Autumn is right around the corner, so I thought I’d wrap up August with one last summer project. This DIY involves a dress that I found at the thrift store for just 4 bucks. With the same method, you can use pretty much any button down dress, making the possibilities practically endless. It also goes to show that it all comes down to how you look at something.
Looking at it, you would never think that it was once a long frumpy dress with shoulder pads. Keep reading to see what the original dress looked like, and how you can use a few simple steps to transform it:
Supplies:
– Thrifted Button Down Dress
– Lace Trim
– Fabric Glue
– Paint Brush
– Fabric Scissors
– Scrap Cardboard (Optional/Recommended)
1. Cut the dress so that it is a more wearable length as a cardigan. This is entirely up to you – trim away as little or as much as you’d like. I chose to make my cardigan thigh-length.
Tip: When cutting long dresses such as this one, I find it easier to trim while it is hanging up.
2. Trim and straighten where necessary. Try it on – unbuttoned – to make sure you like the fit and length.
3. If there are shoulder pads, cut them out! These shoulder pads had been attached with just a single stitch and some safety pins.
4. Along the bottom edge, add fabric glue with the paint brush.
5. Add the lace trim, patting down gently. You can even add fabric glue on top of the lace for the especially stubborn spots. It will dry completely clear!
6. Continue along the edge of the cardigan until you reach the end. Trim the lace accordingly.
The entire project, lace trim and fabric glue included, cost less than $10. I love the transformation from frumpy long dress to an easy, breezy cardigan. One would never guess what it used to look like! Keep an eye out for any button down dresses the next time you are at the thrift store.
Tutorial Photos: Kirsten Nunez
Street Style Photos: Haruka Sakaguchi (The Denizen Co.)
Street Style Photos: Haruka Sakaguchi (The Denizen Co.)
xx K