05/08/2012

Double your money

This dress was part of my huge haul from Thrift Town in San Francisco. I paid $7.99. I managed to squeeze two projects out of it, so I certainly feel like I got my money’s worth from this one!

What a fantastic print! The colours are really vivid in real life. The dress has a border print around the bottom and the green section down the front left is the only one – the back is all beige. The sewing inside is pretty basic, possibly even home made, though the seams are overlocked.

First thing I did was take a deep breath and cut it in half. It hurt, but I knew it had to be done.

Tackling the top half, I removed the pocket, trimmed the excess from the side seams and sleeves and overlocked. I also created a new hem and gave it a good press.

Below you can see what the buttonholes were like – a diamond of straight stitch with a rough hole in the middle!

I gave them some attention. Both buttons were hanging off so I dealt with those too.

The bottom half was going to become a really quick skirt. I measured some elastic by holding it against my waist and sewing the ends shut.

Then I took the bottom half of the dress…

…and, stretching the elastic while sewing, joined the two together at the waist with my overlocker. I recommend pinning the elastic at four or eight strategic points around the waist so you don’t end up with uneven stretching.

Here’s the quick skirt on the dummy.

And here’s how both pieces look on:

32 comments

05/08/2012 - 10:54 am erica @ recycled fashion

Such a beautiful fabric, and.always good to be able to get two garments out of one! Great thrift find

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- 05/08/2012 - 10:55 am charityshopchic
  
  I totally fell in love with this in the shop! And now I can wear it twice as often as if I kept it as a dress :)
  
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05/08/2012 - 10:57 am lonichol

Great job – what app/camera effect did you use for the after picture of the skirt if you don’t mind me asking?
Really like your blog =D

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- 05/08/2012 - 11:01 am charityshopchic
  
  Thank you!
  For this one I used Pixlr-o-matic. http://pixlr.com/o-matic/
  The effect is called ‘Stop’. Have fun!
  
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  - 05/08/2012 - 12:59 pm lonichol
    
    Thanks!
    
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    - 05/08/2012 - 1:05 pm charityshopchic
      
      You’re welcome :)
      
      Reply
05/08/2012 - 11:20 am mancunianvintage

What a lovely print – and cracking job!

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- 05/08/2012 - 1:05 pm charityshopchic
  
  Aw, thank you!
  
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05/08/2012 - 12:04 pm Pattie McIntyre

You are so creative…..and frugal! Kudos!

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- 05/08/2012 - 12:09 pm charityshopchic
  
  Ha, thanks for the Kudos, Pattie! It’s more about being creative than being frugal for me, but I’m happy that I can make my wardrobe more interesting for a few quid and help charities at the same time.
  
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05/08/2012 - 12:28 pm ReStitch Me

Very nice! :-) Love the fabric!

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- 05/08/2012 - 1:06 pm charityshopchic
  
  Thank you! I love it too. I think these pieces are going to get a lot of wear!
  
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05/08/2012 - 1:48 pm chicenvelopements

Really cute! Love how you styled the skirt with the black.
Beth

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- 05/08/2012 - 1:52 pm charityshopchic
  
  Thanks Beth, I have more ideas on how to style this in a more interesting way, but wanted the skirt/top to be the stars of these photos so paired them with neutrals…
  
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05/08/2012 - 3:17 pm BeingZhenya

I love love love the skirt and the top is amazing too, but maybe wear it with dark skinny jeans and not khakis? sorry if i am being too bossy :) xo

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- 05/08/2012 - 5:39 pm charityshopchic
  
  Hi, I’m planning to wear it with everything :)
  
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05/08/2012 - 10:26 pm cathynd95

Great job!!!

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- 07/08/2012 - 4:57 pm charityshopchic
  
  Thanks!
  
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06/08/2012 - 2:23 am Bonnie MS

How cute! Both the skirt and top are super cute and not as over the top print as the dress was pushing :) Great refashions!
Bonnie MS
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RidingTheBonnieWay
ridingthebonnieway.blogspot.com

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- 07/08/2012 - 4:57 pm charityshopchic
  
  Thank you – I agree they work much better as separates. I can always recreate the look of the original by wearing both at once ;-)
  
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06/08/2012 - 5:22 pm dramaqueenseams

Too cute! Love the transformations…

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- 07/08/2012 - 4:58 pm charityshopchic
  
  Thank you :)
  
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09/08/2012 - 2:42 am Anna Keeton

Great job on both of the new garments. The original dress was quite a score for volume of fabric.

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- 09/08/2012 - 9:44 am charityshopchic
  
  Yeah it was massive! Such a great print too!
  
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20/08/2012 - 11:45 pm Danielle

Hi there! I love your all your Refashions! I blog at Blissful and Domestic. I just started a Refashion Blogger Link List. I would love for you to link up your blog. Thanks so much!

Danielle @ Blissful and Domestic
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/p/re-fashion-bloggers.html

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- 21/08/2012 - 12:59 pm charityshopchic
  
  Will do!
  
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22/08/2012 - 5:49 pm megthegrand

OH! I just love the colors and the print – too fabulous. And you got two great looking pieces out of it? That’s even better!!

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- 22/08/2012 - 10:50 pm charityshopchic
  
  I love it too! This way, I can wear this print twice as often ;-)
  
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16/02/2013 - 4:02 pm Ecleticmom

Like your blog very much. Lovely Batik Peranakan (you’ll find more in Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore)

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- 17/02/2013 - 5:08 pm charityshopchic
  
  Thank you very much, glad you are enjoying reading! I actually don’t know anything about this fabric, I had it down as African rather than Asian, but will investigate Batik peranakan, thanks!
  
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29/07/2021 - 3:00 pm bubbieone

absolutely great use of the dress.

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29/07/2021 - 3:01 pm bubbieone

Sch a. beautiful use of an otherwise unwanted dress.

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