Anthropologizing Target

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

I picked up this ConverseOne Savannah dress at Target last week because, you guessed it...the print.
I thought it'd be a great dress to use for this tutorial--how to transform a plain dress
into something more likely seen hanging at Anthropologie.
The difference between the before and after pictures is subtle, no?
That's always what makes a dress special--
a bit of extra detailing that take it to a new level of interesting.

I chose this lace because it was the same shade as the cream in the dress
and it mirrored the scrolling print.

I hadn't planned on using the gray ribbon, but it seemed like some kind
of contrast was needed here.

This blouse has been in my fabric bin forever, waiting it's chance to be used.
The sleeves seemed to have the right amount of whimsy for this project.
If lace and a button is a bit too whimsical for you, just cut out a square of coordinating
fabric and follow the same steps. If you do that, make sure you fold the top edge down
so the top edge is finished.

Always try your dress on before you sew.
You might think it looks great, but you don't know for sure until you've seen how it looks on you.
I originally placed these pockets directly on the sides, and realized when I put it on that I wanted them to be more forward and tilted up a little bit.

All in all, this took me about 45 minutes, even with the miscalculation on the pocket placement.
Looking at the end result, I'll probably add a ribbon belt next time I wear this,
but that's a two-second project...=)

47 comments:

  1. your genius strikes again! Love this! This is what I'm hoping Maggie will do for me! Did I tell you she got her Gma's sewing machine and she has been fooling around with it - she made her American Girl doll a dress!

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  2. oh my word!!! I love this. Im going to try this the first chance I get! So cute. Thanks for the adorable ideas

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  3. Wow, I can't believe u turned a simple dress 2 such a lovely 1, I wish I wasn't only a buyer, it's great 2 b an artist like u...=)

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  4. hello AWESOME.

    this is so cool--so happy you stopped by my blog so I could find yours! I'm a huge fan of both Anthro and Target, so this post was phenom.

    Can't wait to read more from you! xoxo {av}

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  5. This is wonderful Kristina, just brilliant use of sleeves for pockets!! You're rockin it and love your backdrop as well.

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  6. Okay, you're awesome! And I need a sewing machine, haha!

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  7. Love the lace detail. Great idea to use a sleeve.

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  8. Wow! Love this easy yet remarkable transformation.

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  9. LOVE!! You are truly talented! xx Emily

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  10. This is such a great idea. I need to embellish more clothes!


    Be Sure To Enter My Exposed Envy Giveaway!

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  11. Wow, Kristina! This was just brilliant! I love it! Yay!

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  12. Ah, Kristina, you are so brilliant, creative and talented! I love your work here. You totally did give that dress the perfect Anthropologie touch :) And you look gorgeous in it too!

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  13. This is such a simple change but it makes such a big difference. I didn't even notice the bottom at first.

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  14. Your creative sewing is magic. Looking gorgeous!

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  15. I love it! I just saw that dress yesterday and it wasn't in my size, sniff, it's just lovely. I'll have to order online, I suppose. (or hunt it down at other Target stores here in town, I'm inspired by your creativity..must have one.)

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  16. Lovely! Like you said, those little details really do make all the difference. I especially love the lace at the hem. :-)

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  17. This is so awesome. I love anything with lace or a ruffle at the bottom. You transformed it from cute to FAB! Isn't that really the difference in buying Anthropologie items versus other brands, the extra touches of an interestingly shaped pocket in a gorgeous fabric and a lace hem? Bravo. You're amazing.

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  18. LOVE this!!! I just bought that dress last week too...with about the same thought in my head!! So fun to see what you did with it!! :)

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  19. Super super cute! Great job with this!

    Jenny @ the Southern Institute

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  20. I love this dress and how you re vamped it. Beautiful. Be sure to enter my give a way for a $50 Anthro card!!!

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  21. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I love your blog, I'm so inspired!! I'm a new follower now too :)

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  22. Your ingenuity is always impressive! I wouldn't look twice at the original dress but with lace and some detailing, it's adorable.

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  23. Wow! LOVE IT! Please link up to my weekly sewing linky party!
    www.seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com
    Jenny

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  24. Amazing. I'd love to see more of this, keep it up!

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  25. That is adorable! I love the pockets made out of sleeves. You are just so stinkin creative, and talented :)

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  26. I love to "Anthropologize" stuff. :) This is a good reminder for me to do some more sometime soon! And your dress completely looks like it came straight from our favorite store...

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  27. You are sublimely talented - the lace edging MAKES that dress into something truly special. Thanks for sharing your know-how.

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  28. This is awesome! I'm now on the lookout for a dress I can anthro up:)

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  29. I would never in a million years have thought of using the sleeve of an old blouse as pockets on a dress! You are a star Kristina - a big gold sparkly one! I just love how a few personal touches changes the complete look of the dress. Well done!

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  30. Gorgeous...I love those pockets...and your title.

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  31. This is just darling, Kristina. I would wear this dress in a heartbeat, and it really does look like something that would be found at Anthro.

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  32. You have a most inspiring blog. It is always a pleasure to look at your creations, reinterpretations of items, choice of colours when you put up an outfit, pictures' settings. I really enjoy the way you let your personal life so finely transcend within your writing or choice of pictures.

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  33. Oh, wow. I love Anthro! This is just brilliant.

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  34. Wow! You should be proud of yourself. You are so talented and this blog is brilliant: ) xxx
    www.this-grace.com

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  35. WOW! I am so impressed by you! Love it!

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  36. That is absolutely GENIUS!!! I love that. You are so creative and talented!

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  37. Great job! I like your idea.
    I am now trying to knit due to Anthropologie and the great sweaters.
    I had my first lesson today, so it will take awhile before I can decent. Trying to make a scarf.

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  38. SUPER sweet! I think I would do the ribbon belt too!! SO lovely! You did a beautiful job!
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

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  39. Awesome! I love it! I would love for you to link up here
    http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2011/02/inspire-me-monday.html

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  40. It's definitely in the details, what a difference those cute pockets make! Love it!

    Found you via What Allie's Making Now ^_^

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  41. very talented in adding these pockets here!! I love it.

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  42. SUPER cute! I think I saw this dress, but passed on it! Darn!! I love your eye for coordinating. Very inspiring!

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