
A New Years’ Eve 1970s Formal Dress Refashion
Happy New Year, Everybody!
Around Christmastime, a friend of mine got a text message from his boss. He said he had boxes of vintage women’s clothing and accessories that he didn’t want anymore and wondered if his Refashionista friend would like to take a look at them.
I did. Oh yes. I did.
I ended up scoring some AMAZING vintage formalwear, kimonos, bell bottoms, and accessories!
I was particularly excited about this ’70s formal dress.
That neckline tho! Amirite? WOWZA!
Other than that, this dress was a little too big, and I wasn’t digging that huge long skirt either.
I know some of you are thinking, “Don’t you DARE remove any of that length!”
Sorry kids.
While this frock photographs really well, yards and yards of scratchy polyester don’t look quite so glamorous in person.
I liked the tag though.
I laid the dress out on my living room floor.
It had a most impressive wingspan.
I then laid one of my favorite and best-fitting little black dress on top of it.
You can see where I’ve outlined the smaller dress in chalk.
I cut along the chalked line, and that’s where the finicky bit began.
I wanted this dress to fit absolutely PERFECTLY, so I actually ended up pinning this onto myself.
It required twisting into positions my yoga instructor would be very proud of.
This took a LONG time to get right.
The fabric was stretchy and tough to get to align correctly on each side. But after a good bit of tweaking, I felt it was ready to go under the needle.
This is all wrong, but it worked out. 🙂 Since my pins were facing the wrong way after I used myself as a dress form, I rolled the other side up and put it to the side. Luckily my machine is made to work for quilting, so it has a big enough space to handle my slackness.
Once each side was taken in, I needed to even out my bottom hem.
Since the back half of me is larger than the front half of me, it went askew in the fitting process. No worries!
And here’s the end result!
I’m quite happy with this one!
But wait…there’s more!
Is anyone else thinking what I’m thinking?
But wait! As it was slightly chilly, I covered up in another one of my sweet finds from my friend’s boss…
I had a blast ringing in the new year with my best pals.
Cheers!


196 Comments
puggo
Wow! No words. Just wow. I’m looking forward to 2016 with you.
Catherine
I’m so glad you are back! I haven’t checked since before Christmas and had almost given up on you, when I checked today, I have eleven posts to check out! I love how this dress turned out. It is so classy.
http://buildinglifelongreaders.blogspot.com
Kathy C.
You. Look. Stunning! Great refashion on such a voluminous dress!! Can’t believe it’s the same one.
Maddie
This is probably one of my favorite refashions you’ve done so far! I love it!
Kim
The dress is STUNNING! I’ve missed seeing new refashions. So glad to see you back and very MUCH looking forward to a post-a-day.
The Reader's Tales - A Swiss lifestyle
Hello! I’ve just found your blog and I love it.
I’m looking forward to reading about your new adventures in 2016. Have a great New Year.
Lots of love!
Annie
Gorgeous dress redo…you wear it well! I’m behind on my reading and just learned there will be a new post every day….yay! I knew 2016 was going to be great and this just proves me right. I love your work!
smartgurl08
Stunning!
Veronica
Happy New Year, Jillian! Another great refashion. Looking forward to your daily refashions!
Jeanne
This dress is stunning, and I’m looking forward to your daily posts!
Rae
LOVE this dress. So pretty, and your fitting is spot on. The original was beautiful (though ill-fitting) to begin with but the after is one of my favorites
Jess
Over-the-top fabulousness! This dress oozes New Years Eve glam perfectly, front & back. Brava, chica!
Chica Andaluza
Stunning and good luck with the challenge!
Cassie
I think this is one of my favorites, and I am so glad to see you will be posting more. I love this blog!
Glisette
Great!!! can’t wait.
Teresa B
OMG! I love this dress. You hit the jackpot with this batch of vintage clothing. Nice work!
Hilde
I absolutely adore this refasion!!!
And I look forward to reading a lot of you this year (and turn it into action as well :-))
Happy 2016!
lilliya
Thank you for your labour!!!!.You inspire me!!!
Karen G.
The dress is fantastic…can’t wait to see what you do next…
Martha
Can’t wait for all your posts in 2016!!
Cheryl Kochel-Binegar
awesomeness!!!!
Mary Jane
When discussing the discrepancy between your front and rear hem. I thought surely you must use a floor standing chalk hem marker?
ReFashionista
Nope! 😉
Norma
Looking forward to 2016 and all your new pieces.
Sarah
I have hoping you would post soon, and it was like Christmas to hear that we will get 366 posts to enjoy. I’m so happy to have found your blog, have your humor and inspiration. Yes, my machine goes “whirrr” too. Lol. Thanks, Jillian!!
