I went thrifting with a friend last week hoping to pick up some new old t-shirts and other knit items for re-purposing. Well, not only did I land some great knit items, I found this dress. It was $2 so I brought it home. So far everyone has laughed at my show and tell. Granted, they've been mostly family members of the un-crafty variety so it's forgivable. But Mr. Cirque Du Bebe well, he took the mockery to a whole new level...
Disturbed? You should be. Just be glad I cropped off his head and spared you the 'I'm a pretty princess' face. Oh no, that one was not ready for the public. But that'll learn ya for knocking Selma Sack Dress!
So clearly the problem here was not with the dress but the audience. That's why I've brought her here where I know she'll be in good hands. If anyone can see the glorious dress that could be, it will be you lot. So the question is...what would you do with it? The fabric is a knit and the little buttons are wooden. I'm seeing a high waisted, sleeveless dress with wedges. I'm open to suggestions. What do you see? Please don't say a sack.
Thrifting is just so bloody great isn't it? Sometimes a hit, sometimes a miss but when it delivers I'm on a thrifters high for days. I think I hit the bonanza on this outing, scoring these knit tops, some men's, some women's, with different weights and textures but all perfect for re-fashions. The geometric fabric is a hoodie and I almost didn't buy it. Something about feeling naughty buying a perfectly wearable hoodie to cut up. Then again it was at the thrift shop because somebody didn't want it. That's like feeling guilty for rescuing a kitty from the pound. Silly!
I feel the same way sometimes so I don´t buy clothes that seems to nice to refashion. I´m silly too. I have to change that behavior. What if thers´s none to buy it and it goes to the trashbin. That´s even a bigger waste.
ReplyDeleteI see a dress without arm and little 60´s over it. I thik by the way that it´s has a lovely fabric.
Oh damn, that reminds me of a horrific 90's dress I saw the other day that had a great Hawaiian pattern on it. Shame I didn't buy it for refashioning.
ReplyDeleteI think the dress would look great with a sleeveless, tight bodice and a full draped or pleated skirt. You could add some other fabric for a "belt"
Hahahahahaha! You are hilarious and I'm pretty sure we would have a good bit in common in real life, because I seriously almost wrote a post just like this. I took a picture of me in this awesome blue and white mumu dress like what you are wearing and I was planning on turning it into an awesome blouse, but then I had a total craft fail with it and while it was cute it just didn't fit me, because I took it in too much! So, I never actually blogged about it! I know whatever you come up with will be awesome and I doubt you will have a fail, like me! haha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great score. I imagine the dress looking a little something like this http://pinterest.com/pin/155726099585336014/ - can't wait to see what you do with it and now you've made me really want to go thrifting!
ReplyDeleteThrifter's high is the best! I like your dress idea, but could also see a flowy mini skirt with a cool belt... Good thing it's 10 times bigger than you- surely you can get at least 2 new looks outta that! ;). - Erin
ReplyDeletewhat awesome prints! I can see that dress turning into something like this: http://shopruche.com/floral-market-dress-by-knitted-dove.html
ReplyDeletesimilar to what you have in mind, maybe with an asymmetrical hem?
fun! I love refashions!
I can't wait to see what you do with that dress! Love your finds! And I LOVE that thrifting high, too.
ReplyDeleteBefore I read your idea, I thought "high waisted, sleeveless dress." So I'm totally on board with your plan! I'm picturing something Steven Alan-ish. Great finds!
ReplyDeleteWhen you said high waisted and sleeveless, I had a picture in my head of strapless, highwaisted dress, keeping the button placket at the top, belted at the waist. Knit probably isnt great for strapless though.... Cant wait to see what you do.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled onto your blog like a week ago. Sad to say I have been browsing through all your past posts. I also have 2 boys I love to sew for, Im a Sydneysider so I love that you talk about Spotlight (which sucks) instead of Joannes and post winter clothes when its winter! Yay !!
Oh also, I want to steal that blue shirt! LOVE
ReplyDeleteOh thrifting fun! I'm a terrible thrifter - I can never see the diamond in the rough. You have a gift.
ReplyDeleteAs for Selma Sack dress? Hmm... I see sleeveless, U-neck - save the buttons, raise and gather the waist. Maybe assymmetric hem? God knows you have enough fabric to play around a bit...Haha!
You seem to have the best of luck at thrift stores, I wish I did. I think part of my problem is that my 2yo is with me and he doesn't have the patience for it - plus you have a great eye for repurposing!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts were the banksia dress or the pattern runway geometric dress styles.
I WOULD:
ReplyDelete*keep the buttons down the front
*cap the sleeves
*cut the bodice and bring the skirt up, making it more on the hips
*fitting all snuggly
*I like the pleats
*wear it with a cute brown belt
x
Here's a cute dress I saw on Pinterest the other day.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2010/05/made-my-own-mod-cloth-dress.html
I'm totally coveting that geometric hoodie! Why is it that other people's thrift store finds always look so, so cool? Grass is greener and all that I guess. Can't wait to see the dress. I'm sure you'll rock it (unlike poor Mr. Cirque du Bebe...)
ReplyDeleteGreat haul! The geometric hoodie is cool! I know what you mean about being too good to cut up. My friend gave me some old woollen blankets the other day for craft projects, but I've put them on the bed...too pretty to cut up!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Oh Mr. Cirque du Bebe, absolutely rocking that dress. I think you have great refashion potential with this dress - tank dress, scoop out the neck, keep the buttons, gather up the skirt and reattach to a more fitted bodice...maybe even throw it in a dye bath if you want a bit more color? I have faith in you and can't wait to see what you do with it!
ReplyDeleteI would take it down the track of slightly a Stepford Wives 1950s dress, but then I am loving 1950s dresses. Fitted bodice (keeping those amazing buttons), full box pleated skirt, and a cap sleeve.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the end product, preferably on you and not on the MR.
I have major thrifting envy! The print on that hoodie rules. I can't wait to see what you make!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is spectacular! You could do so many things with it! I say keep it as a dress, you may even have extra for some matching shorts for a little someone.
ReplyDeleteYou could keep the width in the skirt for a full-bodied skirt and a tight bodice. I could see you playing with different textures and going with some lace insets. Shorten the skirt with a scalloped hemline!
Oh this is a fantastic canvas to start from. Can't wait to see the final product.
Thrifting is the ultimate high in my world...it's the little things that turn into the greatest. I love the star/constellation gray material...super cute. I love that the dress is so huge that you have so much room to work with.
ReplyDeleteHo ho. That dress reminds me of "the net". An acrylic jumper so huge that we joked you could catch fish with it. Two people fitted inside easily.
ReplyDelete