore this … and the colour is amazing on you!
One of your BEST, girlfriend! 🙂 Love it!!
LOVE IT! But whoa the bottom of the dress looks almost see-through in the first final picture of it!
This is a another great refashion! I would be a wreck if I waited until the night before, but you always make it work out wonderfully!
You look so cute. The dress was fab!
That looks amazing! And it’s even got a peplum! 😉
Wow! What a transformation! You did a great job. It looks fantastic…and fancy…Nailed It! 😀
So in the totally-small-world-department….we have two of Clark’s lamps! (My b/f used to work at Art Bar) The internet always makes me forget that people actually LIVE somewhere, and aren’t just floating around in the ether – I’ve been following you for a bit but I had no idea you were down in Cola. So ‘allo from Charlotte! *waves*
Amazing, incredible, fantastic !!!
One tiny little thing & maybe I am being too old fashioned…look at your finished picture, at your legs. Think you might need to add a little bit of lining back. Sorry, I just happened to notice…not that the rest isn’t fab.
Whaaaaa? I’m wearing a slip! 🙂
Must of been a mighty short slip. lol
Love it!!!! Fantastic!!!!
1 word… wow!!
A stunning refash! That was one hideous dress, it takes a lot of imagination to turn it into something so adorable!
F~A~B~U~L~O~U~S!!!
Are you kidding me?!?! What an amazing transformation! Love this post!
Amazing!
Awesome!
This on is great! Everytime you do something awesome like this, I kick myself in the hinder. All those years of passing up fugly dresses! AHH!
Haha, seriously!! So much awesomeness could have been had with those fugly dresses.
One of my faves! Looks fantastic!