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DIY: a thrift find dress to a peplum dress

July 30, 2012~ 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
5

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TAGGED: DIY, DIY tailoring 66 Comments

Comments

  1. Panna Kropka says

    July 30, 2012 at 6:29 am

    You're doing amazing things!Have a nice day ๐Ÿ˜‰

  2. Almoraima says

    July 30, 2012 at 6:36 am

    ยกQuรฉ cambio mรกs espectacular!

    The outfits of my dreams

  3. Traci Best says

    July 30, 2012 at 7:00 am

    Beautiful! ๐Ÿ˜€

  4. MyTwoCents says

    July 30, 2012 at 10:29 am

    So cute! I love the color

  5. Nilgรผn Komar says

    July 30, 2012 at 11:02 am

    beautiful

  6. Meagan@Meagan Tells All says

    July 30, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    SHUT UP! This is amazing. And that is totally your color, girl.

  7. quirkypink says

    July 30, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    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?

  8. squigglesss says

    July 30, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    oh so beautiful! The color suits you prettily ๐Ÿ™‚ I just made my first tutorial with the same color of dress too!

  9. Jodi Ann says

    July 30, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    You're amazing! I love this DIY!!

  10. Melissa says

    July 30, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    You are so talented! Love it!!

  11. royal_junkie says

    July 30, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    Amazing!

  12. Jay says

    July 30, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    Thank you! There's a hook & eye closure in the back. ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Jay says

    July 30, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    This is Sarah. I guess I'm logged in my husband's account haha.

  14. Shannon says

    July 30, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    You are amazing. What else is there to say?!

  15. girls says

    July 30, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    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

  16. StyLexi says

    July 30, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    You are amazing! I just finished my Anthropologie squeezebox top following your tutorial. I love your projects, you are so talented!

    If you want to see how it turned out, please visit my page on FB:
    http://www.facebook.com/shoppingdiet

    Thanks,
    Tanya

  17. Kika says

    July 30, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    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

    July 30, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    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!

  19. caitlin says

    July 30, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    Brilliant! I love the idea of 2 in one piece! Hope to see you DIY from you. ๐Ÿ™‚

  20. Jill says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:24 am

    Just fabulous!! I love both versions!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

  21. Christal says

    July 31, 2012 at 5:39 am

    I love this so much! This look looks so great on you!
    http://www.mustardmeyellow.christalbridge.com

  22. Clairejustine says

    July 31, 2012 at 5:59 am

    You did a super job here it looks great,thanks for linking up to Creative Mondays ๐Ÿ™‚

  23. Cristi NoHYIE says

    July 31, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    Found your post on Take a Look Tuesday! Love this Idea!

    thenouxrejekt.com

  24. Christine@ Projects Around the House says

    July 31, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    This is stunning! I totally want a dress with detachable peplum now! I don't know if I have the sewing skills to pull it off though. I might have to give it a try anyway ๐Ÿ™‚

  25. Just Jaime says

    July 31, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    Beautiful! I love it both ways!

  26. BeeforeAndAfterBlog says

    August 1, 2012 at 2:46 am

    This is incredibly impressive! Beautiful ๐Ÿ™‚

  27. Cathleen says

    August 1, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    I'm really impressed ๐Ÿ™‚ You created a beautiful dress!

  28. Lauro says

    August 1, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    this is so well structured and just super classy! nice find and great transformation!!

  29. BrendaLady says

    August 1, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    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

    August 1, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    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!

  31. Twentyy Something says

    August 2, 2012 at 4:22 am

    You are a genius! The dress looks amazing, I'm gonna try it but I doubt it'll look anything like yours.

    xoxo
    http://twentyysomething.blogspot.com/

  32. Cocalores says

    August 2, 2012 at 9:09 am

    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

    August 2, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    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)

  34. Mommy of 3 says

    August 2, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    Love the dress ADORE the shoes!!!!!!

  35. Pamela Michelle says

    August 2, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    This is amazing!! You are so seriously so adorable and talented!!!

  36. Christine @ Angel Stitch Embroidery and Jezebel says

    August 2, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    Wow!! It has such a retro 40's shape now. I love it.

  37. Cerise says

    August 2, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    That is insanely amazing. I think it's brilliant that you looked at that dress and saw what you did. Beautiful revamp.

