86 Days to Go: $1 Remake

Jul 25, 2012 | 49 Comments

Another remake from the Carolinas!!

PS, apologies for the tragicness going on on my head right now.  Quick pre-shoot barrette move, not so good.

Pink jacket time!!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Before - 86

Day 86 - Before

I got it mostly because of the Carmen Marc Valvo tag.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Carmen Marc Valvo - 86

CMV!

For a buck I just couldn’t resist.  It fit me well, but it wasn’t something I’d actually choose to wear.  It needed some punch, so that’s what I gave it.  To the moon, Alice!!

There were these embellished flowers (or what looked like flowers) on the top which triggered an idea.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Before ECU - 86

Embellished fabric!

I grabbed some paint and decided to fill a few of these flowers in.  I love the magenta, so I figured a soft pink and green shade would work well.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress -Tulip Paint - 86

Fabric Paint Choices!!

I set up my paint station and grabbed some Q-Tips (they were small enough to fit in the shapes)…

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Paint Palette - 86

Artist's Palette

…and began to paint away!!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Q Tip Painting - 86

Q-Tippin'

I picked a few flowers on each side to fill in, keeping the pattern more random.  Once the pink was filled in, I went to the green next.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Painting Flowers - 86

Filling in flowers!

After letting the piece sit in the sun and dry out for a few hours, it was finished and ready to go!!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - After Look - 86

Day 86 - After

I loved the extra bit of character the paint gave.  It really turned a simple piece into something really special.  I wore it proud as I made dinner for the whole NC family.  Lots of fish tacos, cilantro lime rice, and margaritas!!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Margaritas - 86

BartenDRESS!!

I had to bring a little taste of California out with me.  Best part is that we’ve got leftovers!  Breakfast burritos anyone?

In all · Dollar Dress Remakes
  • trisherama

    I love this one! The jacket looks priceless. 

  • Asuult

    About one year ago, I read about you in Yahoo’s main page. Since that time I constantly visiting you webpage. But now it’s been long time… Nothing has changed! Nothing new, nothing different. I expect you a lot. But you still stock with the old ones. You know, I like you, that’s why I am telling you this.

    Need to change, need to move forward. Do not stuck where you were. I am die hard fan from Mongolia. Hope some day I will find of you are in the different place. You took one step, now is the time to move!

    Love

    • Hcwilliams620

      She got a book deal so I’d say she’s doing fine

    • Dee

      Hahaha, Really?!?   This ^ made me chuckle.

    • DinaB

      Something must have been lost in translation… Marisa, you have a great blog that many people get inspiration and ideas from. With (I’m sure) new followers weekly, it is good to remind us how to do some of the tweeks that you are famous for.

    • Wannabe Designer

       Okay, so I disagree and agree with this. I just read in a book on creativity that criticism is necessary for creative growth. I think Marissa has switched it up a lot since she first started, and this piece is an example of that. However, I would like to see some more advanced sewing techniques incorporated into the pieces, such as adding pleats to sleeves, turning a regular shirt hem to a fishtail, venturing into pants territory, playing with necklines, to name a few.

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/3DRRZR36XZSTQSLON4LXERKRHA Stephanie

         Have to disagree with the advanced sewing techniques.  I really thought that was the whole point of this site, to provide guidance/inspiration to fix things up who don’t have a great deal of experience/time/money.  Anything more advanced and it no longer becomes applicable to the masses.  You might suggest perhaps an “Advanced Placement” class once a month or something similar!

  • Maureen

    Oh cute w/ adding some pazzzzazzz to the jacket!
    Fish tacos ..yum…. Had them when I lived in Phoenix!

  • Billiarddragon

    Looking good! I think it would also be great as an open vest with the sleeves taken out.  Save me a Margarita!

    • newdressaday

       Ha, will do!  Cadillacs for everyone!

  • Lisa Carter339

    Cute! I like it a lot – great job!

  • Natchez

    This one’s a WOW!  Absolutely love it!

  • Lilli Vero

    I didn’t even finish my last project, now you infected me with a new one. I’m gonna keep my eyes open for a piece like this.

  • J. Kellee

    I think this would have made a really cute V-neck vest. I love your site, I am always anxious to see what you do with these pieces – most times I try to guess the changes you will make before I continue to see the re-do and I am always wrong. Your vision is great as well as your personal style! Don’t listen to Asuult – you are not stuck. You started with a year long personal challenge and from that you have grown and progressed to gaining national attention on various shows and a book deal. Not sure what “stuck” looks like where she’s from, but honey, this ain’t it!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

  • Poindextra

    Wow – I was skeptical, but that looks really good!

