As most of you know, earlier this month I did a fashion show for SHE Greenville! I somehow managed to talk/coerce several of my friends into letting me refashion a dress for them, and model it at the big SHE event!
One of these lovely ladies is Heather.
When I found this $1 house dress, I immediately thought, “MAXI DRESS!” But, as soon as the tall and limbsome Heather put it on, I realized there was no way it would be long enough…Or would it? 🙂
I used the leftover bit of a thrifted curtain from my corset refash to add length & interest to the bottom, and the leftover elastic from a fitted sheet I used to make a toga a while back to make the top strapless. The sleeves I removed from the top were stitched into a sash for the waist, so this was an Almost No Waste refashion! 🙂
I didn’t take any “during” shots, as I was working furiously to get everything done for this fashion show, but if you have any questions on how I did this, please don’t hesitate to ask, and I’ll explain it to you. 🙂
Cheers!
Pardon me, I’ve been reading through all your old posts, so this comment is rather late! This dress is lovely and the idea of adding in lace to give more length is wonderful, but it doesn’t seem quite cohesive enough. I think an addition of a strip of the original orange fabric around the bottom of the lace section would tie the lace in and make the design look more intentional, rather than it looking like an add-on! Just a suggestion if you ever decide to refash a dress like this again.
Right on the mark, the lace pattern goes perfectly with the design in the dress. I love orange, it gives everyone a bright and fresh look. So many possibilities by just using a lace curtain panel.
I have a question! It looks like there are pleats in the front? (please forgive if that’s not the right term!), did you cut the dress in strips and then sew the seams together? I LOVE this piece. 🙂
I have an answer! Nope. 🙂 It just got a pleated look from being cinched at the waist. I kind of wish I had saved this frock for myself! 🙂
Thanks for replying! I wish you had saved that dress too 🙂 or I had it and could fit it lol
It looks like I’m the only one who really doesn’t get this refashion. I love all the others. Just differences in taste I guess 🙂
Nice job, but would look better without the lace on the bottom. Otherwise it’s pretty and fits her nicely.
This is perfect…the lace is beautiful, it looks ‘on purpose’ and flows together so well. Great job! Your friend’s before and after transformation was great too! Question…did you make a tube with the same width at top and bottom, or was it tapered and more A-line?
This might be my favorite refashion, it’s adorable!
great idea! Funnily I was just thinking about something similar yesterday. I have a wayyy too short skirt I wanted to lengthen with a bit of chiffon/black lace. After seeing this, I really need to try this now 🙂
I LOVE this dress! You are amazing!
Is there a video of the fashion show available?
You know, every time I see one of the “before” dresses, I think “Eeh. Why?” As in, why would you buy it! And then you refashion it, and it’s great! You have an incredible talent! Thank you for all of the hard work you do!
Thanks so much! There’s always something good to be found in even the saddest of frocks! 🙂
That looks fab! Nice work!
What a difference! And I love the words “almost no-waste refashion” so much 🙂
Wow! I am not a fan of maxi dresses because they seem to ‘drag down’ so many people wearing them …maybe it’s the visual weight of all that fabric…mmm…could be, because the lace bottom (which I would never have thought of 😉 adds the needed length while keeping everything light and airy. Great job! You have been really on a roll of late – can’t wait to see what you create next!
Thanks! Right now I’m in Austin, TX…having a blast thrifting/refashioning my way around this fun city. Can’t wait to share!
LOVE IT
I normally really hate orange, but this really looks amazing! And thrifted elastic too! Way to go jilli xx
Wow. I am really loving maxi dresses with our heat wave. That was a very clever addition!
This is probably my favorite refashion I have seen of yours!! You should make another one for yourself! I am seriously in love with this dress
Now THAT is awesome! I never would have thought to add the lace bit to the bottom. Not a big fan of the print in the before, but the lace makes it the right side of vintage. And she looks so much happier in the after. 🙂
Cara
http://www.knockoffcrafts.wordpress.com
Great refashion. Your friends looks lovely. But what I love most is your before photos. You or your friends put on these sheepish faces and then in the after shot your hair, makeup and expressions are all that and then some for style. Love it!
Wow!
i LOVE it!!