Monday Remake: 80s Floral Top

This top was one of the many pieces I found in NY when I went to Housing Works' Buy the Bag store in Brooklyn.

I crammed this piece into my bag along with over 25 other pieces (many in good shape, without needing any work that you'll see very soon!!) because I was obsessed with the floral print...

...the gold buttons, and the elastic waist!!

However I'm not letting myself leave the house with it looking as is.  I lugged it across the country, which is as much travel as I'm allowing it in the current state.  It's rework time!

I started off by removing the shoulder pads!

Love that the pads were made from the same material as the top!!

I'm always a sucker for the tags and usually become obsessed with the names of brands from back in the day.  This tag pretty much rules.

And that triangle/partial Nike logo/half of a lightning bolt is just a-maze-ing!!

I began to cut a triangle from the piece next, beginning my cut a little over two inches from the neck's center.

I trimmed until I hit the third button on the piece, and then matched my cut on the opposite side to completely remove this center portion.

I folded and pressed under the raw edges of the piece...

...and then sewed it in place.

Because this piece was a bit too large on me, I took in the body of the piece about four inches, creating a center seam down the back and then brought in the shoulder seam to shorten the length of the piece.  This worked out perfectly because the shoulder seam was already constructed at the top of the shoulder and went all the way to the end of the sleeve.  All I had to do was follow this seam when I brought this area in an inch.

With the sizing adjusted and all raw edges hidden, my new top was complete!!

This feels more like a little cotton cover-up, as I paired it with a mossy green camisole, a leather studded purse...

a pair of Lela Rose for Payless flats.

The pearly buttons are still super pronounced, which I love!  This was one of the selling points and you can see them quite well now right below the waist.

I got some wear out of my new top right away to meet friends for some post-dinner, patio sips.  I love outdoor spots with twinkle lights and candles on the tables!

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!  It's time to start the week and the countdown to when we see the royal baby, since Kate Middleton is in labor.  (Love all those update emails letting me know the play by play...I'm talking to you US Weekly/People Magazine!)

Linda's NDAD Creation

Linda sent in this amazing remake that she wore for a Christmas party and I love it because it's something that you could also totally swing for one of those evening, summer weddings as well.  Plus there's gold shimmer involved which gets me every time.  Time to see what Linda does!!

I wanted something new for a Christmas party but had had no budget for a new dress, so I tried the thrift stores.  Unfortunately nothing fit, but I found this blouse in a size 3X and I hated the sleeves.  I thought, WWMD (what would Marisa do)?

WWMD?!? Love this, Linda!  How did she get this piece tweaked?

I took out the shoulder pads...

...removed the sleeves...

...and turned the round neckline into a v-neck.

Next I took in the seams, gathered it across the back, cut off the excess length, and rehemmed it.  

Finally, I took the extra fabric from the bottom, added a black shoe lace and created a matchiing purse for my cell phone.  

I also found a matching black velvet skirt, shoes, and a black beaded shawl making the total outfit just $12.  PS, I wanted to do it the Marisa way so I spent just one evening, 5 hours, and did the makeover the night before the party.

Thanks for encouraging us to see the potential in the fabric and be creative.

Um, hello fabulous new black vest!  I love the pairing with the velvet skirt, shoes, and shawl, however this would totally work on a more casual front too, with a pair of slacks or dark trousers as well!  The fact that this entire piece cost $12 is just mindblowing-ly awesome.  Nothing makes me happier than sourcing out an entire outfit for a totally reasonable amount of money!  Linda, I hope you're having fun with this piece - you look incredible!

Wendy P's NDAD Creation

Today's remake comes from Miss Wendy P.  First off, her piece has a horse print on it, so I'm already sold.  Second, it's this fabulous green color, so sold once again.  See what she does with it...

I'm short and fat.  It's just the way it is and it gets in the way of finding clothes that fit.  So, being the somewhat crafty gal I am, I decided it was high time I started learning to sew.  I started with the Green Dress of Hideousness.

I liked the fabric, the dress was cheap - maybe $3-4? - not bad for the Goodwills around here...

...and I love wearing skirts in the summer.

Smells like skirt time!!

The best part - as I cut it up, I realized it was probably handmade.  There's even a pocket hidden away in one of the side seams. 

A skirt for summer!  Not fancy or nothin', but I can wear it to work (I work with preschoolers), and I often wear it over running shorts for working out. 

Love this piece, Wendy!  That fabric is awesome and you worked the "Green Dress of Hideousness" into something super functional!  Old housedress turned fab new skirt - three cheers for you, my dear!