  • Amanda Davis

    LOL I totally was skeptical too, but this is one of my favs now!   SOOOO CUTE!

  • Edith

    I especially liked your idea of painting in the flowers & leaves……….

    • newdressaday

       Thank you!!

  • Sue Kol

    I love this! The result is so unexpectedly (for me) cute!

    I had a general question about fabric paint.
    Does the paint stay as is after a wash?

  • Noseringirl

    cute! I thought you might go the vest route though…

  • Smtremel

    If you are in Charlotte again you should stop by Landmark Dinner.  Yummy food.

  • a_jay30

    When I first read fabric paint, I was a little skeptical.  BUT, you surprised me, and I think it’s really cute.  The soft pink and green add some contrast and give the piece even more personality.  Way to go!

    P.S.  Well intended criticism can be a good thing when constructive.  Anything less than that should be dismissed.  Just remember how far you’ve come since you first started out, the countless lives you’ve touched and please know that for each well deserved comment on your awesomeness, there are plenty more people who admire and respect what you’ve done that probably never post.

    Heck, I even admire the fact that you’ve put yourself out here for us “experts” to even take part and comment.  Not too many of us are brave enough to open ourselves up to an experience like that.  Keep up the good work!

    • Btejkl

      I totally agree with you. Marisa has inspired me to try new things. Not everything turns out great but some do. Marisa, I give you so much credit for allowing all of us to peek inside your closet. I know that if I were to do the same, some of you would like what you see and others, not so much. It is my own personal style. Thank you for helping so many of us with your creativity.

      Ps. Can’t wait for the book:)

    • newdressaday

       So sweet you guys! Thanks :)

  • Storyteller Mary

    Bold work and so cute!!  

  • http://www.facebook.com/hidesama Ren Akuma

    I’m just going to tell you what I told my fiance about his hawaiian shirt collection… you are far too young to wear something that looks made for a retiree to wear in Miami Beach. 

    • jen

      amen to that.

    • Olivia

       Totally disagree. Ren & Jen probably buy their style off the rack.

      • http://www.facebook.com/hidesama Ren Akuma

         Sorry, Olivia, but you’re way off the mark here. I shop vintage and thrift store, mainly. I also sew a lot of my own clothing, because my size is difficult to find.
        Sometimes, Marissa does amazing things with her remakes. And sometimes, it’s awful. Frankly, if I were her, I’d want someone to tell me  honestly what they think, rather than blindly kiss ass.

  • Judy B.

    Love it! Actually, I loved the ‘before’ and was kind of hoping you wouldn’t do anything to it–but the paint is very cute and does improve it.

  • http://twitter.com/jodywallace Jody Wallace

    Wasn’t sure what you could do to that, but I do like “dressy” items paired with jeans! Fun contrast.

  • Saige

    Too cute!!

  • Sarah_H.

    I didn’t think it could be improved. I was wrong. Awesome!

  • Diane2809

    Personally I love it! Now I wanna paint, too!

  • Susankay49

    I would NEVER have thought of that!

  • Susan

    Amazing!  This one went from granny to glam with just a few strokes.  Keep up the good work.  I cannot wait to see what you will come up with next!

  • Janaorourke

    Great call!

  • Quinna

    LOVE IT.

  • susan

    Love it!  Great job!  Thanks for sharing.

  • Lovestosew

    Wow, those pops of color are great, I love it!

  • devoted reader

    This site is about giving people ideas of what to do with vintage pieces as well as things in all of our closets.  I love checking in each day to see cool remakes and I’m hoping that someday I’ll see a before picture that’s the same as something I have.  Yay Marisa!!

  • Tollyfaye

    I am kinda annoyed at people writing snarky remarks.  Marisa probably loves some things more than others. If you don’t like it, move on. Noone makes you read it. She is brave to share. And she is super busy, even if I could sew and make cool things, if it were my blog it would show me wearing cool outfits to sit on the couch, check my fb,  or water flowers. This chick is always busy and on the go!

  • Rachael (Frugal Faye)

    She does it again….!  :)  

    Rachael @ Frugal Faye

    • newdressaday

       Woo! Thanks mama!

  • Suvikki from Finland

    Supercute!

  • Gamarho

    Love it!

  • Chris

    Cute! I love it! 

  • Meredith

    Marisa, I LOVE this one! And I am not “kissing ass” as some called it. :0)

  • Stephanie

    There is something vaginal looking about that texture, LOL! I like the painting you did on it, and the shape is pretty darling 60′s Parisian if you ask me, which someone should, because that is what I would tell them. Might look cute over a black shift dress and some D’Orsay heels, ala Audrey Hepburn. xoxox