1) So I found a jumper at the thrift store (actually, I spotted several that had potential, but settled on this one because it was about $1.25 and needed minimal sewing).
2) I removed the metal buttons (Is that what you call them?) with plyers. This left several holes.
3) I dyed the jumper in a stockpot on the stove using Rit’s Denim Blue dye. I used about half the bottle, and I let it soak for about 2 hours. This might not be necessary, but that’s what I did.
4) Then I washed and dryed it, of course.
5) At this point, I decided to try it on & decide what next. In order to not look completely frumpy, I decided it would need shape. But I had to fix the holes & whatnot first…
6) I patched the holes on the straps (but not the sides of the jumper) by setting my sewing machine to zigzag and using the widest possible stitch. I went across each hole in two directions, as you can see here:
This might look a little sloppy, but my mending will easily be covered by the buttons:
7) For the sides of the jumper, I decided to sew up the unnecessary opening with matching navy blue thread. I sewed 2 rows right beside the tan stitching, and you can hardly see it.
8) Then I trimmed some of the excess bulk from inside the garment (where the buttons used to be).
9) To add shape to the jumper, I decided to add elastic to the waistline. I took 1/4″ elastic and wrapped it around my waist to determine how much I needed. Then I pinned it to the jumper where I wanted the waist to fit. As you can see, I overlapped the elastic in the back of the garment. Then I stretched the elastic and pinned it at regular intervals, being certain that the jumper would gather evenly. (Does this make sense? I think it should be a separate tutorial…) I used a special zigzag stitch on my machine that is for sewing elastic onto garments, and I sewed the elastic directly to the waistline.
10) I closed the buttonholes on the sides of the jumper by using the zigzag stitch. You know, since they were no longer necessary.
11) Then I sewed on buttons. I decided to go with classic, inexpensive, gray buttons and used heavy-duty, tan thread to sew them on.
12) I put on my dress, got some Starbuck’s, and asked my husband to take my picture! :)
June 9th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
VERY cute! Great refashion…. Now, to find a denim jumper….
June 9th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Cute! First thot it odd that the topstitching stayed y-gold,then realized it must be poly- thread.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
That’s adorable!
June 9th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Too cute! I’m nursing my baby right now, and while I’m glad to do it, I miss being able to wear dresses and have shaping to clothes and wear things with a defined waist. Or actually have a defined waist. (sigh)
June 9th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Just fabulous, I’m really enjoying reading your blog and all the refashioning you get up to, very inspiring!
June 9th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
FABULOUS! Looks great!
June 9th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Love it! Good way of turning frumpy to funky! BTW, I am so nosy - what machine do you have? It looks just like mine - Brother BM2600 - which I have just bought. I am a complete newbie to sewing, but if we have the same machine, I’d love to hear how you find yours to be. Are you happy with it?
June 9th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Looks great! It’s amazing what a little dye, a little time and a lot of imagination can do. Your sewing is really neat, and tidy, too, I like that. Great job!
June 10th, 2009 at 6:07 am
I absolutely love what you did with the jumper! Its gorgeous and I would wear it every day!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:46 am
[…] ThimblyThings shows how she took a less-than-trendy jumper and turned it into this fashionable summer dress. A bit of elastic gave it some shape, and overdying updated the denim. See how she did it. […]
June 10th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Very cool!!! I posted a link to your refashion tutorial at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-denim-jumper-to-summer-dress/2009/06/10/
–Anne
June 10th, 2009 at 11:17 am
It’s sooo cute! I love the new color…great idea to dye it!
June 10th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I did not think it was possible to make this into something so cute! The gathered waistline is the ticket - and dyeing it darker was also brilliant. Well done, again.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Oh wow! It looks real cute. What an awesome refashion. Did you like the RIT dye? I haven’t tried it yet. It looks like it came out even and a nice dark color. And I think that type of button is called a bachelor button. :)
June 10th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Such a great idea!! Love it!!
June 11th, 2009 at 10:41 am
found you thru darling dexter, and i’m so glad i did!!!! love, love love your blog…..i love your creations and re-dos. you have totally inspired me to actually re-do all the things that have just been in my head…..
adding you to my blog list so i will back again and again
michelle
June 11th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Great choice with the color, and the elastic waist…its much more modern looking!
June 11th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Way to go! What a huge improvement and thanks for sharing your secrets:)
June 13th, 2009 at 2:33 am
I love this tutorial! You’ve turned it into the most perfect little summer dress.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Great picks my dear! Love them all and the inspiration is nearly overwhelming.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am
That looked like quite a process…but it’s sooo cute
June 16th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Wowza! From totally hideous to absolutely adorable… that is true talent!
p.s. I also love the seersucker top from the previous post!
June 25th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
you’ve made that thrift store jumper very cool! a fitted waist can de-dorkify most anything, IMHO.