Thursday, June 19, 2014

Top + Dress = Maxi Dress

I got this top years ago to exercise in, but never wore it because I really prefer t-shirts.  It's also way too short.  But it's cotton rather than shiny spandex and has some nice seaming, so I hung on to it. 
I pictured it here with a weight so you get the idea. :)  Then I saw a maxi dress in an ad that had a solid-color fitted top, so I realized what I could finally do with this. I found this dress at the Goodwill, which I call "older teacher on vacation."
It's that gauzy-type fabric.  I had to unpick the crocheted insert in the middle and the darts and piece it back together.  I inserted just a small strip of the crochet at the neckline of the tank top and was able to use the trim from the sleeves to extend around the back of the now-skirt part (the thin strip of crochet you see at the waist was only on the front. ) It doesn't show too much since I'm holding the skirt, but it hangs a little crooked so I may take it off.

5 comments:

Rennie said...

Much more fashionable now. Almost like a princess dress :D I find those vests too short for the gym too!

Louba said...

Brilliant idea!, this looks great

concretenprimroses said...

Beautifully done!

IWOM said...

Have you let it hang on your dress form for a bit? I was taught that you always leave a dress or skirt hanging (on a hanger if you don't have a dress form) at least a day before hemming so don't be too hasty! It might not be as crooked as you think.

IWOM: EOD

TracyKM said...

I love the finished look! However, your before picture gives me an idea. As a busty gal, it's hard to find large enough items to re-fashion. Inserting a center panel of a really nice contrasting fabric could sometimes work!