Dresses

Wedding Dress Refashion

May 29, 2020 By Mary Peterson 12 Comments

Hello Everyone!

Since last week was my 29th anniversary, I thought it was a great time to share my wedding dress refashion for newcomers to my site.

Do you remember how you felt in your wedding dress? I felt like a total princess! I never went the route that most brides these days do. There was no dress shopping for me. Shortly after I became engaged, I took a trip back to my hometown of Milwaukee and promptly took my mother’s wedding dress out of the attic. It was in beautiful shape, and once I tried it on I had a vision of what I wanted. From that moment, it was my dress. Don’t get me wrong, it did need a lot of work. Here is the story…

**My beautiful mom and dad back in the day. Mom’s dress had long pointy sleeves, huge bow at the neck, VERY pointy darts,(those were a thing back in the day**) **and a very long train.**

**Fast forward to May 11, 1991! The train was shortened to make new “Laura Ashley” type sleeves, all of the lace** **had to be replaced, the bodice was recut and pieced back together with princess seams, and the bow/s were replaced with bias binding roses.**

**Mom’s dress had long pointy sleeves and a big bow in front**

**I cut off the train to make new “Laura Ashley” style sleeves, and made bias roses instead of bows for the front**

**Here is a closer look at the sleeve “Before”**

**This is a closer look at the roses that replaced the bows**

**Here is another closer look at the sleeves bodice and roses**

As I move forward to my 30th anniversary I have started to think about what to do with my dress. The fabric is still so beautiful. I thought about giving it to a place that makes angel gowns for infants who are stillborn. Another idea was to make christening gowns for my future grandchildren.

I asked my boys what they prefered, and they want me to hold off on donating, They feel that a christening gown would be a good idea, but they want to check it out with their future brides. So, for the time being I will keep it. I have a good idea that my dress still has a great future in store. Whatever I choose I know my mother would be proud.

I would love to know if any of you have made or upcycled your wedding gowns. What is your story?

Hope you are all well!

Colorful Tunic From a Maxi

November 12, 2016 By Mary Peterson 31 Comments

Hi Everyone!

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I can’t believe I haven’t posted since August and Thanksgiving is near! This new school year has me tied up in knots with all of the new training and work to be done, but I have a quick offering for you. It was meant to be my week 4 offering for Refashion Runway but, alas I was eliminated at week 3! Sniff! No worries though, I had a great time and love the competition!!!

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I love it when I find a maxi with a great pattern and this is a perfect example. It was a size 4 so it was way too small to wear as is, but at the same time a great source of fabric for a border print junkie like me! I simply used my sleeveless tunic pattern and added black bias on the neck and sleeves. I have been getting so much use out of it!

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Before

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After

I would love to hear from you! See you soon and happy refashioning…

Love ya,

Mary

Refashion Runway Allstars-VELVET!

August 6, 2016 By Mary Peterson 10 Comments

Hi Everyone!

I am thrilled to be participating in this season or Refashion Runway ALLSTARS! I need your vote! SO, after you check out my entry, click here to VOTE FOR ME!!!!! Just scroll down through the entries and the voting app will be at the end.

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Velvet? I have to say that I have NEVER used it or worn it before. When I was asked to participate in this contest, I had to think about what kind of velvet I would wear. I never refashion anything that I don’t actually wear as it would just take up space in my life. It had to be functional. I found this great velvet dress at Goodwill but it was a 1X and way too matronly!. BUT, I could picture it as a cocktail top for a holiday party worn with jeans. I don’t have the lifestyle to wear formal dresses, so this is what it had to be! Below you can see the before and after!

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BEFORE=FRUMPSVILLE!!!

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AFTER=FABULOUS

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Here you can see how the light reflects on this great fabric.

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TUTORIAL

STEP 1) Release the bodice from the heavy prison that was the skirt.

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Step 2) Redraw the armhole to change the shoulders from matronly to fabulous! After I did this, I turned and top stitched the new armholes and took in the side seams of the bodice to fit.

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Step 3) Re-drape and fit the skirt. I will not kid you… this took hours and many tries to get it right. I had to cut out a section of the skirt, cut off significant length, and re- drape to fit. You can see I have a higher seam in the back and it is curved to fall gracefully around my curves…ha ha! Below you see the front and back yokes pinned, slip stitched together by hand, and ready to sew permanent seams.

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Here is the finished product. Ready to ROCK THE REFASHION RUNWAY ALLSTARS!

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What do you think? PLease cast your vote for me! Just click here and scroll to the voting app at the end of the post!

Until next week…

Love and happy refashioning to you all!!!

Mary

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Maxi Dress to Summer Top

September 13, 2015 By Mary Peterson 18 Comments

Hi Everyone!

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OK! How many of these have you seen in your lifetime? Ugh right?

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I turned that awful maxi into a totally functional summer top!

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“Easy Sneezy!!!!” Step 1 ) Remove the offending tube top YUK!

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Step 2) Lay my tank pattern out and cut the side seam straight down to the ruffle

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Step 3) I just zipped up the side seams and 1/4″ top stitched the neckline and armholes and I was ready to rock! Maxi dresses are a treasure trove of fabric possibilities!!!

Let me know what you think!!!!

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’til then…

Love ya!

Mary

Animal Print Dress Refashion

December 15, 2014 By Mary Peterson 4 Comments

Hello Everyone!

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Sometimes it really is as easy as you think! Check out this after! Her you see it with my leggings and ballet flats ready for work, but I have also worn it with boots and jeans! I love it!

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