Subscribe to updates via email!

Snap Front Duster to Peachy Keen Day Dress Refashion

DIY Halter Top from Button-Up Shirt
Easy No-Sew Halter Top Refashion

That’s right. I’m bringing back some seriously old slang for today’s refashion (that totally makes sense if you look at the lil preview pic of the “after” above). It’s gonna be the bee’s knees ya’ll!

When I found this dress on the $1 rack at the thrift store, I thought its lightweight fabric would be perfect for summer!

refashionista Snap Front Duster to Peachy Keen Day Dress Refashion before
They still make these btw.

This post contains affiliate links which won’t cost you anything extra, but may provide me with a small commission.

This is one of those garments that’s just as comfortable as it is unflattering. And I don’t feel like that pale yellow is doing me any favors whatsoever.

Luckily, I had these two bottles of dye on hand!

tangerine and fuchsia dye
Their powers combined will give me the peachy hue I so desperately seek!

The color mixology for this combo is very simple. Orange + Pink = Peach. I don’t have many peach-hued dresses, so I thought this would be a nice addition to my wardrobe.

To get this refashion started, I made a dye bath (following the instructions on the bottle) and submerged my dress inside.

dress in dye bath
It appears to be taking the dye quite nicely!

After about 40 minutes (stirring occasionally), I rinsed my dress in my washing machine then dried it.

Since my dress was 55% cotton, it took the dye fairly well.

5 more minutes clothing label
This may be my favorite clothing brand name ever.

It’s worth noting that I ignored this label’s instructions for the dyeing part (I used hot water), and I also ironed my hems and seams when I was done (on the polyester setting).

Spoiler alert: It all turned out fine. I know. I’m such a rebel.

Now that my dress was dyed, I got to work removing those sleeves with my seam ripper.

removing sleeves with seam ripper
Rrrrrip!

I planned on wearing this dress to an outdoor after-work event, so I needed all the a/c I could get!

I was not sad to see those sleeves go.

removed sleeves from dress
Byeee!

Of course, this left the armholes of my dress a raw-edged gaping mess, so I clipped them down (pinning them would have worked just fine too)!

clipped armholes of dress
Just fold under & clip!

Then, I sewed them down on my new machine!

sewing armhole of dress
Sew Pretty!

I’ve already announced this on my Instagram, but I was recently chosen to be one of 6 makers for the EverSewn 2021-2022 Maker Team!

Be on the lookout for monthly themed projects from me and the five other fabulous makers who were chosen to be a part of this fun group!

Eversewn Sparrow QE
Ain’t she a beaut?

The machine you see here is the EverSewn Sparrow QE, which I’ve gotta tell ya is a joy to sew with. I plan on writing a comprehensive review in the coming weeks.

Okay…back to the refashion!

After my armholes were secure, I put my dress inside-out on my dress form and pinned the sides.

pinned sides of dress on dress form
It just needs a little tweaking!

Then, I sewed each side down.

sewing side of dress
It even has that “new sewing machine” smell!

Then, I cut off the excess fabric from the sides using my pinking shears.

cutting side off dress
Don’t get mad about the pocket loss, okay?

Okay…I know some of you are freaking out about me lopping off those side pockets, but hear me out! I actually didn’t think they worked for the overall shape of the dress.

Yes, I could have reattached them (Here’s how to add pockets to a dress btw), but I worried they’d make the sides too hippy.

Now all I needed to do was address the length!

I tried my dress on and safety-pinned it where I wanted it to fall (plus seam allowance!). Then I chopped!

Cutting off bottom of dress
Chop!

Can I just say how cute my new safety pins are? They came in this awesome sewing notions starter kit that the lovely folks at EverSewn kindly gifted me.

heart shaped safety pins
I heart them!

When I tried my dress on to double-check the length, I noticed the bottom of the front placket kept gaping at crotch-level which was…well…not exactly ideal.

I pinned the bottom of the front placket down…

pinned front placket
Like this!

Then, I stitched it down as well. No more gapes!

sewing front placket of dress
My dignity is preserved…but for how long???

I folded my bottom hem under twice and pinned it in place.

pinning bottom hem of dress
A hem is born!

Then, I sewed it down.

sewing hem of dress
Final Whirrrrr!

Look at that once-dreary duster now!

refashionista Snap Front Duster to Peachy Keen Day Dress Refashion after
Just peachy!

I styled my new dress with a vintage headscarf, brooch and belt, along with a pair of Jack Rogers sandals.

Snap Front Duster to Peachy Keen Day Dress Refashion selfie
I still don’t know what to do with my curly hair so…scarves to the rescue!
refashionista Snap Front Duster to Peachy Keen Day Dress Refashion after outside
Plus sunnies and a $3 yard sale straw handbag!

My new frock enjoyed a warm and sunny early evening of outdoor music, food, and drinks with friends!

Jillian and Karen
Hi Karen!
hampton preston mansion grounds
Not the worst venue, I say!
Jillian and Brian
Isn’t my date cute?

I kept cool and comfortable in my bright peach dress! And I really like how the top yoke looked when I was done!

Snap Front Duster to Peachy Keen Day Dress Refashion after 2
Did I overdo it on the accessories? I never know.

Cheers!

refashionista Snap Front Duster to Peachy Keen Day Dress Refashion before and after
DIY Halter Top from Button-Up Shirt
Easy No-Sew Halter Top Refashion