Thursday, January 8, 2009

Thrift Store Revival

This is technically another Urban Renewal post but I think the title "Thrift Store Revival" more accurately captures the essence of what I am doing- which is, reviving ugly, over-sized clothes from the thrift store. You know, bringing them back from the dead and turning them into fashionable/wearable attire.

This project took a few hours longer than my first dress because the fabric wasn't stretchy which made it harder to work with. Also, don't look too close because, as I've said before, I'm a pretty mediocre seamstress and there are several things I would do differently if I had to do it all over again. With that said, I'm still pretty pleased with the results and I'm thinking it is going to be really hard for me to pay more than $3 for a dress ever again.

Before: A $3 navy blue polka dot polyester dress, complete with shoulder pads.
After: The same dress (sans the shoulder pads) with shorter puffed sleeves, a hem that hits just below the knee and a slightly lower neck line accented with a little tie. I topped it off with a pretty yellow flower belt I found on sale at J.Crew.


21 comments:

Bethany said...

I love this!

Anonymous said...

how beautiful!!! Looks fabulous on you!

Christi said...

OMG! I have no clue how I found your blog but I LOVE IT! And you are a mad seamstress...I've seen some fabulous patterns lately at the thrift stores and wanted to make them over. maybe it's time for me to actually try! better yet, maybe start with some pieces i don't care for as they are anymore. nice work and keep the inspiration up, please!

Anonymous said...

That is amazing.. the belt is the perfect touch.. I love navy and yellow!

Jocelyn said...

Kim, you're killing me with your amazing redouxs! Great job!

Vanessa said...

awesome.
i have a similar dress to this that i bought from downeast, only your version is much better!

Thomas Family said...

That looks great! It's very you :)

Ashley said...

Wow Kim! That's awesome, I love the new dress.I wish I had some of your creativity.

Monica said...

Kim,
You are super talented at this stuff and I think only YOU could pull off all these adorable styles!! GOOD JOB!! You're so much more patient then I could ever be! I would just get frusterated trying to do something like that. Good finds!

Autumn said...

So amazing! I had to stare at the two side by side-they hardly look like the same dress in any way at all. The yellow belt is such a great accent! SO awesome!! Cool about the Crafty Crow-I'm going to look there now.

SoggyToad said...

That is a talent I wish I had, to see beyond what is there to what could be.

Likely said...

I linked here from the crafty crow and I have to say that I LOVE this dress. Sooo cute. I linked it on my blog. I hope that is okay. You are on my sidebar of inspiration. I love thrift store remakes.

fantastic!

Kim said...

Thanks for all the sweet comments everyone! Seriously, I mean it when I say I'm not a great sewer...if you can sew a straight line you can do this too!

Kim Priestap said...

I'm impressed!

Emily said...

you're in.sane.ly talented. That is amazing that it is the same dress because it look nothing like it. awesome.

Carly Winborne said...

i'm from the crafty crow and am BLOWN away by your dress revivals!!! my lordy, i can't imagine where to begin on something like this. what a talent you have and you say your only mediocre...

i'll be back to visit often!

kcb said...

wow! impressive kim.

Erin said...

Wow, no idea how i stumbled across your page, but this dress transformation is incredible!

Mallory said...

I love this. I have always loved your style. What a great idea in this tight budget time.

**Maria ** said...

Hi - Can you tell us how you changed the neckline and attached the bow?

Thank you!

Portland Sunshine said...

LOVE this. Love your blog.

http://portlandsunshine.blogspot.com/2009/02/wishing-i-could-sew.html