I have a secret. For months, I’ve been stocking up on any Christmas-y clothing I’ve found for $1 while thrifting.
Tacky Christmas sweaters, shirts, vests, and the dress below have all been fair game in this side quest of mine.

I was originally planning on reselling these to Ugly Christmas Sweater Partiers at a holiday market. Then the pandemic hit, which effectively killed that scheme.
Oh well! I suppose that just means I’m going to have to subject you all to a few holiday refashions!
Remember this fabulous Ugly Christmas Sweater Gown I made that one time?
When I put this dress on, I was amazed at just how very soft and comfortable it was. It’s made of a nice sweatshirt-type fabric.
The label gave me a chuckle, as in my ad agency days I used to do search engine marketing for this brand.

For a moment I was tempted to just curl up on the couch and take a nap, enveloped in the warm folds of my frumpy Christmas dress.
But only for a moment.
After some thought, I decided I wanted to refashion this dress into a hooded minidress.
The original neckline for this dress felt a little stifling, so I cut it right above where the ribbing was sewn in to widen it a bit and left the edge raw.

I cut off some of the fabric from the bottom.

I was very careful of exactly how much fabric I cut. I needed to make sure I’d have enough fabric to make a hood, but leave the dress with enough length to still be worn as a dress after I took the sides in a little.
I put my dress on my dress form inside-out and pinned the sides.

I still wanted it to be loose and cozy, so I didn’t take it in very much.
You can see how I left the sleeves pretty blousy too.

After both sides were evenly pinned, I sewed them down.

After taking my dress in, I tried it on again to check the length and decided to trim off just a bit more.

I didn’t care for those buttons on the skirt of the dress, so I picked them off with my seam ripper.

Don’t worry! I didn’t toss them out. They’re now chilling in my button stash until it’s time to use them on something else!

Since the buttons were the only things holding the front of the dress together, I pinned it back together and sewed it down.

I folded the bottom hem under once and pinned it.

Then, I sewed my new hem down.

I also took a moment to take the sleeve cuffs in a little bit to enhance the slightly blousy look I was going for.

Now for the hood!
I grabbed a hoodie out of my closet that I liked the fit of, laid it over my bottom scrap, and traced it in chalk.

You can see I drew my chalk line slightly outside of my template. That’s my seam allowance.
You can also see how I’m taking advantage of that bottom hem by making it the hem of the front of my hood to save myself a step.

I cut out the two pieces of my future hood (since the scrap fabric is doubled over).

Then, I pinned them together, front sides facing each other.

I stitched the two pieces together.

Then, I turned my dress inside-out and attached the hood to the neck, centering it from the back.

I sewed my new hood in.

Now I have a cozy new hoodie dress that’s just perfect for a relaxing dinner with Mr. Refashionista!

This was my first night out of the house since my most recent chemo treatment, so I styled my new dress with comfy Uggs. Don’t judge me.
Check out my DIY hood!


And yes…that’s a new pixie wig!

I think my new hood and the shorter length really updates this dress!


I took my elfin ensemble out for a rooftop dinner with Mr. Refashionista!



Cheers!