Rebecca Pitt, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I’m giddy from the idea of getting to “visit” with you every day of 2016. Woo hoo!
jenny_o
Awesome job on the dress and I am SO looking forward to 366 posts from you – sounds like a great variety – EXCITING!!!
Terri
Beautiful refashion!
Gladys Szell
Love it and love the back. It really adds beauty to it! You look great wearing it!
Anna
YAYYYYYY!!!!!
April
YAY!!!!
judy ross
Wow! Even the back is beautiful!
Karen Doyle
I think you need to rename your Challenge to ‘Super Challenge’ !! I’m excited to join you on this journey. L O V E what you did with this one front and back. Great Job !!
Louise
Fabulous! Someone wants to give me a box of vintage clothes? um, let me think about it YES! Looking forward to all the fashions, refashions, tidbits and giggles in 2016.
shiregirl2001
Yay! Beautiful refashion. I am so looking forward to daily posts from you in 2016!
AndreaB
Thank you are amazing, I’ve just found your blog and I can’t wait for your next post
Tahara
Absolutely perfect!! Stunning!!
Laura
I LOVE this blog and I am SO excited to see what you have for us in 2016. You are an inspiration and you are making this clumsy woman want to learn to sew. Thanks for the inspiration, tips, entertainment and expanding my horizons. Happy New Year!
designsbyheidi
Love this refashion! And yes, [email protected]! And you look gorgeous in it. Every DAY you will post??? Wow, I will be looking forward to them.
nenamatahari
That is a great refashion!
Mary Hodges
Looking forward to your daily emails. Love love love the Fashion Dog!
Bay
Ma-gni-fi-que ! Très belle réalisation et bonne année.
Tami Von Zalez
You look mahvelous (done in my best Billy Crystal voice).
Brave woman with your daily posts! You might consider signing up for the AtoZ Challenge on the 25th of this month – it is a nearly every day blog challenge beginning April 1st. I would love to see another fashionista/seamstress participating.
I’ll be following your 2016 journey …
http://www.thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
iastargal
This one is the best yet I’ve seen.. I’ve been following since 2011 Feb.
Tamara
Hot stuff!
Janet Lynn
Excited to see your new creations in 2016!
maureen
Utterly fabulous! Jillian is back! Hurray!
Andrea H.
This re-do is especially beautiful. As always, I admire your vision and talents. Thanks for sharing! Wishing you a delightful new year.
jennifer
Wowza! Love what you did! Can’t wait to see what else was in that box and what you’ll do with it!
Diane Rennick
Happy New Year, to you too! My challenge is to refashion a Vintage Coat! Wish me luck! I will send a picture of the finished project!
PATTY
Yes Yes Yes. That’s the best refashion you made so far. Can’t wait to see more from you because you’re great inspiration for me.
Sue
The new year’s dress was positively stunning. Looking forward to following you in 2016.
merja
Happy new year and hello from Finland 🙂
Natalie
Awesome dress refashion. Look forward to your blog a day again and hope I can take part in some of your challenges.
rimazimchick
Happy New Year, looking forward to the daily posts.x
Jami
Stunning!
Poppy alla Norma
Beautiful dress, you did such a great job! I admit I was hoping you’d keep the length, but it looks even better on you short.
I love this blog, I can’t wait to read a post every day! Here’s to a great 2016 full of refashions!
Poppy | http://poppyallanorma.com
Joansy
You are my idol!
Ruthie
What is “LBD”?
Lala
Ha! I’m wondering that too.
Lala
It actually just hit me, maybe it stands for little black dress?
Belinda
Hâte de voir toutes ces transformations super sympas :-), belle nouvelle année également
Carole
A great refashion!! Looking forward to your daily posts!! Maybe a book in your future??
Mercedes
Great, great, great !!! For the challenge. Very beautiful refashion this dress…
NIKKI and NO´
Yippeeeee yay! I love the dress and am super happy that I will be able to see your fantastic work every day of the year. My nine year old daughter and I absolutely L O V E your blog! You are amazing and make our day that bit brighter. Thanks!
Irene van Koningsbruggen-Keizer
OMG I LIKE THE THINGS YOU MAKE BUTH…….. I LIKE YOU TO….YOUR SO FUNNY.
Irena
Wow! Really like this refashion! The end result dress is stunning!
TaraLee
Best Refashion EVAH!!!!! Can’t wait to see more!
Pam D
Another winner. Excited about your new platform for everyday posting and what you have in mind.
