Christine’s NDAD Creation

Feb 9, 2013 | 15 Comments

Today’s remake comes from Christine.  I loved that she’s a DIY’er herself, making keepsake mother/daughter jewelry.  I figured since it’s right before Valentine’s Day, this would be a lovely tie in!

Marisa –  I have been following you for a long time and watching your journey!  How much you have grown and changed from 365 dress remakes to your own book, and meeting celebrities on TV! In the process you have been a ray of sunshine and an inspiration to thousands of women!  You have been an inspiration to me as well, remaking a few things here and there, but you have also been inspiring to me in the business sense.  I am following my dream by creating keepsake mother/daughter jewelry, but I am on a shoestring budget as well.  Trying to move my business forward, I was able to get some professional photos with my daughter to model my jewelry, but what to wear?  Digging through my closet, I found a outdated dress from a thrift store that needed a modern re-do…

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Upcycle

Christine – Before

…it was several years ago, cost $7.50, and still had the tags on it, and I never had a chance to wear it. What will Christine do?!? I found a pattern (for $1) that I knew would be perfect for this piece.  

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Upcycle

McCalls pattern in the house!

I hacked the top of the dress off first and then took some lace leftover in my scraps bin.  I pinned the lace to the dress and then sewed it on.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Upcycle

Linda Lovelace!!!

For a lack of time, and not wanting to hem double layers, I scrunched up the bottom hem all the way around with 8 safety pins “Marisa style”! It was so much fun! 

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Upcycle

Safety Pins = Marisa’s BFF

The after looked like this!!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Upcycle

Christine – After

I ended up wearing it not only for the mother/daughter photo shoot…

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Upcycle

Mama & Daughter!

…but for Christmas too!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Upcycle

Christine & her beautiful family!!

(Oh, PS, my daughter’s red dress is a remake too.  We cut the sleeves off of a “hand-me-down” dress to make it sleeveless.)  Thanks Marisa!  I have learned a lot from you and have had so much fun looking for my email every day from New Dress a Day to see what creative thing you are making or doing.   And…you always look marvelous!  All the best to you! Keep those dress remakes coming!  XOXO, Christine Christine, you are absolutely darling!  I love the stunning family holiday pic and you look AMAZING!!  I love your spirit and am so humbled that you have found so much inspiration through NDAD.  You made my day. XO right back atcha!!  For more info on Christine’s work, check out her Etsy store, HERE!

Lucky Lucky Lucky Magazine is the ultimate shopping magazine subscription. Each issue includes thousands of items ranging from clothes and jewelry to beauty products and accessories. Handy stickers help you mark the pages you love, and special features show comparable products in every price range to help you match the latest fashion trends on a budget. Shopping guides help you find trendy boutiques and hot sales in you area, and each issue features an exclusive only for Lucky readers.


  • Sue

    Lovely, would love to see a full length pic of the after.

    Went to your Etsy site and you have some beautiful jewelry. I have very small wrists so the fact that you can make them smaller is a plus. :)

  • Jennifer

    One word – WOW!!!! Who would have known that the dress was once so plain? The finished dress looks so couture. You have a very lovely family, too!

  • Jaci

    Christine, that remake is gorgeous!!

  • Diana

    You shouldn’t be surprised, Marisa. Your site is an inspiration to so many people, and it’s opened our eyes to look past the piece in front of us to what it can be… Christine, GREAT job!

  • Sarah_H.

    Marisa, I second that; you are such an inspiration. I know that reading you has loosened my thinking about making and remaking things. Having been in the fashion business, I tend to be tied to the sewing rules as it were….not any more. Christine, this is a truly innovative re-make. That hem is totally cool! And I love the jewelry you are doing. I have a daughter and granddaughter, and I am thinking Christmas presents here….

  • midnightcoiler

    What talent, Christine! Lovely family too.

  • Diane

    This is lovely! And I love the picture with your lovely daughter, as well – off to look at your Etsy shop!

  • http://www.thestylizedwannabe.com/ ashleigh

    How beautiful! I love the safety pin hem. So easy and gorgeous.

  • carol

    Amazing transformation! The dress looks really elegant and classy. I too second everything she said, Marisa. Wishing you the best in your jewelry venture, Christine. Everything looks really pretty and feminine.

  • http://www.facebook.com/marie.roxanne.3 Marie Roxanne

    It would have been nice to see the bottom after you are wearing it instead of on the form. I can’t see how it would look like on a person. But it looks pretty and easy to make!
    You did a great job with the lace part and neckline.
    Marissa, you are an inspiration to many, don’t you ever forget that!

  • Shelley

    Gorgeous remake!!!! And you have a lovely family Christine!

  • Christine Pankow

    Thanks so much everyone! I am blushing! And thanks so very much Marisa! Love your vision and inspiration! OOOPS! I sent you the cropped family picture! Here is the full length!

  • Judy B

    Very impressive! Both the lace and the ‘scrunching’ were great ideas, and the result is just beautiful!

  • Boatgirl

    Beautiful transformation! It’s fun to see how combining ready-made sad garments with additions/modifications from commercial patterns can work so well and seem so effortless! The end result looks so professional.

  • http://twitter.com/MeHitGirl Hit Girl

    AMAZING!!!!