I sew for stress relief. I've been sewing a lot this week. Mr Husband has donated a pile of old business shirts to my sewing stash and I've been thinking about refashioning (upcycling) them for awhile. Then I bought some tulle. Then I had a bad week. And out of that came the Princess Dress!
What do you think? I'm very proud of myself!!
So, I started with this old shirt.
Not much of it is left now. I'll keep the sleeves though, there's still potential there ;)
Scribbled an idea on some graph paper.
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| My original idea. Funnily enough I don't think I looked at this once I started. |
Had a lot of fun with some rolls of 6" tulle.
I used the original placket which I thought was a nice detail but was probably way more fiddly that starting afresh!
Threw it all together and before I knew it (OK, it actually took ALL day) we had a beautiful Princess in our garden!
I decided it needed a fabric brooch as the front is rather simple to compensate for the back :) Oh, and I love making fabric broochs!
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| Cute as a button! |
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| Did you want that back detail again Mummy? |
Your so talented Gemma!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lil Aussie Mum! I think I might have to make the pattern in a few sizes as I'll be sad when she grows out of it!
DeleteWhat a great transformation!! I bet your daughter just loves her fluffy princess gown!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stef! She is pretty happy with it :) I LOVE your blog!! It's a visual feast and I will return again and again :) I love your shirt makeover, will definitely have to give it a go (I have about a dozen shirts that Mr Husband has donated to my stash LOL).
DeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ms Midge!
DeleteBusiness at the front and party at the back - what a great dress!
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DeleteThank you JJ Handmade :) Yes I love her dress over at tidbits! I have to branch more into knits. It was rewarding remodelling a business shirt but it would have been alot faster not having to to fiddle with the placket and facing. Maybe next time!
Delete(Sorry, I forgot to say thank you in my original comment!)
Hi Gem - it's great! I am inspired. Have got me some material - just need a machine! Pen xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny! You can get a great beginners machine for a few hundred dollars . I would first pop into somewhere like HobbySew, which is local to you, and talk to the ladies there. They will help you work out what you need :) Definitely sit down and try out the machine and if you can, buy from somewhere that has after sales support such as free lessons. Another good option is to look for an older machine secondhand. The older machines are all metal and are therefore super sturdy. I'd love to see your creations once you get started!
DeleteAaawww, it's very sweet! I love the ruffles at the back!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! The tulle was such an easy way of making ruffles, I'll definitely do it again. A girl can't have too many ruffles, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I haven't really worked with tulle (excluding a tie up skirt I made for the bloke who catches the least fish, in my husband's camp LOL) but if I have a baby girl one day the story will change! I am sad I can't make one of these for myself or I'd get some pretty strange looks down at Westfield LOL.
ReplyDeleteHave you mad a fabric flower badge the Kanzashi way? Here is one tutorial, there is also a pointy edge version which is folded slightly different http://bittybitsandpieces.blogspot.com.au/2010/01/kanzashi-flower-tutorial.html
Thanks Cassie! No I've never done a Kanzashi fabric flower. Will pop over now and have a look, thanks for the link!
DeleteGorgeous little dress, and great upcycled project too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly! It's always so satisfying to upcycle something :)
DeleteThat is such a great idea! Gorgeous little dress.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacinta! It helps when the model is pretty cute too :)
DeleteThanks for your comment on my blog. I sent you an email but not sure if you got it. YES the train is in Victoria... on the Mornington Peninsula. Would be hilarious if that is the same one. :)
DeleteJust saw your email and replied :) Sorry, I thought my prettybobbins account was forwarding to my personal email... All fixed now :) Great blog by the way!
DeleteI think your husband may need to lock away the rest of his shirts before you transform them into other fabulous creations.
ReplyDeleteThank you for playing along with Make Grow Thrift
LOL Jodie! Luckily he has donated quite a few but there are a couple that I would like to pinch while he is at work. Must save the upcycling for the clothes that are no longer useful in their original state :)
DeleteThanks for having me over at your blog! You have such lovely goodies and it was my first time linking up :)
Love this! I've seen many shirt up-cycles before, but never one made into a princess dress! The picture of your daughter bending over made me laugh. Perfect way to show off your work! ;o)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenni! I love that photo too :) I wanted to put it in my banner up top but Mr Husband didn't think it was that funny LOL
DeleteWow that is so creative!
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