4 Days to Go: I Need Your Input & Wedding Shoes!

Oct 11, 2012 | 81 Comments

First off, I’m beginning to gather my upcoming celebratory outfits (birthday is Monday, book arrives Tuesday (still have time to pre-order here !), LA book launch Thursday) and have had this one hanging on the rack for a while. I really love the lace detail, however the length is wrong, there’s some yellowing spots on the skirt, and simply needs some help!

I turn to you… I want to change this up and make it a brand new, fun colored dress to wear while kicking up my heels! (Oh, and the heels will just be matched to whatever color we end up going with!)

New Dress A Day _- DIY - Vintage Dress - Lace

What to dye?!

What do you guys think! What shade do you think would be perfect for this? Something bold, something bright, something subtle?? I’d love to hear and take your ideas with me to the washing machine for a dye party

OK, now on to today’s project! We’re working with rhinestones today!!

Rhinestone Medley!

Nothing makes me happier than rhinestones. I dreamt about being in The Goonies just to be able to have sat in One-Eyed Willie’s boat of treasures…

Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!

…and then been able to use the jewels…

The Goonies Jewels!!!

…to save Sean Astin’s house!

Lil’ Sean Astin

Yeah, I have an imagination. Back to the project…

I took the rhinestones and started to make two matching designs, because I’m making shoe clips for my bride-to-be friend Rachel! I’m giving her the “something blue” for her big day!

Designing stones!

I took some white felt and trimmed little squares from it…

Felt Square!

…before I glued down the stones to the felt.

Heating up my gun!

Once they were all glued down…

Glued in Place!

…I trimmed around the edges and affixed a shoe clip to the back of the felted rhinestone piece.

Her shoes were these lovely gold sandals! She went to her backup plan when a pair of Stuart Weitzman heels she ordered from a sample sale site to match her dress came in the wrong sizing. No returns equals going with a brand new pair of a staple shoe in her closet…

Wedding Shoes!

…and adding a little bit of glitz to the ends of them, by way of the shoe clips!

Something Blue!

She’s ready to go for Sunday, except the navy pants will be substituted with a gown. A fun bit of glitz to make the shoes pop! More pics of these guys in action will come in a few days…

Sue

I think my sister in AZ would love to have those.
Sue

Oh… my favorite color is purple. So whatever you are able to make of this hideous dress, I can see it in any shade of purple.
sandra

You can try to make it two toned or use two contrasting colors by coloring the dress and lace separately. Love the shoe clips, simple and fun!
Dee

Wow, those shoe clips looks great, and are the perfect touch of ‘something blue!’
As for dying the dress… I say dark teal or maybe wine.
bloepper

probably a bit late now, but having just caught up on your bride’s veil antics, i thought a metallic-looking color might work well – something coppery/rusty but not too brash. you wear any color well though!
Gerlinde

Ah, Marisa, heaps one could do with the thing, yet you’ve to feel comfy in it since YOU have to wear it – our opinion(s) might be interesting but not decision making.
You could make it even a 3 peace: Lace top off; cut into top and skirt (whilst even using the skirt upside down as tulip)
If the lace part hasn’t any darts – reverse round for jacket; sleeves half length (yes, not quite yours style – hence first sentence and this only for an idea! )
The leftover lace from the cut sleeves worked over into something like an (perhaps split) insert from the breasts up to a collar shape as current just made with some material taken from the well sized skirt.
Depends on how short the sleeves of the jacket becomes: maybe even a double split lace part (back and front)?

Just go for it – as long as you keep a cool head during the slightly fiddly job … time is probably the only dangerously restricting part!
Have fun, dear!
Applemoma53

Yes, Coppery would be fun and Fall or teal, whatever color you choos, what about using the ombré method? Another idea would be to use some metallic fabric paint on some of the lace to bring attention to your face and give it dimension and a celebratory sparklle! The teal, wine or copper would be great with gilded lace edges, the way you highlighted the flowers on the veil, that sort of technique. Thanks all the inspirration! I get tons of ideas from you, haven’t sarted on my projects, yet have a few in mind. Looking forward to your creation!
Applemoma53

That would be choose…
Paola

Dye the dress gold!
Jemma

Noooo! I say BRIGHT blue or BRIGHT pink. Very ‘in’ right now!
CindyTF

a nice fall color, wine, or hunter green? maybe i’ve been reading your blog long enough to change my tune…i usually don’t see the potential in the dresses, but i could totally see this one as something current! yay for progress love the shoe clips!
Dorothy

Dye the dress twice. The entire dress one color; then dip-dye the bottom a subtle contrasting/complementary color. Shorten the sleeves or remove. Make the neckline deeper and rounded. Make the waist more fitted. Lastly, maybe do something with the bodice front lining, something about that straight line across doesn’t exactly work for me, but may, after dropping the neckline.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=41603120 Emily Haager

I’m thinking a gray with a bright blue or aqua sash to give it a pop of color.

