I found this 1970's formal in a thrift store. It had this shiny silver top and polyester plaid knit skirt and jacket. The top was too tight, and I can't imagine wearing it anywhere anyway. It was floor length. The jacket wouldn't close and was long sleeve. So I decided to modernize it a bit. I separated the top from the skirt, sewed a zipper in the back, shortened the length to just above the knee. I shortened the sleeves on the jacket, and took out the bust gathers so it would close. And voila, there you have it, a new outfit for me. Hope you like it!
The jacket was too small. It would not close all of the way. There was a four-inch gap. So I unpicked the band at the bottom and released the bust gathers. Then I sewed the band back on. And now I am able to close it all of the way and tie it.
I cut off part of the sleeves and hemmed them to make them shorter.
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Nice refashioning! I love the skirt--beautiful fabric! I can see something fun with it!
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge improvement on that dress!
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done.
ReplyDeletePlaid dress with shiny top. UGH. I can't believe that anything that horrible was allowed even in the 1970's. I wouldn't have been caught d**d in it. lol
As to the flowered skirt, maybe just shortening it would make it look modern. Lately,I've seen quite a few similar skirts in stores.
Really cute, nice work! How's the fit of the flowered skirt? If it's big in the waist, you could hike it up, and add a solid knit halter bodice for a maxi-dress (which is still very popular)?
ReplyDeleteThat looks fantastic! It looks very modern and stylish - I would have never guessed its humble beginnings.
ReplyDeleteI have my own homeschooling wall-o-books, but I'm drooling over yours. I was just at a friend's today and saw her huge collection of Landmark books and was doing the same. Do you do that?
Very nice work. It shows that there is a classic underlying some of the most unlikely garments. I love the suit.
ReplyDeleteGreat refashion! Nice job. I love that orange skirt! Also, Nora Jones rocks!
ReplyDeleteThat looks really nice on you! I would never have thought it could be remade into something so stylish.
ReplyDeleteThe skirt is pretty. If the waist could be let out, it'd be a great bottom for a sun dress. maybe add a solid bodice. Great job on the refashioning of the thrift store outfit. It was hedious before! LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving me a lovely comment, you are a very clever lady and very inovative l love your sewing and what darling children you have.I too adore to sew l would have said mainly childrens clothes but l now enjoy all the crafty bits as well like doll making bags and quilts and all sorts realy, well by for now hugs pat
ReplyDeleteThat's really pretty now I really like the jacket it suits you very well.
ReplyDeleteWow! You have a great eye! I could have never something so beautiful as what you made from the dress hanging up at the thrift store! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteThat is so darling! The original was hideous and you made it into a great outfit! I love it.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great outfit you've created! I like the skirt. It is different, but cute.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job taking a thrift store, very-dated outfit and made it look great. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful refashion! Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteFantastic refashioning! I never would have thought anything could be done with it the way it originally was!
ReplyDeleteI love how you turned that dress into something fabulous that worked for you. I also love that you have a library in your home. I'm envious. g
ReplyDeleteI think remaking clothes is more fun than sewing them from start to finish. Although that's a lot of fun too!
ReplyDeleteThe skirt and jacket are lovely, and really complement your figure. You have a great imagination - I would never have thought of making anything with that dress!
ReplyDeleteYou are a fantastic seamstress thank you for stopping by my blogg...you are welcome to call by anytime...I have clicked on to follower's as my little daughter like's to see the clothes also......
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on my blog Trudy. It is nice to know when people are visiting. If you get your daughter to send me an email (should be found via my profile from my blog) I will send her the template and instructions I made up for the Funky Frog and Trendy Tortoise I use for Fabulous Felt Brooches workshops. http://sandysnowden.blogspot.com/2009/04/fabulous-felt-friends.html I have them on my computer in word documents, so I can attach them on a reply email.
ReplyDeleteLove the change in the 70's dress. For the skirt, If you like the look but not the length, I'd take the waistband off, chop off the amount you want to shorten it from the top, and then sew the waistband back on. If it has a zip, you will have to move it down. Since the fabric is wider, you will have to gather or tuck the excess a bit more than it is now. You could do inverted pleats if you don't want the bunchy-ness of gathers.
Take care have fun sewing.
Sandy in the UK
Love what you did with the outfit, it looks great on you! Thanks for stopping by my blog, I love receiving comments.
ReplyDeleteHi Trudy,thanks for visiting my blog and for your nice comment as well.
ReplyDeleteWow , this 70's outfit brings back memories! I love what you ended up with.You are very creative! I'll be back!
This turned out great! You're so clever; I never would have come up with something so cute!
ReplyDeleteHi Trudy, thank you for your comment on my blog. What great finds those were at the thrift store. I think you can just leave the skirt as is and pair with a skinny tank, or add a bodice and make a maxi dress if you can find a good match to the yellow solid.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great new outfit, Trudy! I've been going through old fabric that my mother had in her stash, and matching it with patterns in my stash. But you really found a great way to use a vintage outfit already made! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for visiting my blog earlier this week. I would definitely use the skirt you found, too...maybe for a dress for your daughter?
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with that dress! How great to take something so unwearable and turning into a very attractive garment.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to keep an open mind for things like that when I'm thrift shopping! :)
You did a great job!!
Me too! Me too ~ I love how you reworked the dress to make it work for today! Great job!
ReplyDeleteFABU!!! l just love the 70s refashioning...wow.
ReplyDeleteIt fits really well!!
ReplyDeleteGreat use of fabric and yours turned out awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis is very creative, great idea! I love reconstructing vintage items.
ReplyDeleteGreat refashion. I love how you matched it with the black shirt.
ReplyDeleteWow what a smart refashion!! It looks like something out of a catalog instead of the not so pretty relic it was.
ReplyDeleteI loved it so much I have highlighted you on my Friday Favorites
http://paintchipsandfryingpans.blogspot.com/2010/08/friday-favorites-and-family-moment.html
Have a great weekend