Pages

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Another Remake...

So last year I gave away 5 large construction garbage bags full of clothing. They were mostly filled with dresses and pants. I held onto most of my sweaters, tops and tanks. I thought they could always be taken in or refashioned.

Fast forward to this summer and my drawers are overstuffed and I'm a little annoyed so I've decided to remake some of the pieces or donate them. I'm going through a drawer at a time (cause that's all I can handle) putting some things in a donate pile, a piece or two in a refashion pile and refolding the rest and putting them back in the drawer.

I'm slowly but surely clearing things out...which brings us to this refashion.

I sort my drawers by color because if I'm looking for a white top/sweater, I don't want to sort through 8 drawers to find one. I started this adventure with the white drawer first because it was the top drawer in my bureau. I had two of these tanks. They were part of twinsets that I purchased from QVC about 7 or 8 years ago. Somewhere I lost one of the cardigans but still had both tank tops. Since I don't need both tank tops, I decided to remake one of the tanks into a maxi dress.

This is another one of my easy breezy maxidresses that is simple to make. This time I used a bright floral rayon that I bought from fabric.com in 2011/2012. They were a part of the Van Gogh series from the Free Spirit Collection. I fell in love with these rayon prints and bought two from fabric.com and three of them from Low Price Fabrics. You can read all about it here since I actually documented their arrival. Again more pieces of fabric that I bought because I loved them and not because they actually fit into my work wardrobe at the time.
  • To make this one, I cut two pieces of the fabric 45" long and serge finished both edges. 
  • Then I stitched 3/4" side seams making sure to include all of the selvage markings.
  • I added a line of gathering to the front and the back separately and then gathered each one about 1/2" from the side seam on either side.
  • Gathered the fabric to match the front and back pieces and sewed it together.
  • Pressed the seam up.
  • Stitched a 1" hem into the skirt.

Construction Pictures ~
The top before I cut it off
The top after I cut it off

The dress at this point had a nice look but it was kind of loose fitting and I was seeing a closer top with a wide skirt in my mind's eye. So I went looking for a green striped ribbon that I knew was in the notions collection.


I added it to the dress right beneath the empire seam line, stitching it to the side seams. It added some interest and it allowed me to tie the bodice closer. I was worried that the ribbon with the bow was too juvenile looking for me but I think it works.

A few pictures of the completed maxi dress ~



There is a lot of fabric in this skirt and the wind blew it out so beautifully.

With the matching cardigan ~


Sometimes I think I should apologize for going my own way and not always using a pattern because it makes it hard to duplicate an item. BUT I know that I have to sew for me and this fits my lifestyle now. It was so worth it refashioning a piece that would have otherwise been donated. 

Plus I LOVE all of the extra fabric in this maxi dress. The black crochet/striped maxi dress that I recently remade has a slimmer look so I have to take smaller steps in it. I wanted something that moved & flowed and this dress more than meets that requirement. This dress makes me happy. Seriously, it's just a fun dress!

I do have a lot more sewing from the 4th of July weekend and this pass weekend to share with you. Most of it is actually from a current pattern - hahahahaha! So more items up on the blog soon.

...as always more later!



28 comments:

  1. Oh my this is so fabulous! I am green with maxi envy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Don't apologize - I use your items as inspiration for me to try.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think posting about remakes is as important as "original" makes. Many people are into remaking, and I sometimes remake my originals. : )

    ReplyDelete
  4. How I love your maxi dress. The print paired with white is such a fresh and summery combo.I like the setting of the photos too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That looks lovely: fresh and summery were exactly the words that came to my mind too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What fabulous inspiration, Carolyn!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Don't apologize Carolyn. Do you! Love your remake, the print and the flowyness of the skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great idea for the tank! You look lovely & the skirt fabric is a beautiful print! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is an incredible refashion. It turned out wonderful. Great great job. I'm ready to sew now. g

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've been on vacation like forever, so I guess you are ready to sew now! *smile*

      Delete
  10. I really like this, great refashion!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am loving your refashioning series. I have several items I want to refashion - and this has been an inspiration. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a great refashion and so nice that you have the matching cardigan to wear with both the new dress and one of the original tank tops.

    I have to say that I love your necklaces with this dress. They look so pretty and pull the focus of your outfit right up to your face.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is really beautiful! Love the fabric, and what a great way to reuse the tank top!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This dress is so "cool" as in temperature-wise. It looks so perfect for mid-summer heat. I love the rayon fabric and your fabulous idea to attach it to a tank top. Great inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW!!! Beautiful fabric and I love the ribbon ties! I want to try this now as I have plenty of items in my closet that need donated as well! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You look pretty, graceful and cool. Excellent remake!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful use of this terrific fabric! I love when you show patterns you've made, but this encourages me to get a little off the beaten path. Thanks for a fantastic skirt idea. I must have some similar fabric in the stash. I neeeeeed a flowy type skirt soon.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the fabric on the skirt and the maxi looks great! I love a good maxi especially for summer!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow, I love the combination of white and florals! You look great!

    ReplyDelete
  20. From Creative Hormone Rush: What a happy, happy dress! This remake is truly inspired. Then again, you're always inspired...and inspiring. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Such a lovely outfit. That fabric is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Brilliant! You look great. And I love that billowing skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  23. You look so pretty! Love the dress!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great dress, what a wonderful idea.....always think you look absolutely fabulous in the maxi dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love, love, love this! Great job with refashioning.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love this dress that fabric is divine!!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! It is so appreciated!