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One Dress, Three Ways: No-Sew One Sleeve Dress Refashion

One Dress, Three Ways II: No-Sew Dress to High Low Top Refashion
Refashioning a (Badly) Handmade Dress

When I found this dress for $1 at the thrift store, I just couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with it. There were so many possibilities!

Refashionista No-Sew One Sleeve Dress Refashion Before
Tabula Rasa!

That’s why it’s time for another round of…

My first refashion for this boring frock is a no-sew, and it’s super easy!

First, I took one of my arms out of its sleeve and pulled it through the neck hole, like so:

Refashionista with one arm sticking out of neck hole of dress
Whatever shall I do with you, sleeve?

Next, I grabbed a neat belt buckle cover thing I thrifted ages ago and slipped the sleeve through.

If you don’t have one of these, don’t fret! Your frock will look just fine without it, but I was feeling a bit fancy. 🙂

close up of decorative gold buckle decoration
Lovely, isn’t it?
back view of buckle decoration
View from the back!

I safety pinned the sleeve to the side seam of the dress, tucking the pin on the inside, then flopping the sleeve over itself to hide all evidence of pinnage…

refashionista pinning sleeve to side of dress
…like this!
close up of safety pin
See?

My new dress is just the thing for celebratory dinner with my fella.  🙂

No-Sew One Sleeve Dress Refashion after
Ooh la la!
No-Sew One Sleeve Dress Refashion after
Fashion Blogger Pose #57

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Motor Supply Company Bistro where a very happy toast was made!

Jillian and Mark
Don’t we look pretty?

…and a celebratory peanut butter pie was consumed…

Mark eating peanut butter dessert
Nom!
Jillian eating peanut butter dessert
A Woman Possessed

But, what are we celebrating?!?!  Why am I being so very mysterious????

Care to wager a guess?

I can’t wait to share my extremely exciting news with you guys…tomorrow.  😉

I’ll also be sharing the 2nd installment of of this Three-Way refash, so stay tuned!  🙂

Cheers!

No-Sew One Sleeve Dress Refashion Before and After
One Dress, Three Ways II: No-Sew Dress to High Low Top Refashion
Refashioning a (Badly) Handmade Dress

56 thoughts on “One Dress, Three Ways: No-Sew One Sleeve Dress Refashion”

  1. I’m finally catching up on your posts! My question is a tiny bit off topic….but, what kind of jeans are you wearing/do you prefer? I’m “vertically challenged” at 5 feet 2 inches, and I have a short waist. I like skinny or strait jeans but the low rise is often too low and mid rise makes me look like Im wearing granny panties!! Do you have any recommendations?

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  2. First off, thanks so *very* much for your mission and for your really fun and informative blog. Second, I’d be very curious to see how the back of your dress looked after this no-sew refashion. Thanks again!

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  3. I am going to guess that you have some sort of publishing deal like a book, TV show, or magazine spot. Can’t wait to find out!

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  4. You’re so lucky that your thrift store has such reasonable prices! My local store has pretty set prices, like $3.49 for a very worn t-shirt. Such a bummer. I’m still trying to work out when their “special” days are.

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  5. Have you been offered a tv show? Have you won an award for teaching people another way to go green?You already told us that you are buying a home. This surprise I assume is something unexpected.

    I really like this refashion. It was so genious because it is so simple. It looks great. I want something fashionable that I would wear proudly. I have seen other blogs that are trying to refashion clothes but they are so badly done they look like bag ladies. That is why I like what you do. I would buy the clothes you are making. I can make these myself and save the planet at the same time. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Honey

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  6. this is the cutest do-over i think i have seen so far, keep it up, btw i think he asked you a certain question, why do we not see a ring??? duh cause your pics were made before he presented it to you!!!

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  7. The dress looks fabulous ! Can’t wait to hear your news tomorrow – it will be the first thing I look at when I go online in the morning : )

    Reply
  8. Thanks to the miracle that is Pinterest, I stumbled across your fabulous blog yesterday. Thanks to the 40 degree heat that is Brisbane in summer, I’ve spent the last 2 days holed up in air conditioning reading 4 years of inspiration. Loving it!

    Reply
  9. Hmmm…..I don’t see a ring, so I’m guessing….a new house. No, no, wait a minute…..a new business venture. No, no……you’re going an a world-wide tour making over clothes from thrift shops everywhere. YES!! That’s it! (By the way, I vote that you leave your stunning makeover as-is. It’s perfect for you!)

    Reply
  10. I guess that you find a house and you signed the papers !
    What ever it’s a good new and I guessed when you told us about a new fella, I was thinking about pecha kucha’s tall guy.
    The most principal is that you find hapiness : refashioned, find a place and find a good guy. It’s a good way to begin 2015.

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  11. Waiting around has never been one of my favourite games!! The suspense kills me!!
    So from an old South African duck, please don’t delay – hurry up with the news now! 🙂

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  12. You look fabulous! It actually looks like it was made that way. If I did it it would of looked like the sleeve of my dress was hanging down! You rock! And you have my curiosity going to find out your news!

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  13. You’re buying a house, you’re getting married, no baby because all that alcohol would be a no-no, but whatever it is I’m sure you will be very happy. Love that sleeve/buckle idea.

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  14. Wow so creative…although it isn’t a dress I would wear…it looks great on you! My guess is either you are engaged or you have signed a book deal….can’t wait to find out!

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  15. Just lovely! Looks like a very expensive dress. Would you show a close–up of the earrings, please? Your fella is adorable, btw.

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  16. Can I just say…you are the reason I rarely buy new clothes. We have a local recycle/reuse center that has a lovely selection of clothes. When I say lovely I mean some are name brand, some still have tags, and it’s all free! Some snips and stitches here and there, waalaa! Thank you for opening my eyes to the possibilities out there!

    Reply

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