LinB

Yep. That gets my vote. Keep the high neckline and sleeves — all that lace, swoon — but shorten the skirt. You could also do a dusty pink with aqua sash, or with a silvery grey sash.

kissem37

I vote for dark teal or copper… it’ll be interesting to see how the dye takes to the different fabrics. What it the base of the dress made of?
http://foryourtastebudsonly.blogspot.com/ Roxanne

Keep the lace! Keep the lace! I mean… keep the lace but not as sleeves…. hee hee
Amanda Davis

my vote is for either super bright hot pink or navy blue – I think the lace would look darker than the satin for the navy & that would be pretty….the shoes are adorable, super cute & easy idea!
L

I vote turquoise! That color looks beautiful on you
talsyeb

A pretty bright blue. or a salmon Shorten the dress above the knee, tighten it up.. I vote keep the sleezes.
LindaJ

Go BOLD Marisa! It’s your time to shine! I say remove the sleeves, make it a halter-type dress, and dye it with the boldest color you have. Although I did like the suggestion to ombre-dye it too!
Rachana

I’d say sunset orange, dye it a pale orange first and then dip dye it dark orange on the bottom. Shorten the length till just above the knee and remove the sleeve i.e make it sleeveless. You could add a belt to it. I feel you would look wonderful in it!
karenclark508

I see three colors: The first is, what I would love, a burnt orange (but, that is just because I love fall). The second is a deep emerald green (I think it would look fabulous and super rich with your skin). The third is a turqoise (That might be a little too summer, though).
Beverley

When I first saw the lace top, I thought bolero jacket. I’d say dye the lace part a black or charcoal color and dye the dress a mustard yellow or other bright color. Definitely shorten the dress (a little above the knees?) and take it in. You can also adjust for fall/winter by pairing with tights & boots.
Reeda

Something oxbloody.
Average Jane

I’m thinking fuchsia for the dress. I don’t know what, but it just looks like a design that would work with a bright jewel-tone color like that.
Sharon

The neckline is too eyecatching – makes it look a mile wide – so change up the lace to do your pinch and cinch after taking the lace up I think a midnight blue color would be good for a New Year’s dress up.
demiangie

I agree with some others…keep the lace, lose the sleeves–I always like your strapless and halter dresses best. Make it form-fitting and shorten it up a bit. I like the empire waist if you can keep that. Colors? I think I like the idea of pumpkin hues or greens–they both look good on you–and the dyes always fade a bit, but a subtle pumpkin color still looks good. Have fun whatever you decide to do!
Heather

I see this dress becoming a very cute 1950′s inspired dress. Shorten the skirt- I would keep the lace just make the sleeves fitted. Add a ribbon belt with a bow (or a vintage brooch). I like the ideas of Fall colors as well- perhaps a green or even a pruple would be nice!

Sue

I agree. My vote is for dark green.

AmiAinLA

A burnt orange would be pretty for fall – then could be worn with gold jewelry & shoes – so big this season. . .
ps

I’d do a bright yellow or goldenrod for the dress — it covers the stains, and I’ve been seeing a lot of yellow lately in fashiony places.
Annie

Hi Marisa, Happy soon-to-be birthday and book launch day. Dye the dress to match the color of your book cover. A lovely orangish yellow. Or a lovely yellowish orange.
meg

a really deep turquoise for fall- cut the sleeves to 3/4, round out the neckline, lower the white underlining to where it would be if it were strapless, and take up the lace overlay so it starts where the new underlining stops (sort of a classic 1950′s style). Shorten the dress a bit.

carole

Ooh. that is clever. So the bottom half of the bodice is satin, and the top half is lace? Love that idea.

