Mar 31, 2013

All Zipped Up!

A while back I picked up this maternity jumper at a thrift shop for a couple of bucks.  Now, let me just say that this grandma is no way in need of maternity clothes!  The only babies I am waiting for now are more grandbabies (hint, hint to my married kids!)  But, I did like the black and white fabric and knew I could take in the sides.  


The first thing I did was to cut off the ties.  At first I thought I would add an invisible zipper to the side seam so I could still get the dress on and off.  But, it was late at night and no invisible zipper on hand.  I did, however have a long, black separating zipper in my stash.  So, plan B...an exposed zipper down the back.  To allow for this, I made one cut all the way up the center of the back.  I then serged the edges.  


Next, I just laid the zipper on top of the serged edges and topstitched in place, folding and stitching the top of the zipper to the inside.  The zipper wasn't long enough to reach the bottom of the hem, but this just allowed for a vent in the back...nice how things have a way of working out!  I just turned under the edges of the vent and topstitched in place.



The jumper next went onto my dress form to pin to size.  Then it was just a matter of stitching up the new side seams, making sure to match up the lines of the fabric.


I didn't care much for the look at the bottom of the zipper so I added a small placket with two decorative buttons.  All in all, pretty simple!






I like to link to these great parties!

10 comments:

  1. So cute Sue! I too, love black and white. The exposed zipper was a great choice to add style and they're quite the fashion right now!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's fantastic! I see those types of jumpers all the time in the local thrift shops (I live in a very Mormon town, so there is a lot of maternity goin' on), but *never* thought to do that. Great job!

    -Heather, The Real Leopardstripes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! LOL about the "maternity goin' on"!! You should have no problem finding a jumper to refashion!

      Delete
  3. Great refashioning idea! Very cute, and I also love the exposed zipper. P.S. I can't believe you're a grandma, you look amazing!

    www.domesticblisssquared.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A double thanks to you!! I have five grandchildren and am very anxious to have more...although, I think my husband is more anxious than me!

      Delete
  4. A very easy, but very effective refashion!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow this is amazing. The zip gives so much class to the dress. I love it

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very fun way to recreate your own maternity wear!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate the feedback and always look forward to reading what you have to say! Susan