Whoah!!!!! The blog is DIFFERENT now!!!! What do you think? I thought it was time for a little change. I hope you like it! Oh, and I have good news! My email subscribers that I thought were lost forever are now back! Whew! I’ll be making a few more tweaks here and there on this new design, so just bear with me for a bit if things start looking weird! 🙂
Now…on to Wannabe Wednesday!
I absolutely LOVE this dress by Soft Joie! It’s flowy, soft, and perfect for summer!
I could either buy it for $158 at Bloomingdale’s, OR I could just refashion one for $1!
Which option do you think I chose?
This is a suuuuper-soft chambray dress I thrifted for one mere dollar. It has smocking like the original, but the shape is all wrong and the neckline and armholes aren’t quite right either.
I began this refashion by trimming away some of the fabric from the neck and armholes. When doing this, make sure you leave enough fabric for the raw edges to be turned under twice. You need more than you might think!
Then, I pinned the raw edges under.
I used a zigzag stitch to sew all of this down. The reason for this is so the arm holes and neck won’t warp from being stretched out. The zigzag stitch provides a little give.
Alright! So the neckline was looking like the original, but the dress was still too big for me. I put it on my dress form and started taking it in!
This meant no more pockets. 🙁 But I’m actually okay with that, as these pockets pretty much ruined the lines of the dress and made me look super-hippy. 🙂
I moved on with my work, accepting the loss.
I ironed my new dress, and headed off to a fun dinner/movie night with friends! I have to say…I think my dress is almost identical to its far more expensive counterpart! 🙂
I styled it with these sweet platforms!
A lot you have commented on how you like the funny faces I make in my “before” shots. I draw so much inspiration from the people around me!
Cheers!
Original Cost: $158
Copycat Cost: $1
Savings: $157!
Very nice. Your refash looks better than the inspiration. I love it!
Great Job! I also like the chevrons on your page now! Question for you… how do you keep all your inspiration ideas? Do you journal them, or just know what you like? I am asking because I often see people wearing dresses out and about that I really like, but have no idea how to keep track of all the great ideas. Thanks for your help!!
Honestly I just try to remember things I like. Pinterest is a useful tool that I sadly underutilize. Maybe that would help you keep organized? 🙂
Well done. Great look. The dress form sure is a big help in refashioning for the best creative,see it …sew it…wear it… person I know. Thanks for all the great info,ideas and inspiration. Off to the best Thrift Store I know of in SF today.
Wish I knew how to see like that! I could so use a new wardrobe, but the price is obviously a deterrent! I guess it’s time yo learn, huh? Lol The dress looks fabulous on you and the shoes were perfect with it!
Oooh – love the new look of the blog. And that dress – SPOT on – almost identical! Totally loving the cats too – animals in blogs make me smile. Nicely done!
I love the new look of the blog! And awesome job on the refashion!
Love the new blog look, the refashioned look, and how much fun you always look like you’re having! Also, thanks for the little tid-bit about the zigzag seaming, I’m COMPLETELY inept at sewing but want to get into it more (after reading your blog, of course) and small bits of info like that make it seem less scary.
I love the remake of your blog. It’s really cute with all the bright colours. when I first saw it, I kinda checked to see if I was on the right site, but it was past nine at night by me and my eyes were feeling heavy, so I was just making sure:D
Wonderful job, and thanks for the details in sewing. I’ve done some refashioning myself (inspired by you!) and love (most) of the results. With so little invested, I don’t mind a few flops. I didn’t take ‘before’s, so I can’t send them. Keep up the great work!
The new layout is cooool!! I love the chevron print! Everything you do is amazing from your writing, to the awesome photos and and of course your refashions. Keep it up, I love reading your blog. It’s better than a book and even harder to stop reading sometimes.
the waist on your is much more flattering, think it needs a dye bath though to make it a richer blue. know how you love a dye bath
Lauren
livinginaboxx
bloglovin
Looks nice . You are so tiny you look good in all of your refashions .
The neckline change was a huge improvement! Well done!
Do you realize that white cat looks like it’s wearing a toupee, parted in the middle and slicked down on both sides?
OH! and I love your refashion, you nailed it!
