I finally redesigned the very first garment I ever sewed; this brown flower dress.
This was an extra special refashion because not only was it the very first garment I made but it was also made jointly, with my mom. I remember, vividly, together choosing the pattern and the fabric, and collaborating on this project. I get a warm fuzzy feeling every time I think about it and will cherish that moment forever.
However, not only did it not fit me anymore, but it also was no longer my style, and, I hate to say it but, it was ugly. I mean, how did I ever wear this? It's a muddy brown, shapeless and long! But I couldn't bear to give it away as it had too much sentimental value.
Then, I thought, with the current trend being flowers, I would make it into flower pants. I made my first flower pants two weeks before so I would just follow suit and do the same with this dress.
So this is what I did. I basically turned it upside down and cut four pieces of this pants shape out of the bottom of the skirt; 2 front pieces from the front of the skirt, and two back pieces from the back of the skirt. I then cut the pockets out of the front of the top. Only the back was left. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with it.
I absolutely love that I can wear the dress my mom and I made again, even if it's in the form of pants. I say it all the time. Clothes have meaning!
Do you have a garment that has deep sentimental value that doesn't fit anymore but you can't part with it? Tell your story in the comments.
Thanks for sharing your smart re-creation with Visible Monday! Cutest photo bomb : >
ReplyDeleteThanks Patti! Yes, he is a cute photo-bomb!
DeleteWow! I can't believe the transformation! I love the pants. I'm sure at the time, you were stylish in your dress, but I prefer the new reincarnation.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you saved the dress so it still has good memories for you in the form of pants. My mom made her brother a suit when she was a teen and later turned the jacket into a little dress for me (when I was a kid).
I don't have the sewing skills that you and my mom have, but I do agree about the sentimental nature of clothes.
Oh, what a great story jeanofalltrades! Yes, there is definitely a lot of emotions and meanings to a special garment. I am so glad I got a chance to recreate this dress. Next will be my father's shirt that I took from his apartment the night he passed away. I hope I do that justice.
DeleteWow! That's a great transformation if ever I've seen one! I've been thinking about a similar project ... I've been considering taking a maxi dress, a fairly full one, and converting the bottom to wide leg pants. I'm guessing that the waist-to-crotch fit would be the problem. Any ideas? I just want a jump suit and haven't found one I like.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan! Thanks! Well, I would definitely go by a pair of pants that you already own and feel comfortable in and use that as a guide. I use clothes that fit me well, take them apart, and use them as a pattern. Then I put them back together again.
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