Susanne

We share a birthday (Woot! High five!). I say persimmon. Definitely persimmon.
www.wom-mom.com

Ok, some people have lots of good suggestions, I’m just thinking you should do something to compliment your book for when you’re holding it for pictures, like a light shade of tangerine, to go with the darker shade of orange of your book; or turquoise, to match some of the flowers on the book and make those pop out. I’ve always thought you looked good in your blue re-styles. Orange would be totally festive though. Good luck! Cute shoe clips
Boatgirl

As it is fall and winter is on it’s way, I’m thinking one of the bright jewel tones that are becoming popular for the season would be beautiful and practical. Maybe a vibrant teal or rich red? You look great in sleeveless dresses (I’m so jealous) but the lace is really unique so I’d go with a 3/4 sleeve. The mock-neck collar is a bit dated and needs to go, but I love the idea of the lace yoke. Maybe remove the rasied part and convert the neckline to more of a crew neck? Hem to above the knee and nip in where needed to accent your curves and you’ll rock this beautuifully!
Shawna

The dress would look lovely with a magenta ombre dye.
suzynoQ

Knee length in the front longer in the back. sleeveless dyed dark blue and if possible keep the lace white.
heather p

Keep the lace! Sweetheart neckline with the white fabric, define the empire waist, and make the hem your favorite length. Dye it eggplant/aubergine
Sarah_H.

Lovely shoe clips!! And you have received soooo many good ideas for the dress. My only comments are that the neck seems too high and the lining neck seems too high, the skirt and the sleeves both too long. Have you thought of gilding the lace? Theatrical costumes are often given a light coat of spray metallic paint….just a thought. (I sewed for the Dallas Ballet for three months once. I never want to see another black velvet doublet.)
Angela

What a FIND! With that white dress. I have seen several Hollywood starlets wearing those long sleeves on a mini dress. I have seen it in a cool limish green, but the one that had me drooling was a deep coral color. I cannot get over what a find this was!!!!!
Vanessa

I say dye it a medium- deep red (to make the lace pop), go sleeveless (halter top), take in the sides so its more form fitting, and bring just above the knee. If you think it’ll work too, pinch & cinch the front to make a heart shaped bodice. Then when complete, IRON IT! Will totally look fabulous with some great heals.
Guest

I like the collar like day 22s for this one with the pinch and cinch to fix the straight line under the lace. Since we are getting closer to cool weather and you will be heading East I like Maroon, nice tights with Brownish boots! Love your redos and Congrats again on your book!!
Cheyenna

I’d say mint green. Or a subtle buttery yellow! If you’re wanting something pop-y..er, bump the mint up to more of a teal.
Dawn Lowe-Wincentsen

I vote to do a gradient dye, dark at the bottom and work to a lighter shade on top. Purple would work well. Then I would trim it to knee length, and add some darts at the waist to make it more fitted. I would leave the sleeves long, just so you don’t lose that lace.
Judy B

Lots of good ideas here already! I especially like: lace as bolero jacket, ombre dying (maybe dark orange-to-yellow), and doing something (like pinch-and-cinch) about that straight, wide neckline. And of course, shorter and more fitted.
Marlo

Go very simple with this dress. Dye it black, shorten it to just above the knee, put darts in the front and back to make it more form fitting, and then pair it with a turquoise shoe. Very Jackie Kennedy.
connie

I recall my mom dyeing my First Communion dress Royal Blue and it was a GREAT color.
Dani Marie

I think that a beautiful bold red would be perfect! Maybe shorten the sleeves an length and add a think black belt or sash. It would look amazing!
champagneforyourbrain

Love the shoe clips! Now pondering which shoes in my closet I need to dress up just so I can try this.
Keenzi

Fun “something blue” idea! Speaking of blue…I’m loving that navy and royl blue are hot colors now and think the dress would look great in either color, with the shoes in a diff fun/bright color for pop/contrast. Whatever the color, definitely shorten it up and show those legs off though! : )
Leanne

Super cool shoe clips! I love them!
And for the dress, I thing it would look great in a canary yellow or a bright, fiery red! I have ideas for how to change the dress itself, but I’ll leave that up to you
Chris

Like a lot of others I’m feeling something in the orange or yellow color range, they suite you well! Definitely knee length or a smidge higher, take it in a little and keep those sleeves! (ok maybe 3/4) The lace is way too awesome to get rid of it, though perhaps do something with the underlying neckline to get rid of that really high straight line, but I think that depends on how the dye is picked up by the respective fabrics.
Kathy

Go dark, not morbidly so though. I say orange for an afternoon wedding. Red for an evening wedding. Shorten it Have a blast!!!
http://www.facebook.com/KaleaKai Cassie M Schoonover

how about some nice fall colors? ombre from a nice deep goldenrod yellow at the top to a deeper pumpkin orange at the bottom
blondie

