Dress Refashion (Tutorial)

What to do when a dear friend gives you a dress that's not quite your style...or size, or...anywhere near your size?

Like I did with this ginormous (apparently that really is a word now because my spell checker doesn't catch it. Amazing.) jumper that was given to me recently. I turned it into this lovely little sundress with a ruffled neckline. 

It's so breezy and spring-like that I do believe it brought the sun out from our super cold and rainy spring  all by itself!


(P.S. I just had to fit this in somewhere-these white shoes that I've been wearing the last few posts were only $.99 at Ross!! How amazing is that? I love discount stores.)

OK, back to the dress. 
I wore it to church after I made it and I must have been complimented by half the people there! If they only knew, hm? :o) That's the great thing about sewing, it's like having a magic wardrobe wand in your pocket.


I see dresses like this all the time at the thrift store, I wish I'd thought to refashion one before! You might even have something like this in your closet right now! These 90's prints are back like crazy, they just need a little loving update. :O)


Do you have a dress sitting in your closet to re-work? If not, hit the thrift store! There are tons there waiting to be rescued.


Here's the how-to:

  • Start with a long sheath dress. If your dress is too big, like mine was, you'll want to take in the sides. Just turn your dress inside-out and sew down the sides, following the original shape of the dress.
  • Then you'll want to try on the dress and find the right hem length for you. Add an inch or two to that, and cut off the excess evenly.


  • Use the part you trimmed off to cut a 4" strip, 1.5-2x your neckline measurement. Be sure to use the hemmed edge so you don't have to hem your ruffle. 

  • Serge or zig-zag the raw edge of your 4" strip, hem the two ends and then gather it into a ruffle. Pin your ruffle to your neckline (wrong side of ruffle should face right side of dress) and sew on!


Isn't that an easy refashion?
And what a dramatic difference!

I hope that gets your mind reeling of fun things to alter. Once you get started, it's hard to stop!
Happy refashioning!

Love,
-Disney







Comments

  1. adorable! It came out great!

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  2. It's great when you can make something that you will wear from something you wont. Mr me has a few check shirts that no longer fit him (I think I feed him too well) so you have given me the inspiration to try and alter them.

    Thank you

    Jan x

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  3. This makes me want to head to the thrift store to find one for myself!!

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  4. A.Dor.Able. I love it!

    I'm working on similar projects. After having lost quite a bit of weight in the past year, I went through my closet and found several things that are too big but I like enough to alter. It's especially nice when you find something that used LOADS of fabric, so you've got plenty to work with.

    Happy sewing!

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  5. This is so cute! What a great, and easy, idea. I'm often plauged with not finding things in my size at the thrift stores. You make it look so simple, not to mention adorable!

    -Stephanie

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  6. Smart!! I love how you transformed that mess into a fab dress!(I know that just sounded corny!)lol.

    Jessica
    www.jessabellstamps.blogspot.com

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  7. Gorgeous! It's amazing what a little tailoring can do! Love it!

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  8. Disney you always amaze me! You can turn something frumpy into something chic! I LOVE IT!
    www.seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com
    Jenny

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  9. My goodness lady! I love the dress refashion (and the before picture is funny too). I hope someone tells you everyday how amazing you are!

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  10. Wow I can't believe you made that adorable dress from that not so cute one!

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  11. Ooh that looks awesome, love the pretty fabric! I did that with dress recently too, amazing what a bit of elastic will do! :)

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  12. Very clever! So summery and pretty.

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  13. That is fantastic! I love it!

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  14. I love it so much!
    You make it so easy, but so far I'm not skilled enough to do this. I'd just take an oversized dress and turn it into a mess.

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  15. Disney, you've outdone yourself yet again. In a few easy steps you transformed a "Yeeeesh" into a "Yeeeeah!!!" I have practically no talent with the sewing machine, but your projects are always so easy that even I can do them. And you simply MUST reveal your secret for looking like a super model in every. single. shot. ^_^ One word for both you and the dress - LOVELY!!!

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  16. Holy goodness, that dress looks fantastic! The length is JUST RIGHT, the white belt is great on it, and the ruffle is so sweet - and so you! Love love love. Great work!

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  17. Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [01 Jun 10:15am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

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  18. The dress looks beautiful. I want to say thank you for the tutorial.

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  19. Wow! You're such an amazing designer! :) The dress fits you like a glove! :) LOVE it! :D

    www.arty-heart.blogspot.com

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  20. What a great idea! Now if only I had a reliable sewing machine...and could sew! But my 9 year old is an up and sewing fashionista, so there's still hope!

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  21. Wow, that looks great! I'm attempting to refashion a vintage Hawaiian Muu Muu right now... not an easy task but it is fun trying!

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  22. I wish I was as talented at sewing as you are! I would love to be able to do some refashions of my own. You should check out the blog newdressaday.com . The author did one outfit refashion per day for an entire year! And only spent $365!

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  23. I would love to bookmark this tutorial, but it seems to be missing! :( Any help?

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  24. I just discovered your blog, it is so cool ! and your children are so nice :-)

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  25. What a pretty day dress! I'm trying this today with a hand-me-down. Can't wait to wear it tomorrow! =D

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  26. what a cute brand new dress:) all you need is a huge box of old clothes to play around with, and sell them :D childrens and womens, what a great way to have an income :D

    kudzu

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  27. Thanks for your tutorial. Using it, I just did my first refashion. Still a bit big in the top of the dress, but I think overall it turned out okay. And, you've inspired me to keep trying. Appreciate your tutorial : ) I linked back to your post in my post, below.

    Alison
    http://www.liveaboardwife.blogspot.com/2013/04/dress-refashion.html

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