i purchased this dress from GAP a few months ago for $5.
it’s a size L and doesn’t have any darts, so it doesn’t have any shape to it.
so i cut the sides, made the shoulders smaller, and made a bowtie belt for the waist.
the before/after:
to make the shoulder seam smaller, i flipped it inside out,
then folded and pinned the shoulder seams about 1/2″.
then sewed it right by the seam on the sleeves.
(i didn’t want the sleeves any shorter so i kept the length of the sleeves
by sewing along the seams on the sleeves, if that makes sense.
if i wanted the sleeves shorter too, i would’ve folded it right along
the line on the sleeves and not 1/2″ across from it.)
then sewed the sides about 2 1/2″ smaller. (see the gray line)
then with the extra fabric i cut from the sides, i made a bowtie using this tutorial with one strip
and with the other made a waist tie.
and there you have it!
the dress is very cute & girly so i felt the need to pose like one. π
p.s: the headband i’m wearing is available for purchase at my store right now.
and there’s only one left. π
Wynter says
I have always loved your head bands.. I just wish I had the extra money for them.
I swear I saw you at Old Navy the other day.. and was star struck! π I love your work and now that I have a sewing machine I hope I can take from some of your creativity and make beautiful things too. =)
donching says
hey sara..luv d dress ,u r simply a genius
i feel lucky to hav found ur blog u inspire me so much with ur beautiful words of ur family life and also artistically ,if i can say so,
THank you sarah…kisses to ur girls..cant wait to hav my own n experience the hullaballoo and all the love :))
irem says
that'a a perfect transformation, I love the new form of the dress, great job π
http://irem-just-a-dream.blogspot.com/
Erica Louise says
What a beautiful little dress, love it, very inspiring
colorcitos says
AMAZING!!
I have so many clothes I don't use anymore but I love the fabric and I would like to restyle them, but I am scare I will ruin it. π
Lovely transformation!!
Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says
great job!! super cute, as always..
Meagan says
You make it look so stinkin easy!!! Adorable dress and that pink is so flattering against your skin tone. Love this transformation! It is hard to walk away from a high quality GAP dress for $5 and it is amazing that you can transform it into a completely different dress!!
Cheryl @ Sew Can Do says
This looks terrific! Great job as usual. Would love for you to link this to the Craftastic party:)
Jessie K says
Makes you wonder why they didn't make it that way in the first place?! Who wants to wear a sack for a dress!
Bonnie Boo says
You look so cute! And you make it look so easy to alter a dress. I have to try it!
Madison says
What a transformation! It looks so beautiful now! You are very talented. π
Shannon says
I always love to see what you come up with. You are so good transforming ordinary into beautiful!
shannonsews.blogspot.com
Ginny says
so cute do it to mine!!! please π
steph nelsen says
way cute! and i love those shoes!
Anna says
SO pretty!!
Josh and Tawnya Begay says
love it plus I think a flower sash will go perfect with it too!!!
Lindsay says
This is the second project that I have visited from you today–you must have a really fabulous blog!
I'd love or you to share this one as well. π
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-share-3.html
Becki and Jeff says
I love love love the after picture! That looks like a dress I'd love wearing as well!! $5 from Gap?! Nice! Only, I think Gap shouldn't have gone with a mu mu look in the before picture. You are quite talented to make something quite lovely!
Christine says
I love your blog! You are so talented and tyou amde this dress so cute
Christine @ http://projectsaroundthehouse.blogspot.com/
gigiofca says
Another genius diy!
sew grown says
I love it! You would match the party dress I made for my daughter. Beautiful job!!!
http://Www.sewgrown.blogspot.com
::little projects in style:: says
what a cute diy! the girlie pose you struck is how the japanese girlies in the street poses all the time. of course not forgetting the classic peace fingers.
xx
Sachiko says
You did such a fantastic job on the dress(again)! π
Eve says
What a beautiful refashion – Good Job!
If you have a minute stop by and enter my Giveaway for a custom made pinstripe skirt.
http://theorchardinbloom.blogspot.com/2011/08/pinstripe-skirt-giveaway.html
Flora says
Looks great! Lovely!
Just Jaime says
Great update! You gave that dress some personality =)
southernscraps says
Great transformation! Your talent amazes me.
Abby says
So much better! You really improved it
Meredith Resnick, M.Ed & MA says
So cute. You are very talented.
~ Meredith From A Mother Seeking A Mother Seeking…This week, "When Life Hands You Lemons…"
Kara @ Mine for the Making says
WOW! I cant get over the transformation. You are SERIOUSLY talented!!!
Id LOVE for you to link this up to my new DIY fashion linky party called DIY Diva Thursdays! We party until Monday, so you have plenty of time to link up! I hope to see you there π
Kara
http://www.mineforthemaking.com
Sarah says
@Wynter: No, that wasn't me at old navy, i haven't been there for awhile(i should though!) haha, i guess i have a doppleganger walking around somewhere in ut! π
thank you so much for your comments everyone, I appreciate it so much! <3