I absolutely adore my friends (In case you can’t tell by the rather prolific amount of pics of them I post here). Needless to say, I was super excited to take a weekend trip to Georgia Wine Country with a few of them. 🙂
All I needed was something cool and comfortable to wear! A strapless dress perhaps!
I chose this dress (Don’t worry, we’re getting to the strapless part!):
There’s a lot to loathe about this dress. Those shoulder pads, puffy sleeves, and blousy top just aren’t working for me.
But that print is lovely, and the fabric is lightweight and cool…perfect for a day sipping vino on a winery’s veranda!
This one wasn’t hard at all!
First I made a big chop.
Then, I created a casing from that top edge, like so:
I left a tiny gap just large enough to thread some elastic through.
I wrapped a piece of elastic right under my arms and pulled it to where it was snug without being uncomfortable.
Then I snipped it and threaded it through my new casing, using this awesome doodad!
You can find a bodkin on your very own right here:
I stitched the ends of the elastic together, then stitched the small gap I left for the threading of said elastic.
That’s it!
Now I have a cool & comfy strapless frock!
Much wine was tasted!
Much fun was had!
Much beauty was seen!
I even made a new friend!
You should just go ahead and plan a Georgia Wine Country visit of your very own! 🙂
Cheers!
I tried to follow your link to Georgia wine country and it took me to the European country of Georgia. They make wine there too!
I’m not one to wear a strapless, but it looks great on you! By the way, I’m taking your photo to my hairstylist because I like your haircut!!
Love this one, have a great weekend!!
I gave it a 5, possibly because of the wine I’m drinking right now. I do love that print, though!
I’m always amazed at how often our lives cross over. You were in my town, and my hubs is often in your town playing music. It’s like that movie Sliding Doors, lol. I do encourage everyone to do a wine tour! So much fun!
I think what you do is FANTASTIC! I am always looking for the “right” thing to transform, but I have yet to find it. Maybe soon….I have a question. What do you do with fabric you cut off and don’t use? Do you recycle it? Donate? Toss? Thanks!
Thanks! If the fabric is of usable size, I save it. Otherwise it turns into puppy rope toys or cleaning cloths!
I love your blog and you are so funny and full of life. Oh, and I like the before pictures a lot. I anxiously expect your post and refashions 🙂
How cute you are so talented
I hope this isn’t a terribly stupid question, but the last few times I’ve tried to sew elastic, it’s broken my needle. Am i doing something wrong?
It’s super frustrating as a almost beginner to get a project to that point and then run into a snafu like a broken needle. 😛
Hmmmm…I’m not sure. You might need to try using a more heavy duty needle?
Super cute! I have one of those doo-dads and I had NO IDEA what it could be used for until now. Thank you so much!
Very pretty late summer dress. The color and print very flattering on you. Unfortunately the length was not flattering. You have nice legs and you’re still young enough to wear just above your knees.
Long dresses are actually very much in fashion right now.
I am 29 and dont tend to wear anything above knee. i think it looks more classic and pretty. I like the length of this dress as it is strapless
I have to tell you. I look forward to every one of your posts and went back through all your old ones when I first discovered your blog. It really is not easy to do what you do. I was a clothing designer for years and it is much easier sometimes to make something from scratch then it is to refashion something. Not always, but often. I have many things that I think I’m going to redo but just don’t work out when I try. But mostly I just love your whole fun attitude and approach. thanks for the entertainment. And good ideas. Have to get myself a bodkin!
You know you’re from the South when you can correctly use the term doodad.
Such a cute refashion. No one would ever know it was a hideous 90’s dress. Keep up good work. Love to look at your projects.
Lovely! And cute animals to boot! You sure know the way to my heart 🙂
Very nice!
The technical name for your “awesome doodad” is a bodkin.
I got mine years ago. I worked at a fabric store. Employees were given tools from time to time so that we could know from experience how awesome they are and therefore push promote their sale. Were it not for that promotion I would still be using a safety pin (because of my frugal ways) and never have known what I was missing. It truly is an awesome doodad!
Beyond adorable. Girl, THAT’S your color. Great job!
Good job, I also like that the dress is long but not dragging on the floor.
Love it! Also, Frogtown is my favorite 🙂 have you had Personality??
Thanks! I DID, but my fave was Shotgun! 🙂
Lovely as usual!
I really like this one. Very cute!
It does seem to me that in the before and after picture the dress(es) are the same length. 🙂
Cute dress 🙂 Hope you enjoyed your visit to my town. Yes, great wineries here
I love seeing your refashions. However, it seems so many of them end up strapless. Why can’t you refashion things with sleeves more frequently? I think you would broaden your audience. Hmmm, maybe I should challenge you to do more refashions with sleeves???
Fabulous! And yes, bodkins are awesome! Much better than safety pins for threading things.
Hello it is me again! I forgot to also ask you where can I find that tool at (the one to pull elastic through casings)? Thank you again!
Hi there! Just search for “Bodkin” on amazon! 🙂
Hi, I love your creations! I’m sure you have answered this question many times before but here it is again. What is the name of the tool you use to pull elastic through a casing? Thank you again for sharing your talent.
It’s called a Bodkin! And it’s terrific!
Did you know…..a bodkin was also known as a device to test “marks of the devil.” On an accused witch, marks (freckles, warts, scars) would not bleed if pricked. Just a wee bit of historic info….
I use a large safety pin to pull elastic through a casing. Or a small one if thin casing and thin elastic, since I’m bodkinless….
Love, Love, Love – and I actually like it better because you kept it a little long.
You not only have a great figure for a strapless dress but you have great arms. Now those two things are very important for a strapless dress! Amazingly wonderful.
Very cute!! I would go a little shorter on the length too. Only because i’m short and long lengths tend to make me frumpy. I love wine tasting!!
Love this dress! Just wish I could wear strapless. I have some Frogtown wine before too. Not bad!
You are such an inspiration! I love reading your posts on refashioning. It really gets me thinking creatively.
Love when an email pops into my inbox letting me know there is a new post. I recently found your site and I am so impressed with your refashions. I may not be super creative and crafty but your blog has inspired me to hit up charity shop here in Dublin and check out the racks and see what I can do(so far not much but hey it’s early days!)Keep up the great work and look forward to more inspiring ideas.
I love this one! I do love little strapless dresses and have one at home right now I just may have to do this with. Really getting into the “refashioning” since I found your blog. I love it!!!! Keep up the great work!
Brilliant! Wish I could pull off a strapless number like you!