Happy Monday to you all!
I'm so excited to finally get this idea started! For the past few weeks I've been busily sewing away 4 somewhat identical dresses for this special post series
Inspired by The Great British Sewing Bees segment in which contestants are all given the same garment and are challenged to do them up with fabric, trim and other decorative bits to create different looks. In much the same vein I'm going to take 4 long sleeved shift dresses and do them up with the following embellishments to give them more of a 60's look and feel.
• Peter Pan Collar and matching cuffs
• Pin tuck bib with lace trim
• Ruffle lace collar jabot and cuffs
• Band collar and cuffs
The idea of this series is to give you the ability to fine tune your modern purchases or those dowdy tired garments in your wardrobe. While its lovely to buy new things, its also important to recycle and buy second-hand. So if that means taking the time to do some sewing to improve the look, silhouette or style of a dress, then it will make you feel useful and clever in the end, and you'll have an individual and special item all of your own!
For most of these tutorials you will need a sewing machine, but I will also have some ideas for those of you with only a needle and thread.
All of these techniques can be applied to new dresses, second hand finds or something you've made yourself. For those of you who don't sew currently this would be a great starting point! Modifying clothing is a great way to introduce yourself to sewing and get to understand sewing terms and techniques.
The decorative elements for this project should all be easy to source at your local fabric store. You can even try op-shops and online to find genuine vintage or one off bits
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| Lace, ribbon, button kits, trim and plain cotton |
In tangent with these posts I'll also be offering some insight into the foundations of the styles and how they became popular
Well I'll leave you with that little teaser for now - I hope you'll come back for the first post later this week!
Cat xo
Wow! I cant wait to see the results!
ReplyDeleteWhat pattern are the dresses made out of?
Oh i forgot to mention it! they are from the Burda Shift pattern http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/shift-dress-092012 and also Butterick 4771
DeleteLooking forward to seeing the results!
ReplyDeleteYay! Hopefully you can try some out!
DeleteWhat a great idea! Looking forward to see how these dresses are transformed.
ReplyDeleteooh i missed your comment! thanks so much i hope the tutorials are useful! xx
DeleteSounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly wonderful idea, and so helpful! While these dresses aren't really my silhouette I'm excited to see what you do with them. I'm sure they'll all be darling, and likely adaptable to other clothing styles.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, they should be easily translatable to other dress styles, blouses and tunics etc!
DeleteThis is a very clever idea! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished products (and dont be surprised if I copy one!)
ReplyDeleteoh well that is the whole idea :) I hope i make the instructions clear enough for you do try them out!
DeleteI loved that programme and the makeovers were by far my favourite buit (other than most of the contestants coming from the Midlands!) Can't wait to see the makeovers! x
ReplyDeleteIsn't is a fab program. and im so happy they made the whole thing available on youtube. We get so much region blocking down here from the BBC and ITV!
DeleteI'm going to LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteThis sort of thing is my bag, I love to "upcycle" tired garments, or bland ones I find in oppies by adding trims, or taking off sleeves, or whatever....sometimes I'll even put two together.......it's amazing what you can do with a little imagination! XXX
ooh well this is just your thing! multi-combines garments? how fab! i hope you give a few of them a try xoxo
DeleteGreat idea! Look forward to them
ReplyDeletethanks!
DeleteGreat idea. Looking forward to seeing what you do! x
ReplyDeletethanks dearest!
DeleteAmazing idea! You always come up with the best blog series ideas. Still loving Dressing the Decade. I really want to be a bit braver with customising my existing clothes so looking forward to seeing how you transform your dresses! x
ReplyDeleteThanks dear! =) I hope this gives you a little more confidence to try it our yourself! xx
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