Put on your red shoes (and dance the blues)
In case you hadn’t guessed, this is going to be about Bowie.
Specifically, it’s about this outfit, from 1973. It’s made of vinyl and was designed by Kansai Yamamoto for the Aladdin Sane tour. I chose this as my starting point for Tempest Devyne’s Bowie Sewalong! Also, it has red shoes (for dancing the blues).
I’m making my version from… old T-shirts, what else?!
These T-shirts came from (L-R below) Deptford Salvation Army shop, £2; PDSA Bolton, £3.99; Scope Barking, £2.
To make my black and white Bowie-inspired dress, I had to make a pattern. I traced off my trusty jersey dress block and started sketching. First thing was to add a bit to the neckline so that would stick up. Then I drew on the rough position of the stripes. Because of the size of the T-shirts, I had to cut the dress into sections so that it could be pieced. I cut it horizontally around the bustline and waistline and made these lines coincide with the style lines/corners of the stripes.
After cutting it into a bazillion strips, I cut the pieces from the disco print T-shirt, not forgetting to leave a minimal 5mm seam allowance.
I had to play a bit fast and loose with the grainlines for some of the pieces. I was a bit short of material since I couldn’t use the part of the T-shirt with the print on it.
There was only just enough!
I cut some white strips to make the piping from the white T-shirt. I just cut 1.5cm strips perpendicular to the grain with a ruler and rotary cutter.
My original idea was to use the overlocker for this project, but it just ate the pieces. After a frustrating few hours unpicking overlocked seams (NOT fun), I gave up and used the zig zag stitch on my machine instead. It turned out to be a lot easier to control, even with the tiniest pieces, and it didn’t eat my work. That said, it was still quite tricky to get the white piping completely even. I ended up stretching out the white strips before folding them to try and maintain a bit of consistency.
Here is the top section pieced together.
This is what the inside looked like… not exactly perfect ;-)
These are the pieces for the middle section. Interesting fact: when you cut thin strips of jersey in the direction of the grain, it rolls up. A lot.
Here are a few more work in progress shots. The plain black one is the back of the dress – cut from the third T-shirt. That was pieced as well, though not into quite as many pieces.
And the finished product:
The question is will I actually wear this? Possibly only at Halloween (it has a cobwebby vibe to it). I could possibly cut the waist seam to make a skirt and top, which would make it a little less overpowering. What do you think?
Charity Shop Chic 
Absolutely fab! I would wear it! It’s great!
Thank you :)
Oh I love it I would totally wear it as it is! Good work
Thank you for commenting!
You’re too strong … I love more more
Er… thanks?
I LOVE it!! I would wear it to theatre productions, even! Do not SAVE it for something special! You look great!
Thank you Diane – I think I needed a bit of encouragement to wear this one…
Of course you must wear it!!!!!
Hi Nick, I will wear it soon, I promise! x
Wear it to a rock concert!
And you carry it off very well. Pair it with a black leather jacket
Thanks Cathy – I just need to acquire a leather jacket now!
I’m on it! :)
Looks great, kind of has a wood grain vibe to it too, you should def wear it out!
Thanks Sandy, you’re right, it has a slight hint of wood grain about it…
I think you owe it to the product of your hard work to wear it out at least once. I am in awe of your immense talent. :)
I will try Caroline! Just need to come up with an outfit that does it justice! I’ll keep you posted!
AWSOMW!
THANKD! :)
It looks like a superhero dress. You could be “Refashioning Woman!”
HAHAHAHA… Refashion Girl strikes again! And my Bat-signal is a pair of scissors… to the Refashion-mobile!!
Maybe add a red belt to break it up a little? You should definitely wear it out at least once!
I’ll have a look for a red belt. It would hide the non-matching stripes at the waist nicely :)
Graphic print patterns are huge this year! Wear it with mint shoes, and handbag, and you’ll be the envy on high street!
Thanks so much for the comment, Dena! Yeah, black and white seems to be a ‘thing’ at the moment… maybe I can get away with it ;-)
That is a fun dress! Best use of t-shirts I’ve seen.
Why thank you :)
That is a fun dress. Best use of a t-shirt I’ve seen!