  38. Jamie Nicole says

    August 3, 2012 at 1:04 am

    Sarah, I think she's talking about the darts near the bust. Were those there originally?

  39. Rachel says

    August 3, 2012 at 3:08 am

    So cute! You did an amazing job! Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

  40. Sarah says

    August 3, 2012 at 6:11 am

    Yes, all the darts/seams were there originally. I didn't do anything do the dress except tailor it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  41. Sarah says

    August 3, 2012 at 6:12 am

    Thank you, you are so sweet! You should start sewing! ๐Ÿ™‚

  42. Sarah says

    August 3, 2012 at 6:14 am

    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. ๐Ÿ™‚

  43. Sarah says

    August 3, 2012 at 6:14 am

    You are so sweet, thank you for reading my blog!

  44. Katie Adams says

    August 3, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    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!

  45. Tracey says

    August 4, 2012 at 11:49 am

    Fabulous & I love the versatility ๐Ÿ™‚
    x

  46. Katie's Nesting Spot says

    August 9, 2012 at 1:15 am

    Thank you for sharing with us on A Crafty Soiree, I've featured your project this week. Please come by and see if when you get a chance.

  47. Heidi Fowler says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:27 am

    Wow! What a fantastic transformation! Thanks for the tutorial. I might just be brave enough to try this.

    Iโ€™d love it if you shared this at my linky party on Friday at OneCreativeMommy.com.

  48. Erica says

    August 10, 2012 at 3:55 am

    You are so talented! I LOVE everything you do! You've got style ๐Ÿ˜‰

  49. Adventures in Dressmaking says

    August 12, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    What an excellent refashion! It fits you beautifully and looks great!

  50. Sarah says

    August 12, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    I'm sure yours will turn out great! Best luck!

  51. Searching for Pallas says

    August 15, 2012 at 8:45 am

    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

    August 16, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    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! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  53. Melanie says

    August 29, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    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!

  54. Laurie says

    October 24, 2012 at 2:21 am

    I've been reading your blog for a while and I've followed several of your tutorials (the ruffle around me top, the striped sequin shirt and now this peplum dress). I'm always amazed by your talent. I posted a picture of the dress on my blog: http://keeptheparksfamilyweird.blogspot.com/2012/10/repurposing-mania.html
    if you're interested in looking at it! : )

  55. THE PULSE OF FASHION says

    October 27, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    This is FANTASTIC! I've actually just blogged about a peplum dress and have mentioned your blog post in it!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Would you mind checking my blog out and let me know what you think??

    http://www.thepulseoffashion.blogspot.com xx

  56. eva mei and me says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    The removable peplum is so so so clever !!!! It looks wonderful. Well done

  57. Reeneta Dutta says

    January 10, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    amazing!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ will surely try!

    http://glamshutter.blogspot.in

  58. Eliz says

    February 20, 2013 at 7:29 pm

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

  59. bx nayem says

    March 1, 2013 at 1:19 am

    like all good escorts, they move on too soon.

    books
    chick lit
    romance novels
    life
    romance

  60. Anonymous says

    June 3, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    This is a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing.

  61. Chace and Shareesa says

    June 15, 2013 at 2:23 am

    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

    June 15, 2013 at 2:29 am

    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!

  63. Printingtextil Natasha says

    November 14, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    Fantastic, fantastic! Really nice blog

  64. Helena A. says

    March 24, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    Hi Sarah!!! Just found you throught this lady: http://refashionco-op.blogspot.pt/2014/03/pleated-skirt-to-spring-shirt.html
    I'm now a new follower!!! Just amazing what you did with this dress!!!!
    Congratulations!!
    Kisses from Portugal

  65. Merrie K. says

    May 21, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    vVery, very, very impressive!!! When I saw the before and after…I couldn't believe it…great job ๐Ÿ™‚

  66. Sassy T says

    October 11, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    Would you mind me featuring this refashion on SSB. I feature the before and after photo, then direct them to your page to find out how it is done.
    https://facebook.com/sassysewingbees

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Hello! My name is Sarah and I am so happy to have you here! Here you'll find DIY sewing, DIY home building & decor, honest and vulnerable posts of motherhood and snippets of my family. We are building our dream house and will update you regularly on our whole process from start to finish and I am also starting a mother-daughter sewing series. So I hope you stay awhile!

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