The reason I'm always reworking existing items, rather than just building things from scratch is the complete lack of fabric selection to be found at my postage-stamp sized JoAnn's.
So when I see a print I like, I always grab it up...and yeah, sometimes I haven't been able to make it work, but most of the time, I end up with a really versatile piece like this one.
I bought these shirts from Charlotte Russe and the fabric reminded me of all the blue chintz dishes my gramma used to pull out for "proper" dinners.
I got them both for $16, so I figured, getting a dress for that price was at least worth a try.
All I did was remove the bottom half of one and combined it to the other shirt to create a dress, and the only kinda difficult thing was matching up the two vertical seams on the front where the two prints meet.
Then, you know, as if two prints weren't enough, I threw another print (stripes) on top of it all, just because I'm still a little under Courtnee's spell, and it kind of seemed like something she'd do. =)
(Charlotte Russe shirts, reworked, GAP stripe cardi, H&M sparkle belt, Steve Madden Wedges)
WOW! that is amazing!! can you please be my personal seamstress...or just teach me to sew :D lovelove your outfit and your mix of patterns! Courtnee will love it too! have a great day :0)
ReplyDelete♥Meg
gosh, you are so talented. I am so impressed by your sewing skills and creative eye. I'm also impressed with how cute this pattern mix is! I love the way it totally works together.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristina! Got your comment on my blog and decided to check out yours. OH MY GOODNESS... I am totally IN LOVE with what you're doing! Are you serious? I've been wanting to improve my sewing skills just so I could do something like this! I am now a new follower of your blog and can't wait to see what else you come up with! Let me know if you decide to open an Etsy shop, girl! Also, I'm currently retiring some of my designs so I can launch a whole new line of infant onesies, toddler shirts, and girls/boys tops. So, stay tuned, ok? Blessings...
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with how you went about using two shirts to make a dress. I am down a machine right now. Need a new one. So the best I can do is simple alterations. But you are giving me some cool ideas and the push I need to get a new machine.
ReplyDeleteI adore your pattern play. And the black and white photo is striking.
Laura
This turned into such a really pretty dress! I never would have thought to mix the bold stripes with it, but it works! Beautiful! ~Serene
ReplyDeleteLove everything about this outfit! Great work... and love the pattern mixing you've got going on! =)
ReplyDeleteInspirational!! Love the multi-mix of patterns. They make your look totally daring and fun.
ReplyDeleteLeaving the House in THIS?!?!
I love this! I have a soft spot for "blue chintz" too:) As always, I am amazed by your talents and you know I loooove the addition of the blue striped sweater;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sweet comment! Love your blog-- you're adorable! We should follow each other :)
ReplyDeletexx
Vickie
www.adventuresinfashion.ca
Wow love your blog!! I am getting ready for a boutique here in my hometown so I probably will sell out of most items since I am in school right now. I would be more than happy to do a custom item on etsy if you'd like to buy a bag. let me know! email me dresdencarrie@gmail.com thanks! and...love the blog!
ReplyDeleteHey Kristina! I'm not sure if you got my email saying that your new comment signature came through! But it did!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous blue dress you've made! Love the carefree and summery feel of your OOTD.
LoriSpeak
great rework!! I bought a Free Flow Anthro tank today in XL b/c it was $10 - I dreamed of mailing it to you to rework for me! Seriously, I will have to take it to the drycleaner lady for that price and have her size it down for me!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristina,
ReplyDeleteI am so admiring your sewing skill not to mention your sense of pattern matching! I do sew here and there but mostly for my house like drapery, pillows, tablecloth hehe pretty much anything that are easy to make. My Joann is a pretty good size.. but still it's hard for me to find fabrics I love, so I mostly shop online for fabrics like fabric.com I find those internet sites have huge selection along with daily promotions and discounts!
You inspire me to press forward and try sew something other than for home maybe a simple easy to make dress!!
Jin,
Jin,
I am so thrilled to hear you're a freelance bridal gown designer! Bridal is my very favorite market and is actually what led me to study apparel design. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Oh, and great job on the reconstruction; the dress turned out great!!
ReplyDeleteMeg and Peggy--If only we lived closer to each other, we could rework stuff all the time!
ReplyDeleteDresden, Vicki, Helen and Kourtney--Huge fan of your work here!!!
Jin and Laura--Wish we could have a little sit down and sew together! That would be fun!
Thanks ladies for being here...so amazing!
You're seriously SO amazing. Please post a tutorial?!?
ReplyDeleteCLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog
oh my gosh, that is so creative and amazing! i could never figure out how to do something like that. you should make a tutorial or something!
ReplyDeleteKristina, would you mind popping into my closet and reconstructing my never-worn-and-never-will pieces>? you are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love that dress on you, and the styling is incredible!
Cheers
Jen
hi! u always look adorable in anthro gear, just wanted to let u know that i linked ur site from my blog. i'm a manager at anthro for 3 years now and it's always so exciting to see true fans of the brand! <3 sophie
ReplyDeleteI would've never thought in a million years to do that, and even if I did, I would've never been able to execute. That reworked dress is fabulous and I love the mix with the bold stripes. This is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented!!! That outfit is just adorable!
ReplyDelete-Rene