The “Peace, Love & ReFashion” Dress
Butterick B5555
Fabric: Indian Batik Red Tie- Dye Cotton, Brown Jersey
Pattern: Butterick B5555
Year: 2010
Notions: Thread, Grosgrain Ribbon & Elastic Thread
Time to Complete: Original 4.5 Hours, ReFashioned 4 Hours
First worn: July 2011, ReFashioned for Shoot
Wear again? Yes, definitely.
Total Price: Cotton $8, Elastic Thread $1, rest from Stash
Smocked Inside View
My first thought for the “ReFashion” challenge was to go back and fix my “Red Hot Cha Cha Valentines” Dress and I did! Pictures are at the bottom. However another Red dress was on my mind, loved the fabric but it look like a big sack of potatoes on me, even worse with the tie. So I inserted a 6″ waistband in brown jersey, smocked it with elastic thread and added a leather piece to weave the tie through to make a more substantial belt.
The “Peace, Love & ReFashion” Dress Standing
The “Peace, Love & ReFashion” Smocked Details
The “Peace, Love & ReFashion” Dress Front
Now for the “Red Hot Cha Cha Valentines” Dress. I chopped the red bottom off, took a thrifted Merrimekko Mini skirt, added a cotton brown band to the bottom and inserted a side zipper because the “No Zipper Mena Rule” did not work with my assets, although I tried! I wrapped the tie around to the front to cover the side zipper.
ReFashion “Red Hot Cha Cha Valentines” Dress Front
ReFashion “Red Hot Cha Cha Valentines” Dress Side
ReFashion “Red Hot Cha Cha Valentines” Dress Back
Very clever x 2!
Thank you Anstee, I love the color red, so to have two more pieces added to the wardrobe is great.
The dress is very becoming on you and I love that skirt. Adding the brown panel to lengthen it really looks nice. Your photos look very professional this week and set of your outfits nicely. Well done!
Thank you, Barbara. I think the black background really made the colors pop on both outfits. It was way to windy here’s Saturday to shoot outside.
That does look better. I love the Marimekko print – aren’t those Fins amazing?
Hi Trish, thank you and yes I think those Fins are amazing. I love their palettes and bold prints.
Lovely rich colours and I particularly like the new skirt print on your Red Hot Cha Cha dress. It really gives it a whole different feel.
I love the new skirt bit too!
Thanks Marguerite!
Yes, it’s definately more my style. I love bright and bold color palettes and the shape on the bottom feels more comfortable to wear to work. The top of the dress took the longest to sew, so I was pretty happy to salvage it.
Oh, red is so your colour! These are both fabulous, but I have to say, I’m really loving the Valentines dress. The completely random, fantastic mix of colours. The Merrimekko skirt (drool). And just the way it looks on you – brilliant.
Great work on TWO refashions. The new skirt on the V-day dress is my favorite…what a great find.
Thanks Najah, yes I plan I wearing these dresses often. I’m so happy I could salvage the top of the dress.
Wowzers! I LOVE both of these! The smocking and belt are ingenious, and the new Merrimekko bottom is just awesome. Some day, some how, I will find cast-aside Merrimekko.
Thank you Lavender. Yes the smocking was a lot of fun, I’m thing there will be a sun dress in the near future with this method. The Merrimekko, I couldn’t believe my luck but it was a pretty short mini, so I think that was the rEason it wasn’t snatched up.