116 Days to Go: $1 Remake

So the photo that I had pulled from this dress that I’ve had hanging on my rack for months ended up not being correct.  Of course – I saw ruffles and a floral pattern and thought I had it when in fact I never shot the piece!  Party foul, Maris!

To give you a complete idea of what this piece looked like before, I found two PERFECT dresses that would most definitely work for a ‘If They Mated’ segment a la Conan O’Brien.  (Here’s a vintage clip…)

The dress basically looked like this except it was knee length and cotton.  There was sheer lace in a V shape, cascading ruffles with lace trim, and more ruffles at the bottom of the piece with lace trim.  Pretty much this in a nutshell…

Little mix of this...

…with a floral pattern like below.

Little mix of that...

Basically a shortened version of #1 with the pattern of #2.  Got it?  Feel prepared?  Let’s finish it up!

I began with some dye!  I liked the pattern on the dress but I was ready to liven up the rest of the piece – the lace, all the trim, the ribbon.  I started a hot water wash, grabbed RIT Dye in Purple along with some salt, and began my dye bath.

Salt N'Dye!

Before I added my dress to the full washing machine, I brought it to my sink and wet it completely.  This step helps with even dye distribution!

Mmm Purple!

After the dress was all pretty and purple, I trimmed the crinoline that was underneath the piece.  No tulle for me today!

Just a little too much pouff!

I had some leftovers that will work for any ballet costume or recital now!  (Time to get back into classes!)

Who needs a tutu!!

Now it was time to attack the lace.  I liked the hints of lace on the dress, but there was just too much going on.  I started removing bits here and there…

Lace Removal!

…first at the edges of the ruffles at the top of the dress, then at the ruffles at the bottom of the dress.

Lace up top!

I had lots of lace leftover!!

Just some of the trimmings!

Also the more I looked at the sheer lace V up top, the less I liked it.  It felt a little too costumey, so I trimmed this area out and used the V as my guide as I trimmed along.

After all the color changing and lace removal, I had a super pretty purple dress!

Day 116 - After

I think the lessening of the lace made it feel a little more everyday – a little more boho/less Dolly Parton/like something you could find at Urban Outfitters.

From the back!

I loved that the hint of the floral pattern still peeks through the purple too!

I'm taking you down Boston Creme Pie cupcake!!

It was such a comfortable dress to wear out and about…

So delicious in my mouth!!!!

…and to eat yummy treats in.  Yeah, I took that Boston Creme cupcake down!!  (PS, I just found a ridic recipe thanks to Pinterest for anyone else who’s interested!  We’ll have to bake and share