Blog — New Dress A Day

Red White & Black Striped Polka-Dot Shirt Remake

This was the shirt that I teases yesterday as the next remake on the agenda! Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

It's just too small to make work as is.

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

Can't even get it over my head!!

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

There's an elastic waist, so there's potential...

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

...but we just need to get it to a place where my head will fit. Yeah, so I gots a big head :) Time to make it work!

I began with a pair of scissors...

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

...and trimmed off the top, ruffled portion of the shirt.

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

Once the top portion was opened up (woo!), I folded and pinned under the raw edges.

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

Then I stitched a quick straight stitch around to form a new seam.

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

Now, here comes the fun part! I wanted to elevate the straps a bit, so a basic velvet wasn't going to work! I had some sequined fringe on hand that was going to do the trick.

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

I measured my fringe straps, cut them and then hand stitched them in place...

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

...to create this chic, new top!

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

I added a little pinch and cinch action at the bust line using a safety pin to create a little bit of ruching.

At first I wasn't sure if it was going to feel too flappery or "Chicago" musical at all, but I totally loved how it turned out.

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

Perfect thing to wear in front of a chandelier store, amirite?? (PS, the ScarJo SNL chandelier sketch is one of my all time faves!! Anyone else a fan??)

Scarlett Johannson SNL chandelier skit

Dangling crystals, dangling fringe!! Win win situation!!

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

From won't fit to fits like a glove!!

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

When something is too small, head to the scissors and trim!

Red White & Black Striped Polka-Dot Shirt Teaser

This shirt was one that I fell in love with right off the bat. However... Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

...it sadly didn't fit over my head! The top portion of the shirt was way too small.

Vintage Shirt - Polka dots

I figured out a way to make it work, though!! Stay tuned...full post coming later today!!

Remake: Vintage Purple Polyester Dress

Yeah, so this one is most definitely added to the "more uncomfortable vintage finds" list. It's a whole lotta polyester! New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

Polyester with a big ol'collar and a zipper down the front! Also there's a few belt loops with nothing to put inside...

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

Kind of itchy, seriously heavy, and without a whole ton of awesomeness going on.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

However, I'm a-gonna bring that awesomeness. You heard, I'm a-gonna bring it!

I just had to point this out...there's a V-shaped piece of material that was sewn directly to the piece to give the essence of a pocket. In fact, my friends, there is NO pocket! I had to give this piece props for doing some serious foolin'.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

But right after I gave my OK sign, I took that faux pocket off. Seam ripper, get rippin'!

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

I didn't notice the severity of the discoloration until I put the piece down and started to work. Just check out those sleeves and the collar! It's 50 shades of lavender!

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

I decided to get rid of all the trim, so the cuffs came off...

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

...as well as that collar.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

I'm working out some serious length adjusting, so I cut this piece in half-ish. I took off the skirt portion right below the hips, so I said goodbye to a little less than half.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

Because this piece is a bit boxy on me, I wanted to take it in. I pinned the front center of the piece, inside out, placing my pins about an inch from the purple trim area that the zipper is attached to.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dressNew Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

I stitched a straight seam down this front area and turned it inside out.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

To give a little more shape to the piece, I created a V neck which worked out perfectly with the new front seam that I had created. I removed a few stitches from the front portion that I just sewed to not only created a new shape at my neck, but to allow for enough room to put my head through without needing a zipper. There's a bit of stretch to this fabric as well making it easy to take on and off.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

Remember those belt loops? I just had to take them off. I removed stitches at the side seam that were keeping them in place and took out both loops...

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

...and restitched the holes that I just created.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

After all that work, I think I couldn't be happier with the result!

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

Pastel textured top? I will absolutely take it!

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

I paired my new top with a Trina Turk white skirt, vintage gold belt, and a pair of gold Charles David heels.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

It's super dainty yet has a structured edge, because the fabric is literally stiff. I think it would be awesome paired with a contrasting print for the next wear!

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

From horrid to happening, this house dress saw a complete 180. And yes, I totally took time to stop and smell the flowers.

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

I love that you would never know what this looked like in the beginning as well! I'm bringing a screen shot of the before look with me whenever I wear this from here on out!