So the photo that I had pulled from this dress that I've had hanging on my rack for months ended up not being correct. Of course - I saw ruffles and a floral pattern and thought I had it when in fact I never shot the piece! Party foul, Maris! To give you a complete idea of what this piece looked like before, I found two PERFECT dresses that would most definitely work for a 'If They Mated' segment a la Conan O'Brien. (Here's a vintage clip...)
The dress basically looked like this except it was knee length and cotton. There was sheer lace in a V shape, cascading ruffles with lace trim, and more ruffles at the bottom of the piece with lace trim. Pretty much this in a nutshell...
...with a floral pattern like below.
Basically a shortened version of #1 with the pattern of #2. Got it? Feel prepared? Let's finish it up!
I began with some dye! I liked the pattern on the dress but I was ready to liven up the rest of the piece - the lace, all the trim, the ribbon. I started a hot water wash, grabbed RIT Dye in Purple along with some salt, and began my dye bath.
Before I added my dress to the full washing machine, I brought it to my sink and wet it completely. This step helps with even dye distribution!
After the dress was all pretty and purple, I trimmed the crinoline that was underneath the piece. No tulle for me today!
I had some leftovers that will work for any ballet costume or recital now! (Time to get back into classes!)
Now it was time to attack the lace. I liked the hints of lace on the dress, but there was just too much going on. I started removing bits here and there...
...first at the edges of the ruffles at the top of the dress, then at the ruffles at the bottom of the dress.
I had lots of lace leftover!!
Also the more I looked at the sheer lace V up top, the less I liked it. It felt a little too costumey, so I trimmed this area out and used the V as my guide as I trimmed along.
After all the color changing and lace removal, I had a super pretty purple dress!
I think the lessening of the lace made it feel a little more everyday - a little more boho/less Dolly Parton/like something you could find at Urban Outfitters.
I loved that the hint of the floral pattern still peeks through the purple too!
It was such a comfortable dress to wear out and about...
...and to eat yummy treats in. Yeah, I took that Boston Creme cupcake down!! (PS, I just found a ridic recipe thanks to Pinterest for anyone else who's interested! We'll have to bake and share :)
