Kelsey’s NDAD Creation

Mar 10, 2013 | 34 Comments

I’ve got three words for today’s piece – “Holy sequins, Batman!!”  You’ll see what I mean in 3, 2, 1…

Hi Marisa!  I’ve been thrifting most of my life, so it’s really fun for me to guess what you’re going to come up with!  When my grandma sent me this dress to “do something with,”  I knew I had to share it with you – it’s reminiscent of a glam linebacker and the sequins are right up your alley!

New Dress A Day - DIY - upcycle - vintage dress

Kelsey – Before

Not only are the sequins right up my alley, we literally share a parking space in the carport!!  I CANNOT wait to see how this turns out.

I didn’t change the piece too much, but note the itchy, itchy shoulder “pads”!  Yeah, I got rid of those, and the sleeves,  immediately.

New Dress A Day - DIY - upcycle - vintage dress

Tulle!!

Now it’s something a bit more 60s to fit in with the rest of my wardrobe.  Ta-da!  I’m all set for New Year’s Eve!

New Dress A Day - DIY - upcycle - vintage dress

Kelsey – After

Happy 2013, Marisa!

Happy 2013 to you too Miss K!  I love this dress so much. I would buy this dress immediately if I saw it at a store.  I hope you get many uses out of this dress because it’s insane and you look stunning.  Your grandmother has excellent taste and I hope she’s pleased with the “do something with this” part :)

In all · Reader Creations
  • Sue

    BIG improvement. :)

  • Kathy

    Kelsey, your grandmother rocks. I love this dress. I love what you did with it.

    • newdressaday

      Her grandmother totally rocks!

  • audrey

    Absolutely beautiful grand-me-downs! What did you do with the sequined sleeves?

  • Sarah_H.

    It is cute! Very now with the slightly longer skirt. My first thought was to take whatever scraps were left for accessories….purse, whatever. Are you going to play with the sleeves?

  • anna

    As soon as I saw the original photo my first thought was: “This would be so cool without the sleeves!” WOW! It’s fantastic in its new style. Like the slightly longer length, too. Gives it a fun but elegant look. Great redo!

    • newdressaday

      I love it too, Anna!

  • Mary

    I literally just said “CUTE” aloud. That could have turned out so tacky but it’s adorable. And the perfect shape. Well done!

  • http://twitter.com/WeLoveQuilting Chris Wheeler

    This is beautiful and for some reason I see a black belt or some type of big belt with it.. Just me.. maybe no one else see a belt but I think this is a beautiful dress and I could not cut it up .. Glad she did!!! A black velvet belt is what I am thinking with some beautiful buckle to match.

  • http://www.facebook.com/hatlady1962 Rebecca Carol Lindsay

    ME WANT TO BUY SLEEVES!!!!
    (seriously, please sell me the sleeves!)

    • Kelsey

      Hi Rebecca! There’s not a whole lot left of the sleeves because I used them for the armscye facings, but there are definitely some uses left for the scraps! I’d be happy to mail them to you. Email me an address at kelseybrow [at] gmail [dot] com!

  • http://kurtzcrafts.blogspot.com/ Melissa Kurtz

    simple alter, but amazing after effects! Love it!

    • newdressaday

      I love when the alterations are simple enough to make a world of difference!!

  • Christie

    I want that dress! Love it!

  • Anne

    Looks great! A narrow black belt would look good, too!

  • http://www.facebook.com/lisamacgardiner Lisa Macomber Gardiner

    adorable your haircut is cute to !

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

    Wow, amazing what that one simple change did for this dress. Now it’s a total head-turner, and looks fantastic on you. Well done!

  • Boatgirl

    This one is stunning! It is amazing how one tiny change can make such a HUGE difference. I agree with the other person who commented about the narrow belt. It looks great “as is” but that would make a very up-to-date finishing touch. This dress turned out great and Kelsey, you look great in it! I hope you kept the sleeves because it looks like you have many bidders!

  • Boatgirl

    This one is stunning! It is amazing how one tiny change can make such a HUGE difference. I agree with the other person who commented about the narrow belt. It looks great “as is” but that would make a very up-to-date finishing touch. This dress turned out great and Kelsey, you look great in it! I hope you kept the sleeves because it looks like you have many bidders!

  • joeysgal3

    rock the marissa poses, too!

  • carol

    Wow. That is beautiful fabric and a beautiful dress!

  • Dagmar

    I just saw this fabulous dress & what you did with it. I agree with the person who said your grandmother has amazing style & wow………you just did a great job of continuing this dress’ life!

  • Meghan Elizabeth

    great job, such a cute party dress!

  • Lovestosew

    Love it, Love it, Love it!

  • Shelley

    Totally amazeballs! And looked like ’twas easy too!

  • Tonya Renee

    Great job, Kelsey.

  • ENFRIDA

    BELLOOO
    VERAMENTE BELLO

  • kissem37

    Just incredible. I could tell that it had potential, but I had no idea that such a little tweak would turn this into a totally rockin dress!

  • Jen

    I would buy this in a second! Fabulous!

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

    Was sewing the sequined fabric difficult? I’d probably be too intimidated by it to try!

    • Kelsey

      It wasn’t the easiest, but I wouldn’t say you shouldn’t try!! I had to re-attach a few that fell off when I did the armsyce facings.

  • Boo

    Wow! Just removing the sleeves makes the whole fit of the dress look different. Amazing!

  • jebandamy

    Beautiful!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=697540742 Nadine Gurto

    I giggle-snorted when I read ‘glam linebacker’ and understood immediately when I scrolled down and saw the dress! Such a simple alteration with such huge impact. Love it