I agree turquoise is a great color ! Shorten the dress and cut top at top of lace add some really bing straps !! Make it a stappy dress that pops with color !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terri

I must be old-fashioned, but I don’t like flip-flops (even gold ones) with a wedding dress.
Tara

navy blue, like Princess Kate’s Erdem dress from their first day in Canada. That’s the first thing I thought of when I saw this dress.
Shandee Votaw

The lace… must stay! But I agree with others, that the solid portion of the bodice going so high isn’t exactly flattering, tweak that down some (Pinch & cinch mehbee?). Definitely shorten. I am usually a fan of lower necklines, but in this case, I’m thinkin leave it… the lace just looks so pretty! As for color… I’m of two minds on it…go classy and classic with a deep, dark royal blue, paired with a bright orange or Salmon sash/belt. Or go totally funky with it, and do a pink/orange/red combo, taking inspiration from a gorgeous Sari.
Forge

Definitely a bright yellow with teal coloured shoes
http://www.facebook.com/linda.nelson.5876 Linda Nelson

Perfect sixties mini. Just shorten and dye it royal blue. The high neck and long sleeves were very Audrey Hepburn. The lace will probably dye darker than the fabric, so I wouldn’t do ombre. can’t wait!
Megan

Ombre dying something that already has the lovely lace texture (which will probably naturally dye to a different shade) seems like overkill. Stay solid.
vicky

remove the lace top and wear it over a short form fitting little black dress.
Dianna

Even if it’s more summery, my immediate reaction was yellow. I always forget you and I have the same birthday – happy birthday to us soon! I can’t imagine a better birthday than celebrating a book release!
katietailor

well since you said it had some yellow stains maybe it could be yellow. I see you taking the sleeves off and making it shorter, maybe knee length. then take the top and angle from the armpit to the neck line and make the lace a bit tighter around the neck .. kinda like a ragland sleeve but no sleeve .. if this makes sense .. I can see it, not sure I can say it.
Tracie

deep red or dark blue
Kathleen

Deep Turquoise. It will go well with your hair.
BTW, will you be doing a book tour with perhaps a stop in Portland? My eight year old daughter and I love your blog and would love to come to a book-signing.
diane2809

I’d dye it a royal or navy blue, remove the lace collar (it looks like it’s choking you), make the bodice lining into a sweetheart neckline, go with 3/4 sleeves and of course alter the fit. Cut the length to just above the knee. It will be lovely whatever you decide to do!
becca

maybe grey like Lilly’s on this week’s Gossip Girl?
becca

grey like Lilly’s on this week’s Gossip Girl?
Laura Whitman

I’m feeling red for some reason!

xoxo,
Laura
Lovestosew

Go with a Wonder Woman red! A woman in a red dress always looks powerful.
Oh, and I love the shoes. I may have to try this with my own sandals.
Sarah

Shorter the hem (above the knee), take the dress in to be form-fitting, get rid of the lace turtleneck, sweetheart the under-lace material at the bust, and dye the whole thing a jewel tone for fall! (emerald green, sapphire blue, rich purple, ruby red, etc)
ms. mary

I vote for teal/jade – I’m a redhead too and those colors would set it OFF
anita

Bright blue like the small round rhinestones in those cute shoe clips. Shorten hem to knee length, shorten sleeves to above-elbow length, remove stand-up collar for “crewneck” or a little more scooped.
anita

Bright blue like the small round rhinestones in those cute shoe clips. Shorten hem to knee length, shorten sleeves to above-elbow length, remove stand-up collar for “crewneck” or a little more scooped.
physgal

I like meg’s ideas for the dress, but I would go with purple or a nice wine color.
Michelle

coral! keep some of the neckline, and shorten the sleeves and the skirt.
http://www.facebook.com/dina.honeycutt Dina Honeycutt

I have been loving that darker shade of orange I’ve been seeing this fall. I think turning the lace piece into more of a shrug and using the same dye, which would make it a little lighter than the dress. The dress needs to be shorter. I would probably go knee length, but I know you like them shorter! Then add a little contrast belt!
NikzStar

I vote for a wonderful deep turquoise to bring out the color on the shoes!

4 Days to Go: I Need Your Input & Wedding Shoes!

Subscribe

Categories

Follow

Archives

Latest Tweets

Popular Tags

My Latest Pin