Sunday, June 29, 2014

Thrift Store Alterations - No. 1

I've decided to start documenting my thrift store finds and a description of work done to it.

When people first start thrifting, I think they assume that clothes it going to perfectly fit. Well, that rarely happens. I've been doing this for years and 80% of the clothes I find needs a hem adjustment or complete make over.

I recently found this 1980's does 1950's with gorgeous lucite buttons on seersucker fabric. Totally perfect for summer and spring.




At first glance the only issue appears to be the length of the dress. However, once trying on I saw bodice was too long for my torso & created this funky bulge. The elastic at the waist was also stretched out. 

To fix it, I ended up taking the bodice apart from the skirt. I shorted the bodice by a few inches, reattached the skirt, removed the old elastic, and added new elastic. It was only about 45 minutes to achieve a fitted dress. I am willing to do a tutorial on this if asked. 

Here's what the dress ended up looking like.


Sorry for the wrinkles! Seersucker should explain it. I was in the biggest hurry when getting dressed so I just threw my favorite 1980's belt that I thrifted and a 1960's enamel dog with bone brooch (signed Gerry) that my grandmother gave me. Also, my go to Seychelles's sandals from Nordstrom Rack. 

Definitely, a versatile dress I can wear all summer. A $1.80 well spent.

-A. 


2 comments:

  1. Well done on the refashion. I would love to see a tutorial about it as I'm just getting the hang of sewing. Gorgeous frock on you! Xx

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  2. Wow, that's awesome! I could sure use a lesson in alterations since I do a ton of thrift shopping. I usually just let the clothes hang however they want on my body, not always the most flattering, haha.
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