How to Add a Hood to Almost Anything

I just added a hood to a dress and it was really easy! Learn how to add a hood to just about anything (sweatshirts, jackets, dresses, and more) in this upcycle tutorial by the Refashionista.
Materials
- 1 Garment in need of a hood
- Enough fabric to make hood (a yard or so) Note: This can be harvested from the garment itself if you have enough fabric!
- A hoodie from your closet (to use as a template)
Tools
- Fabric Scissors
- Straight Pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Tailors Chalk
Instructions
- Find a hoodie in your closet that you like the fit of.
- Fold your fabric piece in two, and lay the hood over it.
- Outline it in chalk, making sure to leave room for a seam allowance, as well as room to add a hem to the front of your hood (unless you can work an existing bottom hem into the front of your new hood)
- Cut the two pieces of your hood out of your fabric.
- Pin the two sides of your fabric together, front sides facing each other.
- Sew the two pieces of fabric together.
- IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO USE AN EXISTING HEM AS THE FRONT OF YOUR HOOD, pin and sew a hem on the front of your hood to conceal the raw edge.
- Turn your garment inside-out and pin the hood to the neck, centering it in the back.
- Sew the hood onto your garment.
This hair style is my absolute favorite on you. You were born to be a blond!
Mr Refashionista is adorable. You two are a great team
you two are the cutest!
I’ve always wanted to know how to add a hood. Your refashion is fabulous! Thank you
Now you know! I see a closet of hooded dresses in your future! 😉
Interestingly enough, I originally found you and started following your blog after your Ugly Christmas Sweater Ballgown was in the paper 🙂 I LOVE the hood… so many great ideas… so little time!
Adding a hood was an amazing idea! Definitely inspires me to take another look in my closet… And you look fantastic as a blonde! Seems like you can pull off any style and color! 🙂
LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!
Love the blonde wig on you! You guys are so lovely together x
Love this restyle… and am very grateful for the how-to… I’ve printed it out for future use. You are really rocking that blonde and the ‘new’ dress! Peace!
Love the refashion and the blonde on you ! Still prayin’, just sayin’…
You make a fantastic blonde elf! Will you come sit on my shelf?
What a great refashion. I really didn’t think you would pull it off. You did and beautifully.
The refashion and your new pixie wig are both flipping adorable! Plus…”no flashing of hoohahs” Lol! 😀
Adorable! Both the outfit and the new blond pixie do!
Adorable! Very nice job.
Love this one!!
What’s the name and personality of your new wig?! Can’t wait to hear about it!!
Be blessed 🙂
You seem to be doing well and I’m so glad. Believe that this is not your time to go. Draw on your faith and the support of friends and family and of course Mr. Refasionista. Your blog has inspired me to sew more. Rock on and have a Merry Christmas!
❤️
Love this refashion so much! I need that hoodie!
Another of my favorites! Very cool winter look! Praying for you Jillian!
Adorable couple you two are! Thanks for this idea – I love it and I’m going to use it! (:
The hooded dress is adorable! And you look so vibrant and Christmasy! Also – I love the instruction sheet at the end – it’s so clear and concise. May your Holidays be bright and safe!
I love it!!! Thanks!!
Beautiful, you look amazing, be safe.
This is so adorable. I love the refashion, the new wig and everything you paired!!! You look great!
Your little photo captions crack me up. And I can see how much your hubby loves you.
So cute!
Adorable, just adorable. And, the hoodie dress is too.
Darling! Super darling!
You are the cutest thing ever ever ever!
Just magic! So cozy and such a celebratory statement all in one adorable outfit. Cheers to both of you lovely people! Thank you for bringing such joy into my day.
Thanks so much for this refashion. I’m gonna make many hooded things for my granddaughter. You’re the best, ive seen hundreds of your re-dos and you so inspire me. Best wishes with your treatment and cure HUGS and Merry Christmas ! ! !
aka, The Blair Stitch Project!! This is one of my favorites!! Maybe it’s the hoodie. Would you agree that the fabric (especially cotton) from years/decades ago is so much more friendly to work with than the cheaper fabrics of today’s garments? This dress looks so soft and comfy, and I love it with the red tights and boots!
You look gorgeous. Love you as a blond!
