Last summer, I started altering a big white shirt into a dress (thank you, Lorri Scott!). I should have taken pictures of the process, but I wasn't organized enough to do that; so, I will describe the process.
I started with a big white shirt (long sleeves, long hem, great side pockets and a breast pocket). I dyed the shirt and some linens all together (the different fabrics took the dye in various shades, even though they were in in the same dye pot - and the thread used on the shirt remained white). The longest time was spent in deciding what to put where.
I made a skirt extension out of dyed ribbon, placemats, a table cloth and antimacassars. I added buttonholes to make sure my dress does not pop open (a challenge, because my trusty Bernina decided the automatic buttonhole function should not function) and replaced the shirt buttons with some of my handmade polymer buttons (interestingly, the white buttons on the shirt took the dye, so I kept the sleeve buttons on and will use the rest in another project).
Below are way too many photos of my dress.
Below is a photo where you can better see the sarri ribbon and flower trim I used as embellishment, also the ribbon I died on the top of one sleeve and the cuff of the other sleeve.
A close up of the the dress front (pocket embellishment and sari ribbons band).
Below is a close up of the buttons I made.
The photo below shows the skirt extension of tablecloth, placemat and antimaccassar on the front of the dress.
Below is the back of the dress.
A side view of the dress.
The other side of the dress'
Honestly, you never cease to amaze me with the depth of your creativity. I love the dress -- I bet you look great in it! I want to hear that you wore it to the cookie party!
Posted by: jeanie | December 16, 2012 at 05:08 PM
Love this altered dress that started life as a shirt. Great job!
Posted by: Elaine Akers | December 13, 2012 at 11:02 AM
I DO like this! What a great way to reuse things. I'm guessing that the thread was polyester since the dye didn't take there. I think that part was a cool extra w/o extra work! Nice job!
Posted by: carol sloan | December 12, 2012 at 02:08 PM
OMG Joanne, I can't believe I almost missed this! It is gorgeous!! It looks so comfy and festive. Lorri really inspired you, didn't she?
Posted by: Kris | December 07, 2012 at 11:12 AM
This is wonderful!!!! Not too many pictures at all :) This dress is very YOU! love the colour.... very ME!
Posted by: martha brown | December 01, 2012 at 06:03 PM
Love the color. Love the embellishments. Hope to see this perfect for the holidays dress this week at one of our get togethers.
Posted by: Last minute lynn | November 30, 2012 at 11:23 PM
What a fabulous dress - perfect for the holidays!! xo
Posted by: Deb | November 30, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Sooooo cool and TODAY-looking!! Shabby Chic!! Well done, Joanne.
Posted by: abby lazar | November 30, 2012 at 09:26 AM
How very awesome! Can't wait to see a photo of you modeling it! Great work!
Posted by: Jackie Smith | November 30, 2012 at 09:11 AM
For the Holidays? I hope so. It's perfect to wear for Christmas.
Posted by: Judy Streger | November 29, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Love it Joanne! I'm amazed at what all you did to change this shirt into a dress! Awesome!
Posted by: Andi | November 29, 2012 at 01:58 PM
this is gorgeous!
Posted by: kathy | November 29, 2012 at 12:14 PM