Aislyn
Wooo hooo!!! You’re back in full fashionista force for 2016, awesome! I’m excited to be inspired by your creations (and candid posts).
lorie
You should have a tv show or do YouTube videos.
hazelshappenings
Happy New Year! I love the new dress, look forward to sharing 2016 with you.
Rouva Tiainen
Hi, I just love that makeover!! Love your blog as well. Greetings from Finland =)
Sarah
Oh yeah! Way to ring in the new year! That is Beautiful! And much more wearable length.
Michele
Wowsa!!!! This is fabulicious!!!!!!
Ree Cee
Gurrrrrrl – you are a bad ass bitch! I can’t wait to read EVERY.SINGLE.POST.
YAY for us refashionistafans!
Kenley
You just made my leap year! Love the dress and can’t wait to check back tomorrow!
Melwyk
So excited to read this! I think I just scared my husband by squealing when I saw this post 😉 What a find to kick off an exciting challenge year. Look forward to seeing all your posts.
Anne Whitney
If I didn’t see it I wouldn’t believe it. terrific refashion.
Lisa Kind
Best refash ever! It will be great to see you everyday!
Kerry Franciscovich
YAY!!!! Love your refashions, your wit and your obvious love of life and friends.
BTW…that black dressing is stunning…
Glory Lennon
Holy moly, that’s awesome!
Deb
Fantabulous!
Michelle Swetland
Yes! Can’t wait! And Happy New Year!
GirlFriday
LOVE this! So looking forward to seeing 366 posts! Hoping you can inspire me to start some refashions of my own!
TEMA
Nice job! Love the ‘new’ dress…! Looking forward to the next 366 dresses in the New Year! Yeah!
Susan
Wow! This turned out great – you looked amazing in it – perfect fit.
Felice Coles
Love it! Did you save the extra material for another project?
vintage51
Love how this dress turned out. You look so terrific in it. I look forward to this upcoming year, I have missed your daily posts. Michele. http://Www.vintagethrifter51.com
Kelly
What an amazing score! I love this refashion. I found your blog several months ago. I have a sewing machine but have never learned to use it and am not sure where I’d find the time to do this but I definitely plan to try. Thanks for sharing!!
Lala
There are so many tutorials online, not to mention most likely local classes too. You seem interested, so do what’s important to you, and don’t let time go past you regretting what you didn’t do. If you don’t want to sew, which I think you do, then consider giving your machine to someone else.
I wish you the best, no matter what you decide!
Lala
What a lucky thing to fall in your lap, a box of free vintage clothing. Wow! I’m jealous, but not as much so as I am excited to be able to see all your fabulous work in the present, instead of seeing it all in the past — which is fun too!
Speaking of seeing, though, it’s kind of hard to see your amazing black refashion against the dark background of that picture. Are there contrasting light and dark backgrounds you can stand in front of for these?
Hope my comments of use and I look forward to your posts! Yay!
Lala
Of course I meant this last comment for Jillian yet it posted here. Ahhhhhhhh!!!! Danged phone! Can I use that excuse for all my mistakes?
[email protected]
Hooray! You look beautiful. I absolutely love this refashion. Looking forward to seeing many more posts from you in 2016.
Susie - secondhandsusie.blogspot.co.uk
Your ‘new’ dress is lovely! Looking forward to seeing your 2016 challenge, I started reading your blog when you did your original refashion every day for a year challenge 😀
Karen Petitt
Stunning re-fashion and that dress is completely channelling Breakfast at Tiffany’s! Looking forward to seeing what else you have up your sleeve, or not, for the rest of the year! Enjoy your gorgeous vintage items Karen x
Dee
Ohmigosh, this post makes me SO happy!
Raymonde
Yeah!!!!!!! Great news!!! 🙂
karirhall
I cannot wait for this year! I got my very first sewing machine for Christmas a week ago. I cannot wait for a daily dose of inspiration!!! Thank you for being you!
Ann Seabolt
So excited! Your posts have a little far between lately.
Laura
I am SO excited about this! Your original 366 day challenge is what inspired me to sew 🙂
Gill
Yeah a post everyday – what a great New Years gift, thanks Gillian – I look forward to sharing 2016 with you.
Paula
I just discovered your sight yesterday. What perfect timing 🙂 Looking forward to the coming year
Wendy
Excited for your 2016 challenge – to my benefit 😉
The black dress turned out fabulous!
shropshirepagan
Now that is rather a fabulous refashion and what a haul! I’m certainly looking forward to your 2016 posts 🙂
Dawn wisusik
That’s the best news I’ve heard all year! ( so far) Thanks!
marian
FAB YOU LOUs !!!!!!!!!!
