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!


I’m so glad you kept all that glitz around the neckline. Love the final product!
Hi Carissa!! Right? It is going to be a winner for holiday parties! Thanks for your vote!
I just found you from a link on pinterest and spent last night and this morning reading every post. My daughter is a teacher and I enjoy the ideas for cute teacher outfits. I live in Alaska, and since it is rainy and cool and summer is coming to an end here, I am looking for a sweatshirt and flannel shirt to remake for fall! Thanks for taking time to share.
Hello Kathy! I am so flattered by your comments and welcome to my little blog. I am glad you like my posts. More is coming in the next few weeks. Don’t forget to cast your vote!
I love your refashions and just wanted to let you know I voted for you too.
Thank you so much Kathleen! I always try to keep it real!
Great job Mary! What a fun way to dress up a pair of jeans! Good luck with the competition!
Hello Susan! I thought the same thing…thanks for the comments and have a wonderful day!
I LOVEEEE all your dress upcycles. I visit my local thrift stores often and among the racks are those fabric treasures begging to be refashioned and made into something beautiful again. I’m building my stash of dream garments. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Hello Mary!
Thank you so much for your comments! I love doing this and I am so glad I can inspire! Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter so you can be notified when I post! Happy Refashioning! I am off to the thrift stores now!!!!-Mary