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What to do with this dress....

So... I bought this dress on ebay (ended up being $2.00 because of a tear the vendor missed, so she refunded the amount to get the tear repaired; I've spent an additional $5 for the tear repair & $10 for the hem). It's a 90s does 50s, so not a true vintage which is why I'm more than happy to throw it out here for advice and suggestions.

I put it on, loved it! Barely fit over my petticoat, which was ok. By the time I got to work (1.5 miles, about 25 mins later), I disliked it. I ended up taking my petticoat off before starting my shift. By the end of my shift, I hated it. The straps continued to fall down, and it just wasn't working for me (nothing specific that I can think of, just no longer in love with it). So I thought I could do some alterations and mods and maybe change it up to where I would like it again. This is where I need your help. What would you do to this dress? How would you make it better? Here's the pics:

Ok, as you can see, it's over my petticoat, which is the fullness factor. There is smocking on the back of the bodice (right above the black tie backs). I really like the bodice itself - the double breasted buttons... pretty much the entire bodice minus the shoulder straps. There is a side zipper (hidden). My 1st thought was to take the skirt portion in to make it more of a pencil shape (my favorite; also there is a simple cotton "lining" (really, a smaller skirt double), take off the shoulder straps and then I would have a strapless pencil dress. Then my mind drifted into that not looking right - the bodice wasn't going to look right and be supportive (there's no boning or stiffening in it). SO ... My brain went to actually separating the two completely (yep, scissors!) and making a summer-like top out of the bodice and then a pencil skirt out of the bottom (there's not enough to make a full skirt, and I really like the material & it's pattern). HOWEVER... please keep in mind, I don't know how to do that. Any of it really... I do have some sewing skills, and have been LIGHTLY modifying my clothes in all different manner of ways since I was young. My thoughts on how to do this were to pin it to myself in order to create the alterations needed. My other thought was to find a pattern that matched my pencil skirt needs and use that. But I worry about not having enough fabric (a lining I'm not worried about - I can use other fabric for that), as well as not having a machine yet to use to put it together (and I am looking for an alterations shop that will also use patterns... Maybe one that can do the whole project).

Ok, so please... tell me your thoughts. I'd appreciate some input here - ideas, thoughts, how-to's, what not to do, whatever. I have this dress hanging up out of the way until I figure something out.

Thanks in advance DIY Dames!! Much appreciated!! xoxo Double O Jenn

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by cela hyatt on July 26, 2012 at 10:33am

I think the pattern on the fabric is awesome. I like the idea of making it a pencil dress, maybe instead of making it strapless do a halter top. That way you get rid of the straps you don't like but it still has straps to hold it up. Good luck and put up pics of the finished product ;)

Permalink Reply by Chrystal Allen on July 26, 2012 at 11:24am

Turn the skirt part into a pair of shorts and make a romper out of it! I can only DIY in my head though, so unfortunately I have nothing to offer in the way of how-to advice.

Permalink Reply by Katelyn Rodgers on August 3, 2012 at 5:09pm

I agree with all of you, I've been sewing for 10 years. totally possible. I'd turn it into a pencil skirt, black belt it, and make a halter strap. A seamstress would separate the top and skirt, take out the gather or pleats and make it fitted. The straps you might be able to conquer into a halter strap. youll need to combine the two to be long enough. :)

Permalink Reply by Desilu on August 8, 2012 at 12:17am

Thanks everyone for the advice. I was really leaning towards doing a pencil dress, but wasn't sure how to really accomodate what was in my head with reality (sometimes, that really sucks... i see beautiful results, but have no way of knowing the process to get there. *sigh*). I'll definitely post pics of the finished product, although it may take a while - I think I'm going to try to do something on my own before I take it to a seamstress. (And I have been wondering lately how to turn a cute and short dress into a romper... maybe we could brainstorm on that one!)

Permalink Reply by Claudia Delgado on August 24, 2012 at 2:30pm

This is a super-cute dress....I think I would just cut off the back-ties, and make a little black fabric belt (add a couple of little belt loops to hold it in place) with a vintage buckle (Ebay always has great ones out there...)...maybe even a red buckle - then you could add some red hairclips to your 'do, or some other small red accent, and you'll be looking 50's in no time....I think I also like it without the petticoat...it looks adorable!

Permalink Reply by Desilu on September 6, 2012 at 8:45pm

Update:

SO this is currently at the tailor's (Sorry Brandi - still no machine ;( )... and I think I'm going to have to find a new tailor. She just couldn't wrap her mind around the tapering or taking in the sides of the skirt... It's going to be taken in, but I don't know that it will be the image that I have in my mind. The shoulder and tie straps are getting removed, and the back taken in a bit to fit better up top without straps. I'll post a pic when I pick it up. I don't think it's going to be "finished yet" though.

As for the color options... yes, I'd love to add the color, but I originally bought this dress as a work option, where I can only do black and white (and limited options and patterns within that), so no color. I can wear this with a black cardi or bolero, and I'm hoping to pick up a black fabric belt at the PUG Yard Sale at the end of the month. I think maybe the bottom two buttons will be coming off, but I haven't decided about that yet... We'll see where it's at when I get it back from the tailor's. I don't think they are happy to do anything but basic and traditional alterations and repairs, so I get the vibe that she's seriously not happy with me (although her mother is the one doing the actual work). So I really think I'll be on the lookout for a new tailor. *sigh* not a fun task.

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