Monday, February 18, 2013

Dragonfly Dress

I snatched up this bright aqua housedress at the thrift store a few months back for $3. The shape (or lack thereof) is terrible, but the color and adorable embroidery on the skirt really called to me.

Dragonfly Dress - Before

To begin the conversion from housedress to sundress, the first step was to chop off the yoke at the armpits.

Dragonfly Dress - in Progress

Next I cut about 8 inches down each side seam. I'm going to create a couple bust darts before rejoining the sides to one another.

Dragonfly Dress - in Progress

I took the front flap and folded it down onto itself. I pinned about 1 inch from the fold (for a 2-inch dart) and tapered the dart as I went inward toward the button band. I did this on the other side as well, and them sewed along the pins.

Dragonfly Dress - in Progress

I flipped my dress inside out and pinned my new sides seams, giving it a shape less... rectangular.

Dragonfly Dress - in Progress

I hemmed all the way around the top edge.

Dragonfly Dress - in Progress

From my remnants, I cut four long strips and four tapered strips (there are two of each stacked up in this picture).

Dragonfly Dress - in Progress

I joined the skinny end of each tapered piece to a long thin strips. Then I joined each pair to another pair to create my straps. I gave them both a quick top-stitching along the edges to a neat edge.

Dragonfly Dress - in Progress

Finally, I attached my new straps, and I'm ready to go!

Dragonfly Dress - After

It's still a bit too chilly to wear this, maybe with a cardigan on one of the recent warmer days, but I know I'll get plenty of use out of a cotton dress in a few months.

Dragonfly Dress - in Progress

Look at those cute little dragonflies!

Dragonfly Dress - After

Dragonfly Dress Before & After


5 comments:

  1. Hi Carissa!
    MUCH BETTER!
    kisses from Portugal!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very pretty! Love the embroidery on the hem. Hope it's warm enough where you are to wear it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is such a cute summer dress refashion!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this! So cute! Nice job.
    ~Jen :)

    ReplyDelete
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