Hand(re)made
Some of my favorite thrift store finds are handmade garments. Some industrious person picking out a pattern, then going shopping for fabric and spending hours making something special for themselves is a lovely thought…even when it doesn’t quite seem to turn out the way they might have intended like this frock:
I’m not quite sure what happened here. It sort of looks like someone didn’t quite follow the directions that came with the pattern, as some parts of this dress weren’t put together right.
Also, whoever made the original dress seems to have cut the fabric along the bias, which made it stretch in weird ways that weren’t altogether comfortable.
It’s okay…I can work with it. 🙂
First, I put the dress on my form to get it a bit more nicely fitted. There was no zipper or anything, so I made sure to not make it so fitted that I couldn’t wiggle into it.
I put each side through my machine, then cut off the extra fabric.
The neckline hadn’t been sewn down in parts, so I decided to just use that as an excuse to make it into a nice wide V.
I stitched the new neckline down, then restitched a few other seams that were coming undone.
I think that awkward frock is much improved now!
My new dress was perfect for an evening cookout with some lovely friends. 🙂
After the cookout, I headed off to see The Woggles!
It was an awesome show, and if you get a chance to see them, you definitely should!
Cheers!
51 Comments
VRGJS
Very cute dress! Thanks for sharing!
mishqueen
I totally get it how hot it is there in Columbia, yet…every time you refash a dress to KNEE-length, you look so perfect! I really would love to see you in more knee length since it is SO flattering on you! I can’t get enough of the few times you have done it, I keep doing back to those pics and smiling. It’s your cut, I’m sorry to say. 🙂
fivepaintedlane
Love this one! Thats amazing!
alicia
This one is amazing! You look so cute in the AFTER dress!
marissawillerick
SO CUTE!
igetmycraftyfrommymama.blogspot.com
redhead
It’s amazing! The first thought that came to my mind when I saw this was “This might be the ugliest print I ever saw in my life.” And now I really love the colour and the dress you made of it. I wouldnt even have taken that dress for free from the thrift store and you made it just a perfect summery dress! Really pretty!
Jamie
Looking at your before, I wasn’t a fan of the print. Reminded me of root beer barrel candies. You Jillian are a master of your craft and it shows. I love what you did. The color pops on you. My passion is recycling. I’m always drawn to your stitching stylings.
Regan Sk Canada
Phew, you’re back…I think this is one of your best yet! And chill Jillian, you are young, talented and love weenie dogs…what could be better? Nothing but good times ahead, just let them come to you. 🙂
Sara Feltner
Great re-do! I hope you’re feeling better – it is frustrating when we have a creative block, especially with something we love to do. Hang in there – hugs from Louisville, Kentucky!
Lori
I agree with all the comments above. So glad to see you posting. And I also truly wish I could look at a piece and see it’s potential the way you can. Sometimes after you have altered an item I can see and think “or she could have done this” but it usually takes your initial idea to make my creative juices kick in. I am obviously not the idea creator, more the idea expander. LOL
Bri
Great remake, awesome that you got to put it to use right away!
Demaris
You have the best social life! I always can’t wait til the end of your blog to see where you took your new creation. Keep up the stylin’ work 😉
Danille
So glad you got your mojo back!!!!!
Carrie
You always find a way to make anything look cute. What most people don’t realize is that accessorizing can also make a huge difference. It can dress up or down an outfit. This is one thing that I have noticed that you do well. Great Job!!!
Karen Petitt
Gorgeous re-fash – a truly pretty vintage dress and I love that you altered an unloved creation x
Laurie
Love the look. You look so happy – glade you are back.
Catherine
I would love to have your vision. When I look at your before pictures, all I see is something I would never wear. I don’t know how you can look at those items and see the cuteness, yet time and again, you amaze me with darling after pictures. I feel guilty for ever throwing away an outfit. You are so talented!
Marci Vandercapellen
Very nice. I enjoy your blog very much and you have inspired me to start sewing again. Marci V from So.
Cal.
kelley
YOU”VE SO GOT YOUR MOJO BACK!
Love this! It is so Anthro right now!
Jen from Ottawa
I like the pattern and the fact that your shoulders are covered with this style (as I would need for bra straps) and I like the new neck line! Good job! You could wear it anywhere, too!
Kitty
You’re back & doing great things! Beautiful transformation – well done!
Wendy
Love it, and the way you accessorize!
yellowbobbypins
Yeah!!!! So HAPPY to have you back I the groove! And looking rather groovy!
Polly Knehr
Super cute! Missed you and so glad you are back.
tap752
I’m sooo glad you are back! I always look forward to seeing you in my e-mail and love seeing all the things you do. I completely understand that creativity can become stifled when it starts to feel like a job – have fun and keep them coming 🙂
Amanda
Big fan of your blog, and I’m really glad to see it seems you’ve found your inspiration again! After reading your last entry, it got me thinking about the root reason why people like to refashion. And I think it’s because most people find stores too expensive for clothes never quite fit right any way. Not to mention everyone has features about themselves they like or dislike more than others, and finding articles that suit those features can be difficult.
So, with that common frustration with clothing stores, I was going to suggest that the next time you’re feeling uninspired, maybe ask your readers to tell you the kind of features they want to up-play or downplay and you can show us how to do it, Refashionista style! Maybe just being asked the right question will pop a brilliant idea in your head!
Kate
Very cute, glad you got your mojo back!
Anne Fraser
Great post and the dress looks fabulous! I wouldn’t have even considered working with that – it would have been in the too hard basket, but impressive outcome.
laurenmaria84
Much better
Lauren
livinginaboxx
emma
Supercute!
Sheryl
I absolutely love your hand(re)made refashion!!!
Kathy Phillips
Looks like you’re back! Cute, cute, cute!
Sunny
I wish I could take refashioning lessons from you. Such a great dress!
Barb
Looks good and the colour suits you .
SuzyDQ
Love the knee skimming length!!
Kathleen
Your “before” picture always makes me laugh! Such a talented cutie!
Sonya
Nicely done! It looks like it was just waiting to be united with that belt 🙂
Candy
This is one of my favorites! I love the belt and sandal accessories. You rock girl
Beth Morrison
Very nice, glad to see you back on track.
Monique
Love this dress – love your fashion sense! You have no idea how much you have inspired me. Disabled and have been feeling rather useless. Im creating in a way I’d never thought possible. Thanks for sharing with us.
thisblogisnotforyou
Very nice! Love the belt together with the dress!
rawketstarling
OH yeah I’m really liking this one! Great job as always 🙂 Glad to see you’re finding your mojo again
Tina Beal
Definitely one of my favorite refashions, and the first that I’ve ever commented on. This dress looks like it could go for $80 in a store. I’m so inspired by what you do! Keep up the amazing work!
Terrill taylor
I’m sooooooooo delighted ur BACK!!!!!!!!!! It just MAKES MY WHOLE DAY HAPPIER!!!!! Yay! Thank u!!!!
Cindy
Love it! Super cute…super super cute!!!
Kelly B
Love the fabric and colors! You do such a great job, I’m glad you’re getting your mojo back! 🙂 Thanks for being real to all of us.
Stephie G.
This dress is so adorable. I absolutely love how the neckline looks on you. Great job!
Tara
this may be my fave. I like it!
Kristina
Very nicely done! It looks great on you.
Boriana
Love it!!! With the belt and sandals: perfection!!!!
Ms. Attitude
That’s awesome! Great job taking something that wasn’t quite right and making it into something cool.