Red White & Black Striped Polka-Dot Shirt Remake

This was the shirt that I teases yesterday as the next remake on the agenda!

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

Can't even get it over my head!!

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

...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...

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

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

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

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.

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

...to create this chic, new top!

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.

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??)

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

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

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...

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

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!

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

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

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'.

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

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!

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

...as well as that collar.

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.

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.

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

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.

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...

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

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

Pastel textured top? I will absolutely take it!

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

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!

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

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!