91 Days to Go: Sarah T's NDAD Creation

Today's remake comes from my So Cal sista Sarah T!!  I not only loved what she did, but I'm obsessed with her hair.  I'm having some "I want to dye the ends of my hair" feelings and this is just adding to my hair change cravings!

I bought this awesome dress from the 70s at a store called Lost & Found here in Orange, CA (we're not too far from each other!).  It was on the clearance rack for $10, which is less than I usually expect to pay for a good retro dress. I fell in love with the fabric and the pleats in the front, but the bust didn't fit well...

...and the zipper was having issues…

 I'm totally digging this fabric!!  Here, check it out closer...

What did Sarah T do??

I turned it into a skirt!  I just sliced it up, ripped out the zipper, finished up that seam, and made an elastic waist.  This is something I do a lot with dresses, as I have trouble with fit in my bust area - I don't let it stop me! :)

I love your blog, keep up the awesome work. Sorry for the terrible photo booth pics, I was too excited to take better ones!

I think this turned out awesome Sarah!  From no fit, to new skirt that works with tees and tanks!  I think that this will look fabulous in the fall/winter paired with some opaque tights and boots too!!  Keep it up my local lass, S!!

92 Days to Go: $1 Remake

I went with this lovely find today - $1, a little too frumpsters, but made of a super fun red/black patterned fabric.  I love this color combo, so I bought this as soon as I got my hands on it.

It just didn't excite me, but with a few changes, it'll pull a 180!!

First off, the pads!!

You know the drill...they got taken out!

I hit the sleeves next.  It was gloriously hot today and I will not be wearing cuffs at my wrist.  I trimmed both sleeves off...

...and pinned them in place.

I hit the neckline next.  I cut a triangle out of the front and back of the dress as I wanted a V to be created on the front and back of the piece.

With the neck trimmed, I pinned it down...

...and began to sew!  After tweaking the neck and the hem (I shortened the length about four inches)...

..I left a small opening in the seam of the sleeves because I'm going to add some elastic to the ends to make them stretchy and more fitted against my arms.

I weaved the elastic in one end and out the other...

...stitched the ends together...

...then stitched the seam opening shut!

My dress is complete!!  I paired my eBayed Michael Kors wedges along with a black Mary Green camisole underneath the piece to finish the look.

I met some of my favorite friends (and fellow NYers!) at Yogurtland to cool off because LA was feeling the heat today!!

Pecan salted caramel...check.  I didn't even hit the toppings tonight, people.  That's serious business because that doesn't ever happen.  I usually go a little crazy with the Oreos/Crumbled Butterfinger/Reese's trifecta but took it easy this evening because I just wanted the cold yumminess.

Mission: Cool Off, a total success.

Happy Friday friends - stay cool and stay hydrated!!

93 Days to Go: Connie & Molly's NDAD Creation

I've been having some annoying ear issues - I'm waterlogged and don't know why!! - and I took it a bit easy today.  A brand new piece will be up and running tomorrow, so in the interim Connie and her adorable niece Molly get some love!

Hi Marisa,

My niece wanted to wear this dress for the 4th of July but had outgrown the piece.   I told her about you and what you do and we were off!

The original front...

The original back...

C & M do one of my fave tricks...

We turned the dress around (my favorite!!) making the front the back, took out the zipper, folded the extra material and sewed it in place. 

Then we removed the ribbon bows and tacked the dress to a festive T shirt to keep it in place...

 ...and added the ribbon to the bottom where the zipper ended. 

It was Molly’s idea to put the second bow on the dress so it looked like a belt. 

The entire project took 40 minutes and it would have been less it she not had to admire the dress in the mirror as we were sewing :)  She was VERY happy with the end result and was ready to attend the fireworks.  It was so much fun and I hope you enjoy our makeover!

I love what you guys did - not only am I thrilled you had a fun crafty day together, you were able to reuse that fabulously festive piece again for another year!  Way to go!