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Guest tutorial: Party dress refashion by Marisa Lynch from New Dress A Day

November 6, 2012 by Anne Weaver

Yesterday I posted my review of New Dress A Day by Marisa Lynch. 

Today, I’ve got a special treat for you….  Marisa herself showing how to turn a drab, boring dress into fabulous party attire.

Take it away, Marisa!

*****

 I’m all about making my own versions of fab designer pieces using vintage dresses and notions you can snag at the craft store!  I love getting complimented on these designer remakes and getting to say that I made them myself!

 I fell in love with this ASOS dress when I first saw it featured in a Teen Vogue spread and knew I had to try it out on my own! 

I was totally into the colors and I had the perfect dress to use for this DIY.

 There were lots of discolorations on the dress, so trying to hide them with paint was going to be the best trick to make them disappear!

I really wanted to get the color distribution and texture of the ASOS dress on point, so I started off by rubber banding scattered sections of the piece, taking a handful of fabric and wrapping rubber bands around each section.

Once everything was banded, I grabbed a few cans of Simply Spray in colors that matched the ones found on the ASOS dress – pink, light blue, turquoise, spring green, and lilac – and started to spray!

I started with sprays of pink and then moved a few more colors before covering the dress.

After the spray dried, I went to tackle the length next because I wanted something just a bit shorter to hit me at the knee.

I used the area where the side slits ended, as a guide where to cut.

With my dress newly cut, I pinned the raw edges under, and began to sew a new shortened hem.

Post-sew, I was ready for the day!  I wanted to retain a similar texture to the one seen on the ASOS dress, so I didn’t iron down the crinkled areas where the rubber bands were.

From spotted dress to party appropriate ensemble in just a few, easy steps!

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Comments

  1. Sissy says

    November 7, 2012 at 10:10 am

    WOW! My DIL and I are chomping at the bit to try our hand at upcycle of ugly dresses…GOOD JOB!

Have you read?

Sewing Pattern – Simple Shift Dress

Are you looking to make your first dress or just craving a quick, stylish sewing project? The Simple Shift Dress tutorial from Sew Essential is the perfect starting point! This tutorial walks you through each step of the process, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned sewers looking for a no-fuss yet fashionable creation. Shift dresses are known for their timeless design and flattering shape, making them a wardrobe staple for many. Whether you’re preparing for a casual outing or a special event, this dress can be made to suit any occasion.

What makes this project so beginner-friendly? The instructions are clear, straightforward, and easy to follow. Plus, the pattern is simple, so you don’t need advanced sewing skills to create a stunning dress that looks professionally made. The straight lines and minimal shaping allow for a great deal of customization, so you can tweak the design to fit your personal taste, whether by experimenting with different fabrics or adding fun details like pockets, a belt, or a decorative hem.

For a more comfortable and tailored fit, you can also adjust the sleeve length, neckline, or hemline to suit the season or your style preferences. This shift dress pattern is incredibly versatile, offering you a broad canvas to explore your creativity in garment sewing.

And if you’re wondering about fabric, this project works beautifully with a variety of materials! Lightweight cotton, linen, jersey, or even a heavier fabric for cooler months—this shift dress can adapt to different textures and colors to create a unique piece that reflects your personality.

So, if you’re eager to enhance your sewing skills with a dress that’s both simple and stylish, be sure to check out Sew Essential’s Simple Shift Dress tutorial. This project is sure to build your confidence in dressmaking while delivering a stunning end result you’ll want to wear again and again! Happy sewing!

Free pattern: Simply Shift Dress

Sewing Pattern Tutorial: Scalloped shift dress

Shift dress pattern, linen dress pattern, PDF sewing patterns

Tutorial: Mod Shift Dress for little girls

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