27 Responses to “A New Fugly Dress to Refashion”

1. ginny hrushka Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

   spaghetti straps, tighten in the front, lose the collar, but keep the wrap in the front and then make a tight waist and full skirt- very 1950/1960s. maybe add a thick belt too.

2. kristena Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 3:52 pm

   I should mention that the dress has a matching belt… You know, just in case there aren’t enough flowers on its victim already. ;)

3. Jenn Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

   That dress is scary!!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

4. Kristi Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

   Yoga bag!!! ;)

5. Amanda - VintageDutchGirl Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

   How about taking inspiration from a dress like this:

   http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=933009&parentid=CLOTHES-DRESSES&pushId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&popId=CLOTHES&sortProperties=&navCount=165&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=059&colorName=PURPLE%20MOTIF&isSubcategory=true

   and pairing it with a nicely coordinating plain top color to tone down all of the…um…fuglyness?

   Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

   (p.s. I’m Sallie B’s sis-in-law ;)

6. craftyllama Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

   It’s amazing fabric, I love buying dresses like this and giving them a makeover. I’d lose the sleeves but keep the collar. Maybe you could turn it into a halter-style with the collar still attached? I’d bring in the waist but let the skirt stay really full, and then make a nice contrasting belt/tie to break it up a bit. oh, and i’d keep the pockets if possible, i’m such a sucker for pockets in dresses. I can’t wait to see what you do!

7. Susan Petersen Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

   What about a high waisted pleated skirt? I found a bubble one similar on polyvore….maybe like this?

   http://www.polyvore.com/tbt_high_waist_bubble_skirt/thing?id=10305331

   but maybe instead of the bubble, just a full skirt? it is really great fabric.

8. Shannon Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 7:25 pm

   I would make a couple purses/bags. Do you have a young lady to give a Christmas gift to? She would love it!

9. nicole gerulat Says:
   September 8th, 2009 at 7:26 pm

   make a bubble skirt with it -it could be really cool with that fabric.

10. Lisa A Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    Vintage Dutch Girl’s got the right idea. That Anthropologie dress is CUTE! And how easy would that be. That dress has so much fabric, you could make one for yourself and a couple more for friends!

11. Steph Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Cut it off at the waist, use the the top to make straps, make it into a short dress. Of course if it were *me*, I’d ruin it with about three strokes of the rotary cutter and it would become colorful garbage. Because I’m creative like that. ;)

12. Sheboz Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    light a match. :)

13. mjb Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Oh my - I don’t know what I’d do, but at least there’s plenty of fabric to work with!

14. paule Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    i like the folds at the front of the skirt part, it is right-now look actually..so i would try and salvage that part. or maybe switch it upside down and use it as the bottom??

    like this:
    http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=4913969

    good luck!

15. Juliette Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 2:00 am

    a bubble skirt and a wrap top - to be worn separately - are the first things that come to mind. Can’t wait to see what you do - this is so fascinating!

16. Janie Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 2:13 am

    Hmmm, not my thing but it has potential…

    Think I’d go for a skirt with a contrasting 2″ band of solid colour around the hem to tone done those flowers, and then to perhaps funk it up a little making a cute little wristlet, coin purse, brooch or hair band out of the same fabric.

17. Vicki K Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 10:11 am

    Is it cotton? Fun pillowcases for your bed!

18. TH Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    hmm, a lot of materials, so fun! A swing skirt dress? I would totally wear this dress now (after your make over of course!) with a long cardigan with a brown belt. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

19. Rosa Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    I didn’t get this post until today. I would make a “trench coat” or a spring jacket. I think you have enough fabric for a short coat with nice labels and large buttons. Good luck with your choice.

20. lsaspacey Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    I think what everyone says about making a halter dress is a great idea; very similar to this classic Claire McCardell design.

21. jessica Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    A wrap skirt?

22. Sarah Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    ROMPER. PLEASE.

23. Annie Says:
    September 9th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    pjs if it’s all cotton.

    you are one CRAZY talented lady! I’m glad I came accross your blog!

24. Ruth Derrick Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 10:48 am

    A simple sheath or…a tablecloth.

25. The Happy Friday Skirt | thimbly things Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    […] (almost) entirely from the skirt of the dress.  I reused the pockets, and I used muslin for the inside of the waistband.  For added flourish, […]

26. kate Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 6:15 pm

    Eek! I think it would become cleaning rags if it was found hanging in my house. Can’t wait to see what you do with it!

27. lori Says:
    September 25th, 2009 at 11:54 am

    re-upholster a chair

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