Valentine's Day is approaching. Every year I like to buy a new dress for the occasion. This year I fell in love with this Modcloth one. I even very nearly bought it. But when it came time to plug in my credit card number I just couldn't do it. It's one thing to bookmark a dress, it's another to drain your bank account for one.
It looked so simple I thought it would be irresponsible of me not to at least try to recreate it before buying it. However, I also had my heart set on doing another refashion frock.
So I decided to kill two birds with one stone and buy a red dress at the Salvation Army to turn into my Modcloth vision. I bought this one for $2.50 in the perfect lipstick red that I was looking for.
Basically I cut the bottom half away from the bodice and turned it around so that the front became the back. I cut the 'new' bodice so that the sleeves and body were one piece, like the Modcloth version.
I then sewed the rest of the skirt onto the bodice in gathers. I believe the Modcloth version used tiny pleats but unfortunately, I didn't have quite enough fabric to do that.
In the end, I think my version came pretty close. And seeing as I had a zipper on hand the entire dress only cost $2.50 rather than $99 plus shipping. What a 'cherry' of a deal.
I imagined wearing this dress on a first Valentine's Day Date. It had a very girl next door look to it. Not exactly 'sexy' but more 'flirty'.
Unfortunately, I don't think I could wear this dress out to a long dinner. As with my other two girls, I am breastfeeding Eloise, which makes all my clothes WAY to small. In the photos, to lessen my bustline, I'm wearing a SUPER bra. As in 'super' painful.
I can only stand to wear it for 10 minutes at a time. I can't breath, my shoulders ache and my torso develops deep red creases, but gosh, does it make my chest look much better than reality.
As of now, I don't even know if I will have a reason to wear a Valentine's dress. It will be quite difficult to do anything outside of the house for a couple months.
The baby is so tiny I can't imagine leaving her with anyone other than Brian. Her body is so small she doesn't fit into anything but Carter's newborn onsies. I hesitate to put a blanket over her for fear it will smother her.
Perhaps we'll have to book our reservations at a more child-friendly establishment. Something between Tavern on the Green and Chuck'e'Cheese.
Since I'm not down to my pre-baby weight this dress is made to fit a slightly larger size than my previous dresses. I'd say it would fit an 8-10.
Also, I received a couple emails about winners. I know I have been horribly behind. I will try to have them up by tomorrow.
Many of you said that you would like to enter more giveaways, but have various issues with linking. Of course, I want anyone that is interested in entering a giveaway to be able to do so.
Therefore, from now on, giveaways can be entered in three ways:
1) By linking (to your blog, facebook, myspace, or any other site)
2) By leaving a comment without a link or
3) By linking and leaving a comment (this will be worth 2 entries which will better your chances of winning). Find more info under the FAQ page.
If you are leaving a link just use the 'create a link' at the bottom of this post or simply creating a post on your blog and including this link.
If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.
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«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 277 of 277 Newer› Newest»What a BEAUTIFUL dress. You amaze me! Thanks for letting us win something that you have put so much work into. :o)
This is fabulous! Red is my signature color so I really hope I win!
wow! i didnt know something that fabulous was possible from a dowdy frock!
This dress is BEAUTIFUL! It's amazing what you were able to do to tranform it into what it is now.
Wow, I cannot believe that is the same dress. You are completely amazing!!! I would LOVE to win :) Linking to facebook now!
roses are red, violets are blue, this dress is dreamy, and your sewing skills are too!
such an amazing talent you have. thanks for sharing your ideas and fashions!
I know you aren't delighted to be not back to pre-baby weight---which let me tell you: you look amazing!---anyway, I am delighted to see a dress I could actually fit!!!
SERIOUSLY talented!
This is so darling! My sister would fit perfectly.
your projects are such an inspiration--thank you for posting about them.
I've linked to the contest here:
http://beyondthecurtains.blogspot.com/2010/02/alterations.html
Oh my gosh, this dress is fabulous, I am in awe of your talent. It's so stunning, and just perfect for Valentine's Day.
FAB-U-LOUS I adore all of your refashion stuff! wonderful! onepinkpoppy(at)gmail(dot)com
Great job, who would have thought that dress could come from the before version?
Beautiful! Finally one in my size!! LOL
ohhh soo pretty, I'd love to win this :) you are a fantastic seamstress, I'd love to be able to look at something and recreate it one day!
What a transformation! The final product is so lovely, especially the bow!
so beautiful...
I love this dress!
Wow this is awesome. And it looks almost just like the Modcloth one! I love it, pick meeeee!!
Love it! Linked as well.
You are so talented!
the dress turned out beautifully!
This is so lovely. I definitely need a pick me up. Oh, pretty please.
That dress is AMAZING. Even more so considering how it started out. It's adorable. And hooray for breastfeeding! ;) You are a powerhouse - nursing AND sewing AND blogging AND caring for your other girls.
it's wonderful!
I love this dress and I posted it on facebook!
I like your version better than the Modcloth one. And it might actually fit me! So I'd love to win it.
YES PLEASE! I posted a link on my blog
itssiplelove.blogspot.com
Much love
Rachael.
Oh my goodness, I can't believe you MADE this. And that you're giving it away! I'd love to wear it.
That is the most charming dress. I love it!
I love this dress, great refashion!
