Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sunday Sew-Day: Denim, Part V

Okay, so I realize there is a difference between denim and chambray, but the thing is - I don't care. For the purposes of this series, chambray is close enough to denim.

Now that we have that cleared up, check out this 'before' dress! If it looks familiar, well, it should. I've already remade another dress from the same source, and now it's this one's turn!

Denim Sundress - BeforeDenim Sundress - Before

I came across this cute little chambray sundress on The Fancy Pants Report, via Pinterest naturally. Her dress came from Target and has adorable little white polka dots all over. My version will be sadly lacking in the polka dots department, but I'm hoping it will still be adorable as well.

Chambray Sundress

My first step was to pluck off those awesome buttons. You won't see them again today, but I have a feeling they'll make an appearance down the road.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

Then came disassembly and ironing...

Denim Sundress - In Progress

...and heart removal...

Denim Sundress - In Progress

...and stain discovery. Ugh.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

Then on the pattern drafting. Well, more like very rough sketching, but whatever.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I cut out my pieces, avoiding those stains, of course.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I put together two copies of the bodice, one for the outside and another for a lining.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

A few gathers on either side will accommodate the girls.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

Setting my bodice aside, I cut off half of the circumference of the original skirt to make my new skirt. From the remainder, I cut four squares for pockets. One square was pinned to the right side of the top edge of the skirt .

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I sewed a semi-circle, trimmed the excess, and clipped the seam allowance.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

Then I flipped the square over to the inside of the skirt and gave it a good press.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I pinned a second square on top of the first square (but not to the skirt layer) and sewed around the left, right, and bottom edges.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

With one pocket complete, I repeated the process on the other hip for a second pocket.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

It was about this time, I acquired a helper. She graciously volunteered to take my afternoon nap for me while I continued sewing.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

Then it was time to join the skirt to the bodice. With right sides facing, I pinned the skirt to the outer bodice piece, gathering the skirt as I went. Then I added the bodice lining on the other side of the skirt layer.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

The skirt was a little on the long side, so I chopped off 4 inches from the bottom.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

My next mission was to mimic the detailing around the bottom edge on the original dress. I folded four inches upward toward the wrong side, and sewed about a half-inch from the fold.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

Then I folded another inch-and-a-half up and sewed again. And I repeated this twice more, for a total of four little flappy things.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I pressed all the flaps downward.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

After that I sewed about a third of the way up the back seam, and installed a zipper on the remaining two-thirds.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

The bottom edge of the skirt got a new hem as well.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I opted to add straps to my dress due to my aversion toward strapless bras. I do own one and we tolerate one another on occasion, but we are far from besties. So I took two long strips of fabric, about three inches wide, and sewed them into tubes.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I pressed the seams.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

Then I turned them right-side-out and pressed them flat again.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I folded the tops edges of the inner and outer bodice layers toward each other and pinned all the way around, inserting my straps where appropriate.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

With a zipper and straps, I was finally able to try on my dress and pinch, pin, and tweak the bust gathers until I had them the way I like them.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

I ran a line of stitching straight down the center.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

Next I folded along the vertical line of stitching and added a little dart at the top edge.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

This will give it a very slight sweetheart neckline.

Denim Sundress - In Progress

And we're finished!

Denim Sundress - AfterDenim Sundress - After

I really like how it came out, despite its polka dot deficiency.

Denim Sundress - AfterDenim Sundress - AfterDenim Sundress - After

I adore the bottom detail.

Denim Sundress - After

Hooray, pockets!

Denim Sundress - After

And hooray for the ability to wear a regular bra!

Denim Sundress - After

And here's a look at the zipper up the back.

Denim Sundress - After



Denim Sundress - Before & After

40 comments:

  1. Oh Carissa - you definitely have gone one better once again - this is very trendy- very cute for summer.

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  2. Wow! So cute and well made. Nice job!

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  3. Adorable!! This dress is fabulous! You should totally submit this to Refashionista for a Wannabe Wednesday outfit.

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  4. Uau... I like this... Thank you so much for teaching us how to do the flaps, the darts and the busts gathers!!!
    This goes to my How To List!
    kisses from Portugal!

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  5. GREAT job on this - you are so precise, and it shows in the final product. Thank you for the clear instructions/pictures as well. I always thought there would be a lot of work in doing something like this refashion from scratch, and it's true, but you make it seem doable, if only we take it one step at a time.

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    1. Thanks! Though It's easy to make things look easy in a blog post. You guys don't see the cumulative hours I probably spend staring at the garment trying to figure out how to accomplish the picture in my head.

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  6. Wow. That is incredible. I wish I had 1/100th of that kind of sewing skill!!! It turned out so great!

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  7. Congratulations! Really like those pockets and thanks for the tutorial.

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  8. Wow, this may be your best yet!

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  9. Your dress is waaaay better! The pin tucks at the bottom and the pockets put it in a league of its own.

    www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

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  10. This is amazing! I love the pleats at the bust, what a great idea for refashioning a thrift store find that may be too big in the chest area. I also love the bottom detail as well. Your blog is my favorite and I'm impressed by your mad pattern skills! Thanks for taking the time to share your projects and being so entertaining in the process!! Looking forward to your next one!

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! Glad I could inspire and amuse!

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  11. How did you get so good at pattern drafting!?!?!?!

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    1. Math is AWESOME!

      Yeah, I'm one of those people.

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  12. Very nice ! I love all what you do !

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  13. This is my favorite of your refashions! Lots of great details, done well.

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  14. Completely awesome job!! Love it.

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  15. holy refashion!!! I love this!! That first dress is so awful, but you turned it amazing. Love the pockets and front detail on the dress you made... great work. I'm linking up to skirt fixation this week too ;) Emily@nap-timecreations.com

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    1. Thanks, Emily! It was certainly a drastic change!

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  16. Carissa,
    What an amazing refashion! Thanks so much for linking up...we are honored! Be sure to come back Friday and vote in both the sew along and for your favorite contestant's refashion!

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  17. That is a MAJOR refashion! A total transformation. Really great job.

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    1. Thank you, Angela! Sometimes you just have to go big or go home!

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  18. Very cute. Great remake!! :)

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