Not too long ago I bought this skirt at The Salvation Army for $4, with a mind to turning it into a dress for Audrey:
The skirt is (was) size 2, with pleats and lining. Pretty quickly it became this:
This was my first skirt refashion, and I think it turned out beautifully. I think this is my favourite dress so far. Here's a quick overview of the steps:
1. I turned the dress inside out and had Audrey hold it in place with the zipper in the back, then I pinned down the sides, letting the skirt flare out a bit past the waist.
2. I used my rotary cutter and grid ruler to cut away the excess fabric, allowing about 1/2" on either side. (I should have left about an 1", because the dress was too tight, and I had to pick apart the stitches and sew it again with a REALLY skinny seam. Live and learn.)
3. I used some of the scraps to create the straps. I took three inch strips, ironed them with right sides together, sewed up the long side of each one, then flipped them right side out. Then I pinned them on the dress while Audrey was wearing it. In the front, I put the straps on the outside, and added buttons as a false closure. In the back, I put them underneath, then attached them in a slight "V", because I find they don't slip off her shoulders that way.
4. The neckline ended up being a little low, so I added the ruffle. I made another strip like the straps, then I sewed it into a ruffle by folding the fabric up and over as it went through the machine. The I sewed it onto the dress:
I added white bias tape to the bottom, because I love that look.
Audrey loves her dress. She ended up wearing it to school with a long sleeved t-shirt and tights, and she told her teacher that her mommy made her dress. I'll have to teach her the word "refashion".
Funny face...
Oh that is SO cute! It turned out beautifully! I really want to try this too.
Posted by: Heather M. | March 02, 2011 at 10:51 PM
That is gorgeous! Very well done :)
Posted by: Joanne | March 02, 2011 at 11:57 PM
Now this looks really great! I mean both the dress AND the model!
Posted by: Jurana | March 03, 2011 at 03:34 AM
Wow Lisa! That dress "refashion" is impressive! Your girls will be very well-dressed this spring and summer - and for very little money!!
Posted by: Bronwyn McConvey | March 03, 2011 at 08:30 AM
LISA!
This really turned out beautifully! Wowee! Miss Audrey and Miss Lily are very fortunate to have a fashion designer mama :) Great work.
Posted by: Alanasnell@gmail.com | March 03, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Oh that is so cute!
Posted by: nightowl_72 | March 10, 2011 at 05:10 AM