Thanks again :)
Sally, that is amazing. You are so talented. Are you self taught? Or did you go to fashion school
Mary
Thanks for the comment Mary, I’m totally self taught.
I actually really, really like it. And I am hella impressed! It’s like a work of art.
Thanks Amy, glad you liked it! I think this one fits more into the category of ‘art’ than ‘fashion’…
I’m with you. I don’t think I would wear it, not to say that it is not ridiculously cool, but I think it would be too much. I think it would be a little less overpowering if the bottom was replaced with a solid colour (Black? Red?). But still the same, just shows how incredibly talented you are!
Yes I’m struggling to imagine how this would look as part of an outfit. I’ll give it some more thought and will try to come up with something.
Blimey. THAT IS AMAZING! I’m speechless…well almost. I looked at creating this look just with striped fabric….I am constantly amazed and thrilled at how your brain works, to look at 3 t-shirts and see them become that dress!! You are totally awesome. And look stunning in the dress….which you really should wear, life is too short to reserve beauties like this for Halloween or Sunday best, who knows what the future holds….you should wear it and be prepared for all the admiration at your skills. Yes, that’s me speechless ;) wow!
Well THANK YOU for running the sewalong and cheering everyone along towards the end! It was a great idea and I’m so happy that I could participate. It’s true, my brain seemingly works in a different way… I guess that’s what makes it interesting ;-) I have got my thinking cap on as to how I will style and wear this for a night out soon. Don’t worry; there will be pics! Thanks again!
Great dress! It looks terrific on you, so definitely wear it on non-Hallowe’en evenings. With the red shoes, of course. And maybe a wide black belt and some dramatic earrings?
Thanks for the comment – yes, any future outfits will definitely involve red shoes!
Love it. So much skill!
Thank you!
Do you have a wide red belt? That might be cool. Otherwise, yeah, it is sort of costumey. But your skills (and imagination) are nothing short of incredible. :)
Yeah perhaps another pop of red somewhere in the outfit? I’m working on it. Thanks for commenting.
Rock it just as it is! It looks fabulous and hot! And I don’t believe anything is “too much” as long as you wear it with confidence.
Haha thanks! :) I’m not sure I have the confidence required to rock this as-is though!
I am in awe of your talent and creativity! Do not save this for Halloween, wear it in the clubs as is or with a suit jacket for day to day wear. It’s such a fun design, it will definitely have heads turning! Way to go!
Thank you for the kind comment – yes I think this will definitely turn heads, I want to make sure it’s for the right reasons though!
That is inspiring and fabulous. Will you really wear it? I think you should definitely try your best!!!
Yes, I’ll try my best… I’ll have to come up with a suitable outfit though :)
You should absolutely wear this! It looks so great on you! Please post photos when you have worn it:-)
Tack Helle, yes don’t worry, when I wear this out there WILL be photos :)
Are you kidding, you HAVE to wear this, you look absolutely amazing.
Thank you for the kind comment! :)
It’s cute but the circle on the lower half of the dress creates an obscene image. That would be my only reservation. Awesome creation!
I’m afraid I had that thought too!
I just don’t see it I’m afraid!
Really?! I guess my mind just doesn’t work that way because I don’t see it at all.
You did a jaw-dropping job! Frankly, I think you can wear the dress on non-Halloween occasions since you look fantastic in the dress.. Congrats on a project well done!
Thank you so much, I am so happy you liked the dress. I am going to try to wear it soon!
Amazing! I have nothing else to say :)
Thank you :)
AWESOME!
THANKS! :)
Your projects are so involved! I don’t think I’d have the patience to follow through on half the things you make. Great dress. :)
Yeah this one was a lot of work… seems like it was a hit though! :) Thanks for the comment!
Ahhh! Found your blog on Tempest’s and had to drop by to see what you made for Bowiesewalong. SO FABULOUS!! I love it and love it even more that you combined old, somewhat questionably fashionable T-shirts to make this beautifully Bowie dress! Well done! I will have my Bowie make up and running on the blog tomorrow (hopefully). Nothing like cutting it down to the wire. :)
Such a sweet comment, thank you! Yes, I was pretty close to the deadline with this, glad to get it finished though! :)
Following your blog now, as well, to see what else you come up with!
