I have had this basic gray dress FOREVER! Like pre-kids forever. It's always been such a good dress to me, and to be quite honest, it didn't really need a makeover. I was bored, and the dress fell victim to my boredom. A couple days ago I was browsing though Some Girls Wonder and came upon this Paul and Joe dress. I thought of how similar it was to my gray dress in regards to the basic design. Immediately, I went to my trim stash and had just enough black lace to add to the sleeves. So with a couple of stitches, I gave my basic gray dress eyelashes... so to speak =)
(I dried my bra in the dryer, resulting in the fabric shrinking. This is why there is a bra line. Let this be a lesson!)I top stitched two rows of black lace to each sleeve area of the dress. The second row is set in 1/2" from the first row. If I had more of the dress material, I would have made fabric ruffle sleeves with a little lace stitched to the ends, similar to the Paul and Joe dress. I did contemplate shortening the dress and using the excess fabric for ruffle sleeves, but the dress would have been way to mini for me. Plus, I didn't want a big project. Nor did I want to make a trip to the local fabric store for similar fabric. I just wanted to work with what I had in my stash. In the end, I think it turned out just fine.
As for the embellishments, I cut a long piece of black velvet ribbon and looped it through the already existing belt loops (I cut off the gray ties that the dress already had sewn in). The pin is from The Black Apple (Emily Martin) who ironically writes the Some Girls Wonder blog..
I... I... I love you Emily.
Seriously, the pin is even better than I had hoped for. It's funny because I've never really been a pin/brooch person and now I totally adore them. Hooray for the little things in life that make us feel good =)
Jamie
15 comments:
wonderful dress makeover.
You mean, you didn't wear the 80's pins of your favorite band or teen heart throb? No, all kidding a side, I get ya about the small things in life. For me, jewelry makes me feel pretty, like Maria from West Side Story.
and it turned out lovely. If you tire of the look, it's easy enough to remove.
Gloria - I didn't wear a pin from the 80's. Shocking!
Kaye - Exactly!
Wow, great makeover. Thanks for the inspo. It makes me want to look at the many pieces I have that I don't like anymore but could possibly re-do like you.
Shame on you for abusing your bra! ALWAYS hang them to dry and they will last almost forever.
Oh, by the way... the dress looks cute.
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
The makeover of the dress turn out awesome! This is so inspirational and your work is always sooo lovely and pretty! Hope your having a good merry happy week and love to you!
Really pretty, Jamie! I love your interpretation more than the original dress.
That is fantastic! A great dress to begin with just made better!
I'm new to your blog via One Pretty Thing's Daily DIY - your scarves are great. Christmas presents, indeed! You are very talented and I love your taste in fashion. I'm probably going to be lurking around here often, stealing your ideas! ;)
Excellent makeover.!! That simple dress turned out sooo beautiful.
you have the best 'quick' ideas! I am so very jealous... must find a dress I can do this too! how fun!
ohh lovely!!! ;)
The dress is beautiful, it is perfect for wear to the office or any event.
Impressive and attractive posting. I enjoyed it. I think others will like it & find it useful for them. Good luck with your work
I want to get a similar dress because I will have an important meeting next week!
The writer is totally fair, and there is no question.
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