Let the Spring Collection Begin!!!
I had so much fun coming up with today’s look. As some of you may know, me and polka dots have had our run-ins in the past. But as I get older and wiser, lol, I have come to learn how to use polka dots in moderation.
This dress had many changes along the way in the design process. Initially it was going to be way more modern looking, with the polka dots going in specific design directions. But a simple zipper from Coats and Clark changed all of that. Upon seeing that zipper I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do, and it all started with a simple men’s button down…
I really went all out with that ‘Before’ picture, didn’t I?! Its like the infomercials when the before picture has no makeup on and is tired looking. Wrinkled shirt straight from the Plus Size Section on the Salvation Army – $2. Perfect!
Needless to say, I am thrilled with how this dress turned out! It just may be my favorite thing from the entire collection. Which makes it even more fun to premier on the blog.
Let me show you how you can make this fabulous upcycle…
Materials:
- Men’s XXXL Button Down
- Fabric Paint
- Pencil
- 7″ Zipper
- Basic Sewing Essentials
- Basic Bodice Pattern, such as The Cottage Mama’s Party Dress Pattern
- Buttons (Optional)
Instructions:
Be sure to hop on over to check out how you can make an easy interchangeable fabric headband in less than 5 minutes!
Thanks so much for stopping by, until next time…
Happy Sewing!
Impressed! Amazing before-after pictures! Really beautiful dress, great job! Thanks for sharing, it will inspire me!
