Week 33: Alaina’s NDAD Creation

Jun 30, 2011 | 34 Comments

OK, so the move has been more arduous than I had planned…full post pending :)   Let’s just say everything that was ‘scheduled’ in the lovely blocks of multiple hours (um, Time Warner Cable, I’m mostly talkin’ to you…) didn’t really pan out in that specific time period, however I keep saying to myself…SERENITY NOW!!  I always think of that Seinfeld ep. “Serenity now, sanity later…”

In the interim, Miss Alaina’s recreation is featured today!! Full on holiday weekend garb is getting prepped as we speak and we’ll be back on track soon!!  I loved her outcome and am totally Alaina-izing a dress like this shortly.

Her before…

Alaina - Before

Alaina - Before

Rock that pose girl!!

Alaina began her process by chopping the dress into two pieces.  Crop top and the skirt, trimmed right above the elastic waist!

Two pieces!!

Two pieces!!

Once it was chopped in two, she focused on the bottom half cutting the excess material that was leftover into new strips (three on each side) to become straps for this soon-to-be halter sundress!

Strips for straps!!

Strips for straps!!

Once the straps were in place, it was braid time!!  (PS, I’ll totally sub out my head next time Alaina :) I loved getting my hair braided when I was a kid…so relaxing!!)

They're not just for hair!!

They're not just for hair!!

The new straps were braided and Alaina’s sundress was ready to be taken out in the sunshine!

Alaina - After

Alaina - After

Paired with a white belt, this was transformed from no bueno to something I’d see in Anthropologie.  I love it and it makes me want to bike down the boardwalk with a big floppy hat and covered in SPF 45.  Way to go Alaina!!

Back to move mode…get ready for some serious photo documentation.

In all · Reader Creations
  • Tracie

    really awesome job

  • Busywoman2

    VERY cool!

  • Elizabeth Provencher

    That is amazing!  Way to go!

  • DinaB

    Fabulous Sundress Alaina! Love the braided part and the length is perfect!
    It’s so cool that Marisa’s blog inspires so many of us to rethink the outfits in our closets and gives us a place to meet and share our projects!
     It should be about Cocktail time for Miss Marisa, relax put your feet up and enjoy the fruits of your labor and a cool refreshing drink! 

  • Singingintherain91

    @Alaina – Cute! Love the idea of braiding the straps!
     @Marissa – Press on! Moving is rough and I can’t believe you even have time to post at all. You go girl!

  • sash

    Nice especially with the white belt.  Good redo!

  • sash

    Nice especially with the white belt.  Good redo!

  • Vanessa

    Alaina – Awesome redo!   Great job changing it up and the idea of the braided straps is fantastic!  Plus the white belt just finishes it off perfectly!  Hope you get to enjoy it many times this summer. :)

  • Lent

    Wow, Alaina, this is awesome!  I’m not so much a dress person, but I love this and would wear it… might have to look for a dress to do this myself!

  • Kissem37

    So cute! You really notice how nice the pattern is in the after shot- it was completely overshadowed by that hideous collar! 
    I can really empathize with the stresses of moving, Marissa- I’ve moved at least 17 times and it never gets easier! Treat yourself to something special for all the hard work you’ve put in :)

  • ncjasminegem

    Very cute, Alaina! The braided straps are a definate plus!

  • Rebecca Williams

    Adorable!!

  • Leslie K

    Cute update.  The braided straps are a great idea.

  • btejkl

    so cute. Ihave been focusing on re-doing dresses and skirts.  Love them for the summer.

  • http://thatuncomfortableitch.blogspot.com/ That Uncomfortable Itch

    That’s truly adorable. I would never have thought to make it that way.

  • Olivia T

    Wow…that original dress was truly hideous.  And now it’s uber-cute!  And cost WAY less than anything in Anthropologie.  Great work and thanks for getting my creative juices running!

  • http://thosetricks.com/ Those Tricks

    Great Transformation, Alaina!!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WAFNRC7SOWSJILA5RCVUQMZ2V4 Sara G.

    Cute! This is really similar to how I did my dress transformation (which I sent to Marisa, but I don’t think she got it because it was months ago and I’ve never heard back :P ). It’s such a comfy and chic style!

  • gehrig82

    I found it funny that you posted the “Serenity Now” bit from Seinfeld. One of my cat’s names is Serenity and when she was still just a kitten she would attack your arm like no one’s business. When my sister first met her she thought the name Serenity was a bit out of character and referenced the “serenity now” bit. I’d never seen it and was just today thinking about trying to find it. So, thanks, and keep up the awesome clothes!

  • Janelle

    THAT’S MY (former) ROOMMATE!!! WAY TO GO ALAINA!!!

    Love this blog, by the way. Alaina and I talk about you like we know you personally. “Did you see what Marisa did today?” etc.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EMV2CIRIJU4IQNO3EOGEO7RFDY erin

      my friend and i do the same :)  

  • Alaina

    Thank you so much for choosing to feature my redo! I love your blog so much, and it’s what inspired me to get a sewing machine and try my hand at all this. Keep doing what you are doing, you are such an inspiration! 

    • Judy B.

      Hey, Alaina! This turned out GREAT. I too was inspired by Marisa to get a sewing machine. I just wonder two things: Where did the extra material come from–the top half? And what did you do with the other ends of the braids–sew them or just tie them or . . . ?

      • Alaina

        The extra material came from the back of the top half, and then I just tied the tops of the braids.

  • Cathryn

    Great job, Alaina! I love the braided straps and the elastic at what is now the top of the dress is perfect!

  • Gracie

    this is insanely cute!!! i would buy this!!!

  • Zouzous_petals

    That was a very timely post.  We are in escrow with a closing date that is fast approaching and documents needed on a seemingly hourly basis….plus packing up an entire 4 bedroom house with 2 children underfoot at all times and an escapee cat trying to run away.  I was definitely in desperate need of a reminder of “Serenity Now….Sanity Later”.  Thank you for being a bright spot in my days.:)   Wishing you luck in your endeavors. 

  • CJ

    Multiple hours? As in “We’ll be there between noon and 3″… Ouch haha glad its almost over. Lovely dress by Alaina :)

  • http://thegirlintheheartglasses.weebly.com/ The Girl in the Heart Glasses

    oooo ilove that alaina!!!! great job!!! now i have a new idea for what to do with those skirts from the thrift store :) o and marisssa can’t wait to see the “serious photo documentation!”

  • http://www.southcountygirl.blogspot.com Southcountygrl

    I never thought to do that to the dress! That’s cute and WAYYY better then the original :)

  • legalbeagle

    I find your blog to be so inspiring.  Keep up the great work.

  • Babywoofs

    LOVE THIS!

  • Jjayme26

    Wow this is adorable!! So inspiring to see how something so yucky turns out to be so fab!

  • Jjayme26

    Wow this is adorable!! So inspiring to see how something so yucky turns out to be so fab!