BEAUTIFUL!
Well done it looks great! They’ve really poorly photshopped that designer image, they’ve streeeeetched her body til her spine is half again as long!! Silly people!!
Your sense of humor is hilarious and your refashion skills are unreal. I can’t believe how you can turn the NASTIEST of clothes into something wearable and actually attractive. Wow–you have a good eye for seeing the possibilities in the forsaken.
I love it! It is so cute, looks just like the Bloomie’s dress. You are rocking it!
Love the new look which presents a more focused theme. I’d like to see you on one of those daily talk shows. Here in Toronto, we have one called City Line and they feature designers, decorators, cooks etc as a regular part of their program. Can you imagine the inspiration you’d give the wanna be creators. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for your success in the refashioning industry.
Glad you like! I’d LOVE to see me on a daily talk show too! Instead, I get to see me in a daily office jerb! One day…One day!
Love the new look on here!!!! REALLY, REALLY love this refashion!!!
The blog looks so great! I really love your remake – such a great job!
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
I love how your version came out! It would be neat if you decided to dye it that really nice blue.
Love the new blog style (even though I’m a fairly new follower!). The dress is great, too!
You crack me up on wannabe Wednesday, because I never like the look you’re trying to copy, but I always love your finished product. here for instance, the model looks like she’s wearing pj’s, whereas you look like you’re wearing clothes. love it!
Love the new look of the blog and great refash! Nice!
Super cute! I am impressed. I now want a dress form ;D
This is a great copycat, spot on!
You make we want to learn how to sew..or at least buy a needle and thread…or bribe a friend that can sew..
I cannot believe how talented you are! You amaze me more everyday and are such an inspiration to me. I was compelled to comment today because I take offense about you saying the pockets made you more “hippy”. YOU ARE the TINIEST WOMAN I HAVE EVER SEEN! Nothing could make you look “hippy”. You are adorable and keep up the great work.
Loving the dress! The only issue I have (not just with yours, also with the original and maxi dresses in general) is the length. I feel like they’re just a little too short with the ankles hanging out. Whenever I try them on, they feel funny and I want to yank them down.
Also, loving the new blog style!
LOVE the redesign! Well done(:
Thank ya! I’m pretty happy with my n00bish design! 🙂
This is awesome, Jillian! I went back and read your 366 day refashion challenge and you’ve inspired me to try a few refashions of my own! You’ve given me a new hobby- I think I’d be much more boring with out your blog for inspiration!
Amanda @ Running In Heels
Oooooh! PLEASE share your refashions with me if you haven’t (heck…even if you have) already!
your version is great! I’d love to see what kind of dye job you give it!
Also, LOVE the new look of your blog. that other patterned background gave me a headache sometimes (I’m not hating, we all go through that damask-loving-phase in life)
Thanks! Yep! It was time for a change. I thought the old design was just too serious & stodgy!
Yep…you scored! Loved the funny face pics & your new look : )
The new style blog is much more you, loving the groovy print on the back drop! You always do a great job at refashioning, I have been so inspired to try it myself!
Thank you! I’m digging the chevron meself! As for the refashioning…yeah…you need to get on that! 🙂
The blog makeover is such a great improvement!
great job!!!!!
Wow, great refashion. I love the dress, it looks so comfy, but the real star here is those fab shoes! Love them! Whereabouts would someone find shoes that fabulous?
Ahhhh! I can’t remember where I got them! I DO remember they were crazy on sale!
Yours is so much better! I love the shoes
I think the waist-line is more flattering on your version (well, on you anyway). Kind of surprised it didn’t get a dye-bath though. Later, maybe? I love the color of blue of the original.
This would also be cute in a dye bath. I’m not a huge fan of khaki green
OMG! I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 37 years, together 40, but I think I am in love with you! J/K~! Love your blog!
ReFashionista: Tearing Families Apart. 🙂
loved the new look of your blog!!!
Thank you! It’s still being tweaked, but I think it’s much more fun than the old one! 🙂
Do you think it would be possible to dye it that rich blue color?
I think so. Might have to give it a go!
Very nice copycat! I like the color of your refashion a lot more. I find blue harder to match stuff with.
Nice job!
Thank ya!