Good stuff! (Next overly ambitious recycling project coming soon)
Oh, I think your blog ate my first comment. Wanted to tell you that I found your blog over on Tempest’s and came over to see your Bowie make. And, it is so fantastic!!! I absolutely love it! And love that you made it out of, somewhat questionably fashionable, T-shirts! A great dress that you should absolutely wear! It does not look Hallowe’een-y at all, but very stylish, in my opinion. I should have my Bowie make up and running on the blog tomorrow, hopefully. Nothing like cutting it down to the wire!
It didn’t eat it, I think it was just held back for approval. I really should turn that off…
I think sometimes it just ‘freezes’. Happens on my blog, too, people will leave 2 comments sometimes, but actually I got both comments. Oh well. Now, you have the information twice! :)
Yes, two for the price of one! ;-)
I love this on you – definitely wear it. It would be at home at a bar, at a party, or at an “arty” event where other artistic people will appreciate your vision. A red belt would not go amiss, although it is stunning just on its own.
Thanks Jenny, I think you’re right, this is more ‘art’ than ‘fashion’ so it would have to be an appropriate event. I’ll see what I can come up with.
Shared it on my blog. Can’t believe it’s just from t-shirts!
Thanks Agy! :)
This creation is brilliant! Your skill and creativity is amazing. I have just added learning to sew on my must do list. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much Andrea. That’s great that you want to take up sewing. It’s a fantastic hobby and will give you years of pleasure. There are some great resources out there in sewing-blogland. Have fun!
My goodness that is awesome. My favourite out of all your projects!
Really? I’m happy you like it! Thanks!
Fantastic work (again). Very inventive to use old t-shirts. Congrats.
Well it had to be stretchy and that’s what I had to hand ;-) Thanks for your support, Kim.
Brilliant interpretation of Bowie’s outfit – you should send him a photo of your outfit :-)
Haha, thanks! Maybe I’ll tweet it to him or something.
Firstly, I’ve viewed ALL your posts, you’re amazing! As a fashion graduate (but no longer in industry) I’m totally in awe of what you do! Well done, keep it up, I will be checking in on you (I NEVER do blogs). I suspect it isn’t something you do for a day job (it should be), and if I ever get my design consortium dream into action I’d be banging on your door! Lastly, I’m shit at button holes too ! Well done :)))))
Hi Xuxa, thank you for the supportive comment. This is not my day job but I wish it could be! :)
Wear it! Dooo it! It’s amazing.
Thanks Naomi, I will! :)
Holy Moley that’s amazing!! I would TOTALLY wear this to work : ) I LOVE the t-shirt remake, and now I will spend the rest of my morning reading through older posts.
Thanks for the comment Loran, so glad you liked this dress. I will definitely wear this dress, just need to come up with the right outfit and event!
OMG this is truly a work of art!!!!
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
You are so awesome! Have been reading your blog for a while and you are a genius!!
I’m not sure I would go that far ;-)
There are some great projects coming up shortly so stay tuned! Thanks Di, how kind of you to leave a comment.
This is amazing, I follow a few refashion blogs and you are my top favourite. I wish my brain would work like yours when sewing. I am a very basic sewist and I really enjoy seeing the process to your end product. Love it! I agree with the others wear with a red belt.
Thanks so much Sandra. You don’t have to be an expert sewist to be a refashionista – sometimes small changes can make a big impact! Thanks for reading!
Goodness! This is just too awesome! What a fun and creative dress that is versatile too! Bravo!!
Thanks so much, really happy you liked it :)
What do you mean halloween? I think you did a great job. You can wear it any time. I would.
Hi Doris, I am still not sure about this one! Maybe I should save it for winter…
Wear it!!!! It is gorgeous and you look fantastic in it. I love the Bowie inspiration, and you really pulled it off.
You are my favorite refashioner – the very best in the world! You always amaze me.
Thanks for the supportive comment!
Would it be bad to suggest chopping it just above the waist, and adding a striped peplum to that? Then just put a wide exposed elastic waistband on the skirt. Two piece dress… maybe?
Great suggestion, but sadly this one has already gone to the great recycling bin in the sky!
You are really TALENTED designer and seamstress!