Del
Every day posting will be awesome and I appreciate how much WORK will go into doing that! Planning, cutting, pinning, sewing and picture taking along with the creative thinking part is pretty time consuming!
Reade Adams
What fun! I admire your creative vision and look forward to your re-creations this coming year.
Keri
Yayyyy! After binging on the 2011 challenge, I’m happy that I get to be here for this one in real time!
Julie
gorgeous job! And I look forward to 366 posts…. yay!!!
Pat
Yay! I have missed you!
Pat
Sharon Kimmerle
Beautiful! Always excited to see what you have done.
Meek Ruth
I’m always amazed at your awesome refashions!
Agatha L.
What a beautiful refashion! You look stunning! I love the shoes!!!!
laurpud
Hooray! It’ll be great getting updates so often! Lovely refashion, too ❤
seweverythingblog
The dress looks great & so do you :). I’m looking forward to reading your daily posts. Good wishes & happy new year!
I will be posting daily on my blog for just one week (tba) in 2016 – baby steps. Rest of the year I’m sticking with weekly content.
Sue
This is the best refashion I’ve seen – ever.
D Helper
Yippee! It is going to be a great year! Good luck with this new daily challenge.
Great job with this dress!!!
Teri H
I agree some of that fabric had to go. The from fitting LBD is darling, great job!
MJ
Yay!!! Great news!! Thank you!!
Gail Fritz
Love this dress! Can’t wait to read the daily post!! 🙂
C Deal
Happy New Year! Glad you are back to posting. I am looking forward to my fix every day.
Jillian McKimm
Congratulations on your ” new finds” and your refashioned piece. Love that fearlessness “snip snip!!”
Glad to see you back rearing to go!
Happy New Year!
I will be watching!
Love Jillian 🙂
Paula
Love this dress, glad you are back you are such an inspiration!
Michelle
Wow! You knocked this one out of the park. What a great find!
Cindy
happy, happy, happy!!! Love your work!
Connie S
Great job and super news on your 2016 plans. I love your blog. You are worth the wait.
Amy
You rock! I love seeing your ideas and transformations. It is inspiring and fun. Happy 2016!
Linda woods
Fabulous!
Diane
Rock on! You are creative and entertaining ! Can’t wait to see what you do next
Linda C.
Your dresses to long tops, dyeing techniques, and no fuss re purposing are just great! I look forward to your posts this year!
linziloop
This dress suits you SO much and is absolutely perfect! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Heidi
I love this refashion! And as I just discovered you this past year and promptly went through every single refashion from beginning to end over the course of about a month and then went through withdraw that the new ones were more sporadic, I am beyond excited to be able to see something new to inspire me every day!!! YAAAAAYYYYY!!!
Marilyn
LOVE!!!
Colleen Mayberry
You always amaze me! Looking forward to seeing more this year.
goldeglo
The end result was gorgeous! The sandals… that’s another story. This is a dress for either a high-heeled, sexy strappy sandal, or a classy black pump.
I love your blog!
Lala
Sorry if it offends you, but I disagree. I think these shoes work just as good as heels would. Heels are extremely unhealthy anyhow, and if you’re like me, dangerous too 😉
I find these shoes to be fancy enough to work.
Murielle
Looks sleek chic and super sexy. Looking forward to more fabulous posts.
Heidi
NICE. Love how that LBD came out of the formal dress. Love the back.
Mary
Great refashion. You look lovely! Daily posts sound fantastic! Happy 2016!
Janis
You are so great at transforming out dated to today style. You rock. My Grandmother was a semstres and she would have loved seeing your work. Wonderful
Sandi
Best news I’ve heard all year!!! No, but seriously, I’m so excited! Thanks for doing this!
Kelsey BaRoss
Love the dress! And am very excited to see content from you every day this year! 🙂 I need to break out the sewing machine and get refashioning again, so your posts will be a good daily reminder to get my butt back in gear. I have too many projects in queue!
Michelle
That dress is stunning and the fit perfect.
I’m so glad your doing a 366 challenge again I guessed right on Facebook yay me! I’m also glad your not forcing yourself to do a refashion everyday though, the pressure is too much. Look forward to all your up coming posts.
Sophie
OMG! Lucky you! And what an amazing job you did too!
JanZen
New Year! New refashions!!!!!
Lori Nevin
I was waiting and waiting for your announcement so I decided to chop, snip and refash a sweater using my new machine I just got. And now more inspiration will be eagerly awaited each day! Thanks Jillian.
