5.14.2013

Thrift shop dress makeover

 photo Dressba_zps63f6dc36.jpg

Today I found this dress at a local charity shop. The fabric was ideal, and I've had my eye on a few $100 shirtdresses making the rounds on pinterest, so I figured it might have potential! It was only $10, but I had a $10 credit, so it was freeeeeeeeee! 

 Before: Auditioning for sister wives. 

After: Frolicking barefoot in the grass. 

I think it turned out pretty cute, I raised the shoulders, nipped in the sides, hemmed it up, and added pockets. Because what's the point of sewing if you can't have pockets?

Dress-Charity shop

Hat-Urban Eccentric Vintage
   photo Maydress042_zps4d319db9.jpg
 photo Maydress080_zps93337307.jpg
 photo Maydress099_zps98e8b202.jpg
 photo Dress1-2_zps94a4772d.jpg

54 comments:

Harlow Darling said...

Such an amazing transformation, what a cute summer dress! The Sister Wives reference made me giggle :P

Unknown said...

Very cute! You did such a great job!

xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/

DeeTech said...

VERY nice!

DeeTech said...

VERY nice!

Rosariummm said...

So cute I need to do this!

Abbi Jane said...

Teehehe!

When my older sisters were my age (actually a few years younger than me) they kind of lived in jumper style, ankle length dresses. Especially from Brynn Connely. That transformation is genius. Good eye :)

Unknown said...

Ah! This made me smile. I love it :)

art deco dame said...

Cute!This is where I kick myself for not learning to sew better.

Sammi said...

I love this!!! The end result is absolutely adorable (and yes to the pockets!!!) and perfect for summer. The "before" is extremely Sister Wives, hehe. Love it! I am envious of your skills!

xox Sammi
www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

Me said...

Fantastic job! I'm inspired to finally pull out the sewing machine I bought months ago and have yet to use...

Rebecca said...

what a deal what a steal! and man i love the transformations. super cute! great job

VintageDanielle said...

Adorable transformation! I've seen many dresses like the before and wish I had the skills to redo.

JohnG said...

Awesome, as always. "Before" is strongly reminding me of Natalie Merchant back in her 10,000 Maniacs days.

MarieBayArea said...

Score!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! Really amazing transformation, looks so lovely xx

Helen Le Caplain said...

Ooh it looks lovely (especially the pockets) :)and it was free? Win win!

www.mancunianvintage.com

bahnwärterin said...

nice job!
funnily the fabric looks like the army sheets in the GDR.... :-)

Witchcrafted Life said...

Seriously fantastic job! I love your resourcefulness and the design you went with here. The pocket placement couldn't be any more perfect. Wonderful work, sweet gal!

♥ Jessica

Incendiary Blonde said...

You did a great job! The perfect, comfortable, summer day dress.

Anonymous said...

What a great dress makeover! And I think all dresses should have pockets!
xx
http://thescreensiren.com

alittlevintagestory said...

What a great make-over, such hidden treasures can be unearthed with just a good eye and a little bit of sewing magic.

Melli said...

That's why I love sewing <3
Really nice transformation!!

CBoyer said...

Very cute! I am going to have to keep this in mind for future refashions!

Brigid
The Middle Sister and Singer

Foxburrow Vintage said...

Wow you did a great job!

Unknown said...

Super cute! I cannot wait to learn how to sew-gahhhhhhhhh the things one can do hehe xox

CBoyer said...

Perfect!! Now I need to keep my eye out for those types of re-makables at thrift stores...

-Charlotte
boyerfamilysingers.blogspot.com

Ms.Tips said...

Love this post!! Pockets are must:)

Fiona said...

Adorable restyle! Especially the pockets!

Dulcie said...

This is so clever! I am now feeling very inspired and can't wait to attempt the same transformation on a charity shop find! :-) x

Sarah Jane said...

Stunning transformation. Love the 'after' pic. Although, there is something quite early nineties grunge about the original length :)

Crystal Lee said...

Much cuter after you worked your sewing magic. I really need to sew more often (not that I'm as skilled as you are). Thanks for the inspiration.

Naomi said...

Looks incredible!

The Occasional Indulgence

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT and I agree 100% about the pockets!

BaronessVonVintage said...

Brilliant! SO much cuter now!!

Kim Campbell said...

What a great find and makeover! I agree, much cuter after your redo.

Unknown said...

I love the first picture so much, I can't stop giggling. A perfect transformation, especially in the waist! Plus, pockets are alwaysthebest. Hooray Solanah!

xox Sara

Kristian said...

Impressive!

KristiMcMurry said...

LOVE it! I admire people who can transform old frumpy pieces like this. You did an amazing job :) And the "auditioning for Sister Wives" comment made me chuckle. haha

Unknown said...

absolutely love how it turned out! the fabric looks so very nice too!

Anonymous said...

wow! what a transformation. It looks amazing!

Andi B. Goode said...

Wow! What a makeover. It looks so incredibly cute, now.

Kačenka said...

Wow! Good job!

Olivia said...

I think I need to do a better job of looking for potential thrift store refashioning projects, I can never seem to find anything that looks as though it could be nicely transformed. This is inspiring, thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

So clever, I need to get me some sewing skillz. I keep thrifting bits and pieces with 'potential', but not knowing where to start. Maybe the key is actually: starting?

love your work,
http://inregardstoalice.blogspot.com.au/

Charlotte said...

I love this so much!

Becca said...

Wow! Great refashion. I love that you added pockets. It's so cute!

Unknown said...

Ba-ha-ha! "Auditioning for Sister Wives". Love it ;) It's adorable!

Anonymous said...

What'a cute transformation. I wish I knew how to sew.

Anonymous said...

Well done! Sometimes it's hard to see the potential in thrift shop finds but you clearly had a plan for this one. The outcome is amazing! What a perfect summer dress :)

Sarah Dee said...

I LOVE the pockets :) and I'm not gonna lie. The before description had me rolling around laughing. Are you gonna be a sister wife Solanah ;P

x dotti dee

p.s. I'm a week behind on reading blog posts *facepalm*

Unknown said...

That's fantastic! I need to be more open to those types of dresses when thrifting. Thanks for the inspiration.
-Emily
11shakes.blogspot.com

emily marlow said...

what a lovely rework of a vintage dress
more people should be as crafty as you!

emily
http://whatemilywears.blogspot.co.uk/

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I like it! Now, did I give away that old dress or is it still with the dress ups?

Sandra said...

amazing transformation! now i totally need to learn how to sew...