This is one of my favorite refashions now!! It is totally amazing♡ Also you look fabulous in that blonde tone. All the good vibes and prayers your way for your last session. You got this!
Cute refashion, major hugs and props to you for continuing to inspire us on many levels. Never thought about adding a hood to a garment, I like it! Praying for you!
Hugs and Merry Christmas
You are beautiful, talented and brave! God Bless you! Sending hugs and positive thoughts! <3
That’s awesome! I love it. And I’m praying your last chemo treatment is a breeze and you are free and clear. Take care. Thank you for keeping on keeping on.
Love the blonde on you and that refashion is a winner. Looks so cute on you. But then, everything does.
Sending love and good wishes your way
Love you as a blonde and a pixie cut!!!
omg! so, so cute! plus, i went back to look at the evening gown you made from all those ugly Christmas sweaters. genius!
Cuteness Overload! I love this clever update.
Oh my gosh! Love this refash and the new wig SO much!!
You are a warrior. And at the same time, just darling. Cheers to “both” of you.
Adorable and festive Refashion! Love it!!!
Fabulous! Thank you for sharing both your fun creativity and all the hard stuff, too! Hugs from Oakland, Calif!
You are adorable in this outfit! The red tights and pixie wig are totally perfect! Très Christmassy
I love the refashion, and you look absolutely adorable! The wig is cute! Thank you so much for continuing to instruct, entertain, and share your life with us. I hope and pray that you are doing well!
Love the dress! Love the hood! Love the new blonde pixie wig! Vavavavoom!
You are absolutely the cutest! I love the hooded dress, the blonde wig and your smile! Stay strong!!!
You are awesome, an icon … (blond and not blond!) …. in so many ways; stay happy, healthy and optimistic. We are your support chorus and cheerleader section. Keep calm and keep sewing and let us know how you and yours are doing. Virtual hugs from Canada. Ingrid.
GREAT JOB! YES, MR. REFASHIONISTA IS A KEEPER!
Over the top CUTE!!! The COLOR!!!!, the HOOD, the HUBS……even THE WIG! You’ve outdone yourself here…one of your best ever! Best Wishes on getting close to completing your treatments Jillian!
Loved the hood !! Blonde persona ? looking good!!
SOOOO much cuter now!! I love what you did!! That blonde wig is adorable too! So glad you are feeling well enough to sew cozy hooded dresses and enjoy rooftop dinners. Yay!!!!
Really cute! My next thrifting trip is to look for a dress like that. Love the wig!!
This is absolutely the cutest refashion ever! I love hoods, but not real crazy about the ones I currently have (sweatshirt jackets, primarily) as they’re a bit pointy. Not the look I’d be going for. Yours is beautiful — from any angle. Any advice for hood-making without having a sort-of-perfect hood to draft from? Could I use one I have and maybe curve it a bit, do you think? Love the pics of you and Mr. R. Love and prayers, Beth
Amazing re-fashion again!!
Love the blonde! And I appreciate the hoodie how-to. I might have to try this on some of my next refashions!!
You are really beautiful ! Lots of loves ! FRom Paris
Super cute. Agree with a few others that it may be my favorite refashion. And you look great in that wig
Once again you’ve managed to give new life to something less than stunning and make it a show stopper! (My mom used to order from Blair in the 80s!) Love the hoodie too!
I can’t believe you made that dress cute!!
Great job!
Cutest refashion ever! I’d also like to know where you got that wig. I’ll be going thru chemo the rest of my life….and I’d love to find that wig…only in gray.
Thank you so much Connie! I’m so sorry to hear you have to go through chemo.
The name of this wig is is “Risk” by Ellen Wille. You can order it from Wigs.com OR Wigoutlet.com (Wig Outlet is cheaper). I really like her and she comes in lots of colors!
You are so cute – dress, new wig, and Uggs.
You look so cute in that outfit and I think the UGGs are just fine! ♥️
Cute! You look like an elf.
Genius! Love the look, and that view where you dined is gorgeous.
This might be my favorite refashion! I am still laughing at your rejected buttons having “gone to the farm to run free” Every deceased childhood pet seemed to all go to that same farm. Maybe they’ll run into your buttons.
My gosh, girl! You look great as a blonde! The outfit is wonderful
Omg. I can’t believe you turned that dress into something this cute! And your new pixie wig is adorable! Pixie looks great on you <3
Im loving the refashion and your fabulous blonde hair xx