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2011-03-04

Thrift Day. Altered.

fix1

For my thrift posts, I am going to intermittently showcase thrifted items that need some alteration or better yet, were total duds and I was an idiot for buying them... I like to over share about thrifting because it stops me from over sharing about our marriage. Besides, I often buy things with great potential that end up in my mend closet (yeah... it's in the spare room) for ... a very. long. time. And just as Kyla put items that needed to be mended in her 30X30 as a extra prod to get it done, I am hoping that this will help me get behind the sewing machine again. So, send me a friendly message (some would call this a kick in the butt) if I haven't worn this dress in a month...

fix2

What? Hand-dyed, Thai silk, full length dress. The sleeves are already stitch ripped off because I got excited...

Where? Stoney Creek Value Village

Why? I totally got seduced by the pretty colours of this dress, the long sleeves and the possibilities. I think long sleeves and a short hem is one of the sexiest things there is... well, besides the sight of Matt coming in the door bearing Diet Coke...

How much? I am not proud of this. The peeps at the VV boutique priced this at $17.99. I think that is waaaayyyy too high for a dress of poor to mediocre quality. I usually pay that much a thrift store unless it's a coat or a leather purse... but my mind was spinning with ideas and my dad told me it was very striking. Enabler...

fix3

What am I gonna do? From my sketch it looks like an easy fix. Shorten the hem and make it scandalous up in here. However, I couldn't really try it on in the store because the sleeves were too tight. So, I looked at the seam allowance, saw lots of extra and just figured I could take off the sleeves and rework them. At home, I took off the sleeves, and tried it on properly as it could actually go over my body at that point. Sadly, the fit is really off and when I looked inside the dress, I saw awkward selvage ends and serged ends. I think the dress just wasn't cut and sewn nicely, so the fit is wonky. I will probably end up taking out all the seams on the body (except for the button line down the front), doing a custom fit and then sewing the sleeves back on. It won't be a hard dress to fit and sew to my body but it irks me that I am taking apart and resewing almost an entire dress that cost me $18 at a thrift store. At this point I feel a like a sucker for spending so much at the most overpriced, for-profit thrift store out there... However, I suspect an increase in general sassiness when I wear the finished product.


P.S.#1. Definitely need to start just sketching my outfits. Don't have to worry about lighting, cellulite, growing out my hair or even bother with getting dressed...
P.S.#2. Thanks to Sarah for featuring me on her blog, Yes and Yes. When she emailed me to ask if I was interested, she said some nice things and called me a minx. At that point I was putty in her hands... Check out the post here.

37 comments :

From Suns To Moons said...

I'm excited about this. Nay, stoked.

Marciepooh said...

$18 for the fabric alone is probably still a steal (if real silk) with the only draw back of having to work with the pre-cut pieces. I wouldn't feel too bad about it.

Kelly said...

This looks like a wicked challenge. I'm sure the final product will be great. I love the sketch.

And the best part? You'll be the only one with a dress like this.

Louise Mc said...

It certainly sounds like you have a task on your hands, but the material is lovely and your sketch is wonderful. I think that the finished product will be lovely and I can't wait to see it!

The Suburb Experiment said...

I know it was $18 but the finished product will be . . . priceless. Was that as corny to read as it was to type? You know what I mean though. It will be original and well-made thanks to you.

I loooove a long sleeve and a short hem too. I think it's the sexiest silhouette!

Jenn

Megs said...

That line about over sharing about thrifting so you won't overshare about your marriage had me rolling. Sometimes I feel like, "I am doing this post about this outfit so that I don't say something I will regret in the very near future." LOL!

Nadine said...

Haha, as soon as I saw that fist photo I knew you were going to take the hem waaaayyy up. Love your sketch! I can't draw at all . . wish I could.

Nadine said...

first

Kate said...

Your sketch is so coooool! Such a talented lady, you are! Drawing & sewing! I can't wait to see this one on you, I think it's gonna be smokin'! And absolutely agree about mini dresses with long sleeves! LOVE!

Hey There Carole! said...

I just found your blog and Honey; you are cute, funny and very stylish. :-) I have marked you as a daily read.

I wish I had your success with thrifting.

http://heytherecarole.blogspot.com/

The Semi Sweet said...

Oh I wish I could sew like that! I can do some alterations on my own, but not a total reconstruction. Good luck with it! The fabric is beautiful so I hope it works out for you.

