Apr 22, 2014

Tickled Pink!


Today's "Retro Runway" dress was inspired by the following:


I really liked the piped waistband of the above dresses.  And, I also liked the fancy detail on the bodice of the dress below.  So, I attempted to merge the two ideas together and create something that was "inspired by" but not exactly a "copy of."


I picked up this pink dress for free at a clothing exchange a while back.  I really liked the soft pink checks, and knew exactly what I wanted to do with the embroidered detailing.  The blouse was purchased at a thrift store for a couple of dollars.

  

And, after merging the two together, this is the result...


The waistband was cut from the embroidered bodice and trimmed with self-made piping from the excess dress fabric.


The necklace just happened to be in my stash of costume jewelry and matches perfectly!  The purse was purchased from Goodwill for $4.99.  It was a little splurge on my part, but I'm lovin' the floral print for springtime.


I also deconstructed a full petticoat (discarding the heavy layers of netting) and used the top layer as a slip to give a little fullness under the skirt.


Yes, you could say that I'm tickled pink with the outcome of this refashion!


Continue on if you would like to see a brief tutorial of the steps taken.


The blouse already had a seam dividing the bodice from the rest of the blouse.  I picked that seam apart and then made a cut up the back.


The waistband was strips cut from the embroidered dress bodice.  Once these were pieced together, piping was added to the top and bottom edges.


The bottom edge of the blouse bodice was stitched with a basting stitch and then attached to the waistband, placing the extra ease at the bustline.  The skirt was shortened to the correct length, basted across the top edge, gathered and attached to the waistband.


To finish the inside, I stitched lining fabric to the inside of the waistband.


I finished the dress with an invisible zipper in the back.  I also machine-hemmed the bottom edge of the skirt and added a hook and eye at the neckline.

I like to link to these great parties!

22 comments:

  1. Great dress lovely and beautiful .
    mirjam

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  2. I love it ! It's a great dress !

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  3. Super cute! I love the detail on the waistband!

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    1. Thanks Kathy! The waistband is my favorite part also...I'm just glad that I didn't have to do all that embroidery by hand!

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  4. Wow, your dress is beautiful! It looks great on you!

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  5. DAH-LING! Love the piping and how you used the embroidered bodice for the waistband!
    You. Are. So. Clever!!!
    You've inspired me to use piping! I've had a few ideas floating around in my head and you were just the inspiration I needed!
    Looks like spring is in full bloom over on the west side. :)
    Hope you are doing well!
    Beth

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    1. Thanks Beth for your enthusiastic comments! (I'm blushing!) I'm glad you've been inspired and can't wait to see what wonderful and creative things you do with piping! And, yes, spring is in full bloom over here. I have to give credit to my neighbor who has a beautiful pink tree in his front yard that just happened to end up in my photo shoot!

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  6. I just love what inspired you and what you were able to accomplish. I'm trying to talk darling husband into letting me buy a dress form as refitting garments without it just seems like too daunting a task. But I can't wait to accomplish this.

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    1. Oh I do hope you can get a dress form! I've sewn for years and only recently purchased one. I love it! I couldn't decide between adjustable and non adjustable. I settled on the non adjustable because I liked the vintage look of it. Although, the adjustable feature would have been nice to make it replicate my exact measurements. I still try garments on as I go, but the dress form makes the whole process easier. Good luck in persuading your husband!

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  7. It's the thoughtful little details that make this dress so fun! Thanks for linking up to Challenge Create: Adult Edition! I've got some piping I need to Destash too!

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  8. Clever idea to use the embroidered section as the waistband and then to add the piping. White is the perfect contrast with the pink. An awesome refashion.

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  9. The dress looks pretty only one lady wears... Nantucket Bucket Hat

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  10. This is such a pretty dress, Susan; great for spring and so feminine. Love the photo of you and the quilt - the colours are beautiful!

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  11. Thanks! I've always had a fondness for this vintage quilt. My grandmother loved garage sales and thrift stores, which is where she probably picked up the quilt many years ago. I inherited the quilt and my love of thrifting from her!

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  12. Gorgeous! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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