Vicky Myers
What a stunning dress:) here’s to many inspiring refashions in 2016, happy new year:)
Helen
I love the finished result and I’m so pleased that you’ll be posting every day. I’ve missed you. Happy New Year!
Caty
I love you! You’re back with everything that made me wish I was you.
Maria
From unloved to KNOCKOUT! I am so excited to see your posts. You inspire me and I plan to do some of my own re-fashioning this year. We live in such a disposable society and waste. I want to be a better human and add value rather than drain the world.
Lala
Maria, your comment inspires me as well as Jillian’s posts! I bet your own work will inspire others too! You have a great outlook and attitude!
Debbie
Yay for the daily refashions. I’m so excited! You always inspire me.
amarthya
Slam dunk! Happy 2016!!
Carol
This is your best refashion yet! Great job! You look great in it – it’s a keeper!
Amber
Yay!!!!!!
Carolyn
Yay!
JOAN
Wow. Gorgeous dress! I am so excited to see your refashions this year. Love your blog.
Jamie
OMG!! I am super freakin excited!! Your original 365 day challenge is when I found youe wonderful blog!!!
Marie Merriman
Love it!
CJ
This is gorgeous! Love the back too! Looking forward to this year of new things learned and new ideas!
Sharon Dela-Hamaide
You are so creative, but thrifty too! I look forward to seeing you often. I wish you lived closer, so I could get hands-on lessons. I have a lot of “size too big” or “not petite” even though I am, or slightly (or really) out of date things that need to be altered and re-created. Keep up the good work!
Lala
The are so many online tutorials when it comes to sewing I’m guessing would help you learn to do this yourself. There may even be some local classes, if it works better for you to venture that route. I’m guessing you’d surprise yourself with what you can do.
Beryl
Absolutely love the way you re-fashioned this dress. It is gorgeous.
Jane
Beautiful- what a stunning neckline- and your refashion worked perfectly.
blissinger
Wowza is right! This is one of the most elegant refashions you’ve done (that I’ve seen, anyway). Happy New Year, looking forward to your daily posts (You’re REALLY going to do that?)
arlenef
Beautiful! You do lovely work! The back sends it over the top…awesome! Did you build/sew a bra form into the front?
ReFashionista
Thanks! Luckily, my strapless bra dips low enough in the back to where that wasn’t necessary. 🙂
Nic
Absolutely amazing refash!! Would love a close up of that fabulous neck detail though!!!
Lala
I totally agree, good call! I didn’t realize I was wanting that till you mentioned it.
Lou
What would look amazing is using up the extra fabric from the dress and making something snazzy to sit at the back to really emphasize the beautiful cut at the top. One amazing work of art.
Deborah
Such a sophisticated look with the faux fur jacket. Oooo la la!
Danielle
Yay, a post every day, I love your inspiration
Helise
This is easily my favourite of all your refashions! Well done and well timed!
Wendy
I don’t know whether to hate or love you because now I can’t seem to get rid of anything out of date or ill-fitting!!! I need another closet now! Seriously, I LOVE what you do and I am really looking forward to seeing what you do this year.
Shay
OOOOOOO!!!! I love it. You look amazing! Can’t wait to see more from you! Happy New Year!
Kari Hayes
Love it love it LOVE IT !!!!! so can’t wait for the daily posts. You inspire me everyday to think outside the box!
Pattie Nicholson
Beautiful!!!
Vickie
You look fabulous, darling!
Cheryl Johnson
Gorgeous, you did a great job explanation or
Joyce
What a gorgeous dress, & I’m so excited that we’ll be hearing from you more in 2016! Happy New Year!
Amanda Mae Kerr
YEAH! So excited to read everyday! Thank you for doing the challenge again so that we can be inspired
Liz
Can’t wait
Keri-Ann
This dress is absolutely GORGEOUS!
Denise
Beautiful!! Maybe my favorite so far
JoAnn W
Beautiful dress!! Great job…I also love my Pfaff..
Frugal in the Valley
Oh my giddy goat, this is a great piece, exciting to get some cool clothes from a friend’s boss too. And yay, here’s to you posting everyday!
northerndeb
Great news for the start of the year and I like what you have planned. Looking forward to being inspired!!
Nancy
Yeah! Glad you are back! Happy New Year to you!
Valerie
Thank you! I so look forward to your creativity and the inspiration it brings!
pshamel
Wow! Fabulous acquisition AND refashioning! Thanks for sharing!
therefashstash
That is such a beautiful refashion’
Laura Downs
Gorgeous!!!!
kathy
Oh my gosh…. This came out beautifully.
Linda Ursin
I look forward to seeing what you make 🙂