***And what kind of "thrift store" prices it's stuff so high? Really?

Emilina Sassperina said...

Oh, wow! I love this idea. I cannot wait for you to post the finished project!!!

Cindy said...

Real silk, hand dyed, 18 bucks, AND dad approved? TOTALLY WORTH IT.

Anonymous said...

Awesome, the color is so hot!

<3 Cess O.
http://blog.cessoviedo.com

Tiffany said...

If anything, maybe the unusually high cost will motivate you to turn this into a winner. And, um, your sketch is amazing. Also, diet coke rules my life. I will go out of my way to WalMart on a Friday afternoon for a cheap 24-pack. Out. of. control.

Anonymous said...

The fabric is beautiful...but if I'd paid that much I would feel rightfully betrayed.

Kari. said...

I cannot wait to see the finished product. I love your sketch too ...

ggshoe said...

Nice looking fabric & lovely sketch. With your ideas I'm sure you'll have beautiful results! ♥ing your blog!!

katou said...

Your skech is amazin i'm definetely gonna wait to see the final result you are really talented and i loce thrifting like you so you are such an inspiration for me :)
http://insidekatouscloset.blogspot.com/

Sara said...

I so flippin' love this dress, and your sketch. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Anonymous said...

Can't sew to save my life, but maybe there's enough extra material at the bottom to make a skirt, too? Then you can sell it and recoup some of your $$. :) It is beautiful fabric; can't wait to see the finished product!

Anonymous said...

Jentine, I just wanted to let you know, I just got back from the thrift store, and I bought my first piece of clothing with sequins!! This is 100% due to your influence, after all your urgings towards thrifting sequins! Can't wait to invent some outfits with it!

Also, I've never commented before, but I've been following since Kendi featured you on her blog back in . . . the summer? Love!

-Cristy

myedit said...

Anon 1:42... ha... I shall see how short the dress goes and how much material is left...
Cristy---yay! Shine away!!!!! That just made my day!

Christen said...

Your sketch and that dress are striking. You are so ridiculously talented and I canNOT wait to see how this turns out. I still think it was worth the $18 :)

Amanda @ Life with A.Co said...

Hmmm, I see what you mean about the awkward fit and poor stitching - grrrr so frustrating (AND that you spent 'so much' on it - damn VV).

Okay, onto a positive note, can we just please discuss your sketch?! It's AMAZING. Where can I learn to sketch like that without going to school or taking a sketching course? .... Can't? Oh. Figures.

A.Co @ A.Co est. 1984

Ms. Falcon said...

awesome dress. can't wait to see the results.

http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

Emma at Daily Clothes Fix said...

So excited to see what you can do with this. And I have to add, that is an amazing sketch.

Louise (Fifth Sparrow) said...

I love how creative you are, and daring. Definitely daring, I don't know if I would have the balls to cut up a dress! But I am so so excited to see the end result and will be putting a fire under you if I don't see you wearing this treasure soon!

Taryn said...

Hello! I've stumbled upon your blog and just wanted to let you know I absolutely love it and LOVE your style! I was so inspired that I took a trip to my local Goodwill today! But I was not as lucky and left empty-handed. No sequins for me today :( But I will give it another go another time. Thanks for all the style inspiration!

silvergirl said...

That is one cool dress and your sketch of what you want to turn it into looks fabulous
Can't wait to see the finished product
Brett
Silvergirl

Katie W... said...

This is a pretty fantastic dress! Your sketch is promising and I hope to see the finished product soon :)

Sidewalk Chic said...

You've got such a genius eye for reworking old items, so this will definitely turn out great! :)

GoodFrameofMind said...

Love your visions. I actually just bought a long thrift store dress I'm hoping to do the same thing with. Can't wait to see it@

Beth at B. Jones Style said...

Amazing find! LOVE. Can't wait to see your changes and see you wear it.

Krust said...

Oh boy, I cannot wait to see this finished. That is going to be awesome!

smartyKAT said...

Just stumbled upon your blog...I'm new to the blogging world and currently I'm head-over-heels in love with it. Before I even saw your sketch I said to myself, "Self, I hope that girl cuts that dress up." And then look what happened.
Its gonna be stell'r.

Morgan and Lua said...

Wait a minute. I missed this one...and you can sketch!?

Girl crush flame just got a little higher.
Deal.