Liz’s NDAD Creation

Feb 2, 2013 | 20 Comments

Liz kind of blew my mind with her dress that she sent my way because I was just looking through magazines and ripped out a page with Jennifer Aniston wearing a plaid peplum Gucci dress from her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Jennifer Aniston - Gucci Peplum Dress

Jennifer Aniston rockin Gucci!

Her piece totally reminded me of it!  Check it out…

I have sewn simple things for years, resizing large shirts for myself and my friends and such, but your website inspired me to go much further!  I bought this white lace shirt/dress years ago at a local second-hand store because I loved the lace however because it was just a straight tube, it made my curvy body look huge.  I was just going to resize it to make it fit me better, until…

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycled Dress - Vintage

White Dress – BEFORE

 …last year when I found this houndstooth dress at a really cheap thrift store in Montana!  I probably spent less than $9 on the two.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycled Dress - Vintage

Houndstooth Dress – BEFORE

A month or so ago I went dress shopping and found an amazing dress on sale for $45 (normally $70) with a white lace top and a great peplum skirt that zipped up past my hips and waist but got stuck at my ribs and bust.  I left brokenhearted, but then just the next day, was totally inspired.

Let us see how inspired Liz really got!

Burdastyle posted an instructional (Click here for instructional!) about how to make a peplum and out of coincidence I was going through my stash of “sewing goals” that night and found the white lace top/dress and got inspired.  I matched it up with the houndstooth and a bit of extra quilting fabric and after a mock up on the floor, I got started. 

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycled Dress - Vintage

Mock Up!

I took the sleeves off the houndstooth dress and ripped out the seams up the center to flatten them out.  I cut the bottom part of the dress to the right length so I could keep the hem because I hate hemming!  I took in the sides of the skirt, and put darts in the top to make them both more fitted. I pinned the houndstooth bottom to the white top and sewed it in place. Following the Burdastyle instructional, I used the remaining fabric to construct the peplum, giving it a wider diameter than my waist so that I could gather it in sections.  I sewed the peplum in place, then the waistband…and then I cut down the center back.  It took some fiddling, but I got the zipper in the back just right so that it zipped up past my bust!  Finally, I took one of your hints and gathered the center of the bust line to create a deeper neckline. 

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycled Dress - Vintage

Le fin.

In the end, I love this dress.  I wore it to a Montana wedding (that’s my beau in the pic) and it lasted the night.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycled Dress - Vintage

AFTER with her beau!

This dress has become part go-to wardrobe and I am just so glad I took the plunge!  Thanks for the inspiration Marisa!  Soon I’ll send you pictures of my own muumuu transformation!

 I LOVE THIS DRESS, Liz!!  The best part is that it’s so on trend and looks identical to things I’ve seen in the store.  I’m obsessed that you made this work for you – there’s nothing like a dress that fits you to a T, and you worked it out!  I’m looking forward to that muumuu…

  • Sue

    Way to go. Loving it.

  • Connie

    This dress looks great. It looks like a designer dress and you made it flatter you too. Great job.

  • Kartunista Wannabe

    Wow, that’s an amazing transformation!

  • http://www.facebook.com/tollyfaye Tolly Bockbrader

    Amazing!! Makes me want to go thrifting!

  • Cathryn

    That’s lovely, Liz! I like the comment, “it lasted the night.” That’s the way I feel when I sew something, hoping it will hold together! BTW, you’re date is a cutie!

  • Boatgirl

    Wow! What a transformation! Your new dress is gorgeous and fits you so well. I’m inspired to try this myself … I’m off to the thrift shop!

  • CaraMarie

    OBSESSED with this transformation! Wow Liz, that looks like a high-end boutique piece and I LOVE it! :)

  • Sarah_H.

    I love the peplum you created! Such a great looking dress and so on-style too.

  • Lena A

    Hi Liz! UAU! You are a very bold Lady! Matching Lace with check? I wouldn’t dare! But iy REALLY works out! Congratulations!!!!
    Marisa Thanks for this Post!
    Kisses from Portugal!

  • Shelley

    That was amazeballs!!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Doti-Roraback/100001091044801 Doti Roraback

    Love this creation. I have a pattern shop on line and just got Mccalls 4063 where they make the peplum separate and wear it like a cummberbund.

  • http://www.facebook.com/kate.martin.90226 Kate Martin

    Nice work — looks great on you!

  • Judy B

    LOVE the finished product–and less than $9, that’s AWESOME!!

  • Bernice

    Brilliant!! Great job!

  • Jennifer

    I’m definitely feeling this dress. It’s a stunner! It flatters your figure so well, and like the crowd says, it looks like a high-end designer dress. It makes you look like a bombshell, and your cutie pie SO makes a great accessory. ;)

  • Laura Whitman

    Liz, you did such a great job! So perfect. :)

    xoxo,
    Laura

  • KJ

    genius!

  • Ann Shettles

    Wow that looks beautiful. An amazing change.

  • nunu

    this rocks sooooo hard. LOVE IT!

  • Christie

    Oh my gosh! this is fabulous – waaay better than the original. you are sewers/designers are all so amazing!