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!

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

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

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  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.

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

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  6. What fabulous inspiration, Carolyn!

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

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

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

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

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  10. I really like this, great refashion!

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

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  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.

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

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  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!

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  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!

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

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  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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  23. You look so pretty! Love the dress!

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

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

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

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