Welcome to my first installment of :

In keeping with my Dressmaker theme very second Tuesday of the month I will be featuring a project where I take something that I have bought for a song, or gotten for free, and turn it into something different–better?

You will be the judge!

Here is my first attempt:

I got this dress at a Church thrift store on 96th St. It cost a whopping $7.50

Below I am modeling the “BEFORE”. (excuse the panty line, no make-up and messy hair.)

I decided the dress looked too heavy with the sleeve. Besides the sleeve opening was very tight:

I also thought the hem was just a tad too long for me.

So, I began by chopping off the sleeves:

Then I clipped into the sleeve selvage in order to turn the leftover bit of sleeve under the arm hole and then whip stitched the whole thing closed. Easy

Next I turned the hem up one notch and whip stitched that as well:

Here is the finished “AFTER” Dress! I added a belt (99cents) and my own shoes.

Total cost: $7.50 for the dress and .99 cents for the belt to total $8.49

So, let me know what you think! Is it BETTER or WORSE?

Don’t be shy, I can take your criticism. (Believe me, I have botched a few things in my day.) Or perhaps you would have done something different? A cap sleeve? A mini? I know you frustrated designers are out there. I loved hearing your ideas for my Regency “Say Yes to the Dress” gown now is your chance to speak out.

I could have made a belt out of the leftover sleeve fabric, but I liked the metallic pop of the thrift one, so I used that. (Also, less work!)

I think without the sleeves this dress is more versatile:

Next month, January 13th, I will be doing something a bit more ambitious. I am going to take a 1960’s ish floor length velvet evening coat and turn it into a  1810ish Regency Redingote. (Points to anyone who knows why this particular garment is called a Redingote.)

Here is a teaser:

1800’s Redingote                           1960’s evening coat

Tune in on Tuesday the 13th of January to see the transformation!

And remember, The Dressmaker’s Duke is helping Dress for Success all this month. Buy a copy and a portion of the proceeds go to the charity!