Life is Beautiful

Motherhood, Sewing, Family

DIY: a thrift find dress to a peplum dress

~ SEWING

I got this dress at a thrift store for $4.  I liked the color and knew it had potential.  
I tend to go through “obsessions” with clothes, like two years ago, it was ruffles.  Starting last year, it’s been peplum.  I already own 9 items of peplum clothing but it’s just not enough!  So I had to make this into a peplum dress.

My favorite part?  I made the peplum detachable so I can wear it two ways:
Directions: 
*with the peplum design, I used a pattern similar to this one, except I didn’t round the edges of the fabric.
After:
Photographs by Jessica Peterson.  
What you’ll need:
-bigger/longer dress
-hook & eye closure
-matching thread
-scissors
-a sewing machine/needle & thread
Estimated time: 1.5-2 hrs.
Budget: $4
Skill level: intermediate

Comments

  7. quirkypink says

    I love that you were able to make it detachable,now u can wear it even if peplum goes out of fashion! Is there a button at the back? how does it come off?

  15. girls says

    I love your blog because it reminds me what a little work can do to make something beautiful without breaking the bank! Thank you for the inspiration!

    -Peggy

  17. Kika says

    I can't say I've ever been a fan of the peplum look, but this post has changed my mind! It looks so darling and the entire dress/outfit looks amazing on you. Thanks for posting!

  18. Sydney says

    You are AMAZING! MY little sister just introduced me to your blog and I can't believe how incredible it is. I'm excited to keep reading. This dress is so cute. I love it!

  29. BrendaLady says

    Question: It looks like the dress has seams running down the front, but I can't tell if they were there to begin with…can you clarify for me? And also the zipper in the back- was that there or did you add it? (You did a wonderful job by the way!!! Simply amamzing!) Thanks!!

  30. Sarah says

    Hi!

    you're right, it has two side seams running down in the front. the side seams, and the zipper in the back were all there to begin with. so I just sewed the sides smaller and shortened the sleeve length and the bottom hem length. hope that helps and thanks for your kind words!

  32. Cocalores says

    What an awesome, awesome, awesome dress! You seriously rock at the sewing machine – and it's totally the right style for you too. Don't need any Calvin Klein dresses anymore, wearing that to your HS reunion would have been so cool! xo Anja @ cocalores.blogspot.com

  33. Gail Purath says

    I could never do this…I'm not a sewer, but I am so impressed with what you did. Quite a transformation…a really beautiful dress. Gail (BibleLoveNotes.com)

  42. Sarah says

    Thank you so much! I'm sure it'll turn out great! Please let me know if you try it, I would love to see it. 🙂

  44. Katie Adams says

    This is gorgeous! It is crazy that you made this beautiful dress out of the frumpy thing. Love!!! Thanks for sharing on Blog Stalking Thursday!

  51. Searching for Pallas says

    I've been reading your blog for awhile but have yet to comment. I'm ending that streak right now to tell you how completely great that dress is and how completely great you look in it!

  52. Sarah says

    Oh yay, thank you for leaving a comment, I appreciate it so much! Thank you for your encouraging words, it means a lot to me, and I hope to see you more often! 😉

  53. Melanie says

    Super cute! I have a thrift store dress I wanted to do the exact same thing to, so this is inspiring, especially the detachable peplum! thank you for sharing!

  58. Eliz says

    Oh my gosh! I love how you made the peplum detachable! That is just pure genius! Great idea and great execution – thanks for sharing! (:

  61. Chace and Shareesa says

    My jaw is on the floor. I got a sewing machine for Christmas and have so far made a handful of skirts/maxi skirts, a shirt, and tailored many shirts/jackets. I LOVE refashioning my clothes, but this transformation thoroughly impresses me. I love the removable peplum as well-brilliant! I'm a new follower!

  62. Chace and Shareesa says

    My jaw is on the floor. I got a sewing machine for Christmas and have so far made a handful of skirts/maxi skirts, a shirt, and tailored many shirts/jackets. I LOVE refashioning my clothes, but this transformation thoroughly impresses me. I love the removable peplum as well-brilliant! I'm a new follower!

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