I love creating pieces for special nights out or celebrations and this piece that Claire came up with was something she made for a vacation with her family. I always associate what I wear with what I'm doing, so right off the bat I knew that this would be a special piece for Claire.
I've given away a lot of clothes recently, since the majority of my summer clothes, while still functional, were at least 5 years old and no longer a perfect fit for one reason or another. So, when I found this (enormous) dress at the free store on campus, I hoped it could make a pretty new sundress, especially since it didn't cost me anything. The answer to how to recreate it came to me when I put one of my dresses on the giveaway pile, a grey Hawaiian-print number that I'd loved to wear when it fit.
I took some notes on how it was made, adjusted the measurements to fit, then started cutting away!
About half the skirt came off, since the original was down to my ankles. I tried to make it hit right above my knees instead.
I took in 3 inches from the sides, then made a cut right below where my new bust line was going to be, to make a bodice. I made one-inch tucks in the front and back of the bodice, and 1.5" darts in the front and back of the skirt. Shrinking and shaping was the name of the game.
Finally, with my trusty sidekick "Cat-pin Kirk", I attached the bodice to the skirt and sewed them together. Re-inserting the zipper came last.
I packed my new dress to go on my family's beach vacation, where I modeled for photographers (aka, my step-dad).
You're such a natural, Claire!
New dress, fun times on the beach, gathering of family...looks like the perfect vacation! It's so cool that you found inspiration from another piece that you outgrew - nothing like trying to recreate something that you love. Keep hitting up the free store on campus - you'll have a brand new wardrobe in no time!
