New Blog Feature: Revival Style

March 01, 2011

New Blog Feature: Revival Style

I am so excited to introduce to you a new blog feature on Here's Looking at Me, Kid! Lately, during my thrift store trips, I've been finding lots of clothes with potential, but that potential is often hidden pretty far away. So far, in fact, that you have to root to the bottom of my mending pile to find it! As motivation for myself, and inspiration for you, I will be sharing the projects in which I revive an old, not quite right, garment into something I can wear with pride.

For this project, I started out with this drop-waist dress with a pleated skirt. Pleats! I was so excited about the pleats, that I didn't really care if the dress fit or not. Which, of course, it didn't. (It seems that usually clothes I find are too big or too small for me!)

To alter it, I began by chopping off the bodice of the dress, leaving a very wide pleated skirt with about 4 inches extra waist fabric at the top. I cut the dress along the side hem (choosing the zipper area to do this) to leave a long piece of pleated fabric, which I wrapped around my waist to see how much fabric I would need to cut off for a proper fit.

After cutting off the extra width, I ironed the sides and top hems and then used fusible fond to close them up. Last step? Adding big white buttons and button holes. Button holes are something I will definitely need practice with, but at least the big buttons hide the shabby holes!

The great thing about this project is that I have enough leftover fabric from the bust that I can craft a cute blouse with it. But that's another project for another day. :)

Mar 1, 2011 8:30:00 AM | DIY

18 Comments

Yes! I love restyling and I LOVE that you're sharing yours with us! Love that split screen too :)

Posted by: Briana | March 01, 2011 at 09:18 AM

Wow, the big buttons are great! I like that you're doing this because I too have a pile of clothes waiting to be altered. Maybe this will give me motivation!

Posted by: Cheryl | March 01, 2011 at 09:44 AM

OMG, YESSSS! That looks incredible Mandi, I'm so impressed! And those booties are incredible... you look gorgeous! Man I wish I could sew... *sigh*

Vickie
www.adventuresinfashion.ca

Posted by: vickielaliotis@hotmail.com | March 01, 2011 at 10:07 AM

I love this new feature! First I was amazed by the photo editing in the first image ( genious!) but than I got so caught up in how simple this project is! i love this whole feature!

Posted by: Kayla | March 01, 2011 at 10:40 AM

Excited for this feature! I've been reading that blog where the girl alters a dress almost every day and it always makes me wish that I could sew

Posted by: Stephanie | March 01, 2011 at 10:53 AM

Wowsers, well done lady! Looking forward to more!

Posted by: Monique | March 01, 2011 at 12:25 PM

oh my goodness.... i absolulty LOVE this new feature.
now i just have to learn how to sew!!!
the skirt looks amazing on you..and i can not wait to see more!!!
xoox

Posted by: gee | March 01, 2011 at 12:42 PM

So cute! I love this new feature. I am no sewing wiz but I feel like this is something I could attempt. I look forward to seeing more items you have restyled! It will also help me to see the potential on my own thrift trips!

Posted by: Erin | March 01, 2011 at 01:05 PM

suuuuuper cute! It takes a talented mind to see something inside another garment. Nice work!

Posted by: .amanda. | March 01, 2011 at 05:34 PM

Mandi I am totally digging this post. keep it up and the picture sensational!! you make me want to buy a sewing machine.

Posted by: zelina | March 01, 2011 at 05:36 PM

Good work! I have such a big pile of dresses and skirts which need similar treatment. I started one last week but it took so long to get the hem cut, folded, and pinned straight that I was too tired to finish it and I haven't had a free evening since! I'll post it as soon as it's done :)

Posted by: Eleni Drinks Tea | March 02, 2011 at 05:03 AM