Jun 27, 2011

Nautical Inspired Dress Refashion


I love blue and white together...so clean, crisp, and nautical!  This latest dress refashion was from a woman's blouse and a man's shirt.  I opted for a scoop neck, short sleeves gathered into a band, and an empire waist.  The blouse top is lightweight cotton,  the shirt bottom is a heavier, soft velour-type fabric.  I added a pop of color with my large red bag, red earrings, and red heels.

The front.


The side.


The back.


A close-up of the dress.  


I left both pockets on the shirts.  Partly for design, and partly because I was too lazy to pick them off!  Plus, whenever you remove the pockets, you can always see where it has been stitched.  With a printed shirt, you can sometimes get away with it.  On a solid shirt, its pretty obvious.  I cut the blouse just below the bustline, adding extra length for ease and seam allowance.  I cut my sleeves, gathered them into the band, and attached them to the bodice.  I cut the skirt as long as I could from the shirt.  I then stitched the side seams of the skirt to fit my hips, and added two darts in the back to fit the curve of my back.  I gathered the bodice and attached it to the skirt.  Since I was working with a man's shirt and a woman's blouse, the buttons were opposite.  So, I had to switch the buttons on the blouse and add new buttonholes.  The scoop neck was finished with bias tape turned to the inside and topstitched.


One more overall view.


This is where it all began...two 99¢ shirts from the thrift store!



 Happy sewing!

Linking to THESE great parties!

Featured on...


Boogieboard Cottage

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33 comments:

  1. This may be my favorite refashion yet! Awesome job! It looks really cute all on it's own but would look really nice with a belt, too. I love it!

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  2. By the way Mom, I'm really jealous of your back porch. :o) Can I hire you as my personal designer?

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  3. Wow! You are so incredibly talented! I'm following--I can't wait to see what else you come up with!
    --Jill
    http://jillmadeit.blogspot.com/

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  4. What an amazing repurposing project. If I could sew like that, all three males in this house wouldn't have any clothes left.

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  5. Wow! That turned out great! Very creative.

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  6. Love your dress! I can't believe you made it from two shirts!

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  7. you've got amazing talent, enjoy your creations!


    love~mongs
    mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

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  8. Wow!! I can't believe you turned two shirts into that great dress!! How fantastic to have this ability!

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  9. So cute! I totally just did almost this exact same thing, so funny! http://rolledupprettyandcutoffthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/06/holey-shirt-ghetto-dress-do-over.html
    I love this idea, it's so great using clothes we already have huh!? Found ya from Dittle Dattle, love your blog! Have a great day!
    Savannah

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  10. I love the look nautical is so summer inspired to me

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  11. This is just the best and amazing restyle ever.......!!!!! You are certainly creative. I hope I get inspired to do a shirt makeover myself. Most days, I spend more time thinking about what I am going to do, instead of just doing it.

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  12. unreal! that looks like one of those shabby apple dresses everyone is blogging about!

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  13. It does have a shabby apple quality about it! I love upcyling and you have done a great job. I love the name second chances... reminds me of grace!
    I am new to following your blog and would love a follow back if you have time!
    Come see me at www.cookieandclaire.blogspot.com

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  14. You look ADORABLE!
    Thank you so much for sharing your dress at the link party.

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  15. That is super cute! Great job! Thanks for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse party.

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  16. Hi Susan, I featured both you refashion and 4th of July posts on my Top Ten Fav Picks this week. I loved them both! Thank you so much for sharing them. Have a great weekend, Mary :O)

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  17. Wow, I am very impressed! What a wonderful nautical themed dress, thanks so much for sharing!

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  18. Oh my gosh, how pretty!! Thank you so much for linking up to "It's a Party"!

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  19. Another totally genious dress from you! I'm amazed at your skills and creativity!

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  20. Love this look! So great for the holiday weekend :)

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  21. Cute Red white and blue! I'm visiting over from funkyjunkinteriors. I'm hosting my first ever blog party and its all 4th of July-all Red, White, and Blue! I'd love for you to link up and share with me!

    http://notsosimplehousewife.blogspot.com/2011/07/4th-of-july-link-party.html

    Hope to see you over at my place soon!
    Kaitlin
    http://notsosimplehousewife.blogspot.com

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  22. Thank you for linking to Sew Woodsy last week! We hope you will join us again tomorrow!

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  23. This is so cute!! It makes me want to run to my nearest thrift store and pick up some shirts!

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  24. Wow! How thrifty and pretty! I love nautical too. Love how your dress turned out! Great eye to put the two together like that.

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  25. Wow... that is so cute! I haven't thought to use two button up shirts to make a dress... I have just been thinking of using one to make either a blouse or skirt. Great idea. I'm following now.

    Casey
    sewingandmusic.blogspot.com

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  26. An awesome refashion!!! I love the blue and white stripe with the dark blue.

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  27. This is so chic with the stripes - love it.

    I also want to add:
    I would be ever so grateful if you would help me build an awesome resource for dress refashions by sharing your favourite dress refashion tutorials here and your fab dress refashions here on Refashion Co-op link collection!

    xx Eddie

    Come on over and like Eddie's Room on Facebook for some crafty ideas and conversation. :-) Can't wait to meet you!

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  28. I came across your post via pintrest. This dress is beautiful! I'm curious, did you follow a pattern? I especially love the neckline and sleeves. They are perfect.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah! I didn't follow a pattern, most of it was done while draping it on my dress form. I would try it on throughout the process to be sure it was fitting the way I wanted it to.

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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