I'm so excited to share with you my latest sewing project! I just finished making a new two-piece dress from a vintage MuuMuu, and I'm absolutely in love with it. It's a simple, one-piece dress made from a beautiful cotton fabric. I simply cut the top part of the dress to make a shirt, and I'm really happy with how it turned out.
Here's the before:
The Process:
The sewing process was pretty straightforward. I started by cutting out the fabric pieces straight across the middle of the dress. It was just a quick cut between the zipper on the back to the pockets. Then, I hemmed the shirt and the waist of the skirt, one by one. I used a straight stitch for most of the seams, and I pulled elastic through the skirt with a safety pin. I also added a ruffle to the shirt since it was now a crop top essentially and needed some length. Luckily, I'm a ruffle fiend and collect it in bulk so I just so happened to have the perfect match!
The Results:
I'm so happy with how the dress turned out! It's the ideal summer dress. It's light and airy, and it's perfect for a day at the beach or a casual lunch with friends. I can't wait to wear it all summer long! I really liked the cowboy boots with it, but sandals would be cute too. I love upcycling vintage that otherwise was discarded, damaged, or has the potential for an upgrade.
Tips for Beginners:
If you're a beginner sewer, I would recommend starting with a simple project like this one. The concept is easy to do, and the fabric is forgiving. If you make a mistake, it's not the end of the world. Just keep going, and you'll be surprised at how well it turns out, it might just take some finagling.
Conclusion:
I'm so glad I decided to upcycle this vintage dress. It was a fun and rewarding project, and I'm so happy with the results! If you've been thinking about learning to sew or upcycle, I would definitely recommend just going for it. It's a great way to express your creativity, and it's also a very useful skill in repurposing discarded clothing. You'll be able to alter clothes, gifts, and home décor. Give it a try!
Here are some additional tips for beginners:
Practice on something you don't care as much about. This will take some of the pressure off if you're worried about ruining something, especially vintage you plan to upcycle.
Think outside of the box. If you like something weird or unique at the thrift store but it's kind of "pretty ugly" it might just have potential.
Be patient. It takes time and practice to become a decent sewer. I'm no expert but I can get the job done, haha.
Have fun! Upcycling should be enjoyable in your spare time so go easy on yourself.
Watch the Vlog of the making of this dress!
Xoxo
Seanna