Redesign Time: How to make a dress perfect for you!

Happy Fashion Friday, HowDoesShe gals!

I am beyond thrilled to re-introduce the fabulous Ashley from “www.mutzebyashley.blogspot.com ” who is here with another fabulous “how to” fashion post. Do you remember this one she did a few weeks ago? 5 Summer Lovin’ Skirts under $50! Amazing! Today she is sharing a simple trick that will have you digging through your closets for those ill-fitting clothes! Yay! Take it away, Ashley!

It’s easy to fall in love with that stunning dress when it’s hanging in your favorite clothing store. However, things don’t always go as planned when you bring it home. Please don’t tell me I’m the only person who buys a beautiful dress and doesn’t wear it because the fit is flawed.

For example, I got this dress from Mango about a year ago.  The plan was to layer a t-shirt under the dress because I like to wear a cap sleeve.  I was wrong.  The dress is way too elegant to wear a t-shirt and I can never seem to find the perfect shrug to wear over it.  Its time for plan “B”—take matters into my own hands with a simple redesign.

I learned how to sew in 4-H when I was eight years old but, for this project I needed a refresher course in sewing from my teacher (aka my mom).  As you can see from the pictures, the dress was too long, too low in the front and needed cap sleeves to complete the new look.  These necessary additions seemed impossible at first—but with just a little effort they were actually quite easy.

The first thing we did was try on the dress so we could get the perfect length and cap sleeve measurements.

Second we took the fabric we cut from the bottom of the dress and used it for the neckline and the cap sleeves.

…And there you have it!  It was so easy and quick.  Look how much better it looks without the t-shirt under it.  I LOVE IT!  Not only have I salvaged this fabulous dress, it was so much fun sewing with my mom.  I can’t believe I didn’t fix this dress the day I got it, and I can’t wait to wear it (but I will have to wait because my sister thought it looked so great she decided to wear it to a wedding).

(Me and my favorite teacher my mom (Deanna Sasser))

Here are some tips to help you redesign your not so perfect clothes:

1. Save scrap material.  I could have never made the sleeves or neckline for my dress if I had thrown away the extra material from the bottom of the dress.

1. If you can’t sew it yourself ask a family member or friend to help you.  It is a lot cheaper then going to a tailor.

1. Don’t be afraid of change.  I was nervous I would ruin the dress if I tried to fix it.  Now I wish I would have done it a long time ago.  It’s tailored perfectly to fit me.

1. Always sketch before you sew. Before I took my scissors to it, I found a notebook and sketched the dress as it looked before and how I wanted it to look after. This is a must—once you cut the dress, there is no going back.

So before you go out and buy another expensive dress go through your closet first. You never know what a small redesign might do to that beautiful dress that never quite fit.

What favorite item in your closet will you redesign?

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Thanks, Ashley! I am feeling totally inspired and revved up to revamp some of my old (and new…ahem) clothes! You can see more of Ashley by visiting her  blog: www.mutzebyashley.blogspot.com!

Bobbi

I live in a little place called Saskatchewan, Canada, and pride myself in the fact that I can spell it! I married my very best friend 14 years ago and am a mother to four adorable girls who keep me on my toes constantly. If I wasn’t busy enough, I'm a portrait photographer and avid scrapbooker!

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