I also blogged:
http://sugarrosies.blogspot.com/2010/02/5-great-giveaways-29.html
shou.milk@gmail.com
This is beautiful! The perfect color of red. I could never envision such a cute, flattering dress coming from that ugly muumuu!
Its stunning! How do you do it?
Wow, I actually think that your version is much better than the original! Having seen your photos, I was ever so slightly disappointed after clicking on the link to your inspiration....
I just hope it's still possible to win although Valentine's Day is already over - I would so much love wearing this dress!
lucyinthesky1 [AT] gmx [DOT] de
Not sure if this is closed - but I think this dress would fit me. It is adorable!!
I wish I had your skills!
Is the dress being done as a giveaway? It seemed like it was implied but then I am not sure! But most people seem to think it is! When does this close?
Oh, how I would LOVE to win this! I have been losing a ton of weight- almost 60 pounds and I think I might just fit into this perfectly!It would be so wonderful to win!
Here is my link: http://eheizerphotography.blogspot.com
Oh my, you have outdone yourself!! I simply adore this. More than anything, I want to be able to make one, 'cause it's so unlikely that I'll win...
I wish you lived in my city so you could teach me more about making my own patterns. There are hardly any internet resources! I've never liked using patterns as much as original/altered peices, but I'm still quite a beginner and need help.
Incredible re-make! You are a very talented seamstress!
Is it too late to enter?
Blessings & Aloha!
the outcome is great! it really looks like the Modcloth dress
Lovely! I'd love to win it.
April
Stunning... what a gorgeous creation. Well done!!!
Gorgeous! Linked: http://bunnymoney9.blogspot.com/2010/02/cherry-pop-refashion-frock-grosgrain.html
You are amazing. You made this awesome dress from the this one costed 2,5$. It's just fantastic!
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!Really gorgeous!!!
Wow, this dress is so cute! You did a wonderful job. =) I would love to enter! I posted about it on my blog via the "Create a Link" button on your post.
Thanks for the chance to enter!!
Love and blessings,
Shannon
it is beautiful!!!!
i would like to participate, but I am Spanish...i do not know if that is a problem..
gelenajl@gmail.com
I love it! The red dress is perfect!
You're so talented. I love it!
Super cute! I'm inspired.. and envious! Would love this for springtime.
Wow! I echo the previous statements when I say, I envy your seamstress skills. That is amazing!
Hi,
this dress is just great and in red, which is my favourite color for clothes.
i posted a link to this post on facebook, i hope you can find it.
Why do I never see that those ugly fat tent-like things could be such a beautiful dress? Why wouldn't I get such a dress out of it? this is pure envy - but still: that dress is cute!
If I could make clothes like you'd, I'd "steal" all my ideas from dresses I find online. I just love when you refashion frocks. Thanks for sharing this - and how lucky to find something so perfect at the thrift store!
What a beautiful dress!!
What a beautiful dress!!
I wanna wanna wanna win that red dress! You are amazing, again!
great dress makeover
i love it
and i blogged about your giveaway
WOW! Your work is just amazing! Please count me in...
wow, that is some makeover!
Great dress. Fingers crossed.
Seriously ridiculous!! I love love love this dress - from the color to the style. What talent!!
If I win this dress, I will wear it EVERYDAY...
Seriously amazing! Looks almost just like the original! I got to see your blue striped maternity dress in person. Very cool!
I would *love* to win this dress! Pretty Red!
Here is the "link with comment!"
http://one-beloved.blogspot.com/2010/03/grosgrain-shabby-apple-shakespeare.html
..SO PRETTY!
~Lucia
I linked to my fb page... man would I love to win this! Cute Cute Cute!!
I really love this dress. I can't believe how you transformed the original.
I love this dress. Is it already gone? And by the way, I honestly think your redo looks as good as if not better than the one for $99Crazy!
Such a cute dress, pretty color! I blogged http://momcontests.blogspot.com/2010/03/cherry-pop-refashion-frock-grosgrain.html
Everything about this dress is so amazing!!!
http://sunshinedawn80.blogspot.com/2010/03/cherry-pop-refashion-frock-grosgrain.html
that before and after is mind-boggling! can't wait to see if i win!
This is lovely I hope I win!
and I Posted it on my blog:
zoonyszippers.blogspot.com
So cute!
Oh... so gorgeous dress, I like it very much!
Oh my god, someone was sensitive, quote: "Anonymous said...
It's horrifying that you'd refer to an 8/10 as a "larger size".
February 8, 2010 5:34 PM"
How can - quote again - "a larger size than my normal size" be horrifying when it's simply put there as information on the size of a dress in a giveaway? Larger is not an offensive word and does not equal "fat".
I'm sorry I feel the need to write this but I get really scared when certain words become forbidden since they offend people who read them in an insanely wrong way.
Enough of that, it's an amazing dress, it's so pretty! I like your version better than the original one. I'm sure it made someone really happy!
Hi Kathleen,
I'm one of the Co-Editors of Refashion Co-op (http://refashionco-op.blogspot.com/), and we'd love to showcase this refashion for our current Dress Refashion Challenge, "Around the World in 80 Dresses." Would you be willing to let us use one of these photos in an "ideas/inspiration" post? We would credit you, of course, and link back to this post, and I think that your dress would be a really inspiring project to showcase.
Please let me know if you would be OK with this. Thanks!
Jessica
snowmanscraps // gmail
this dress is so beautiful! i tried making my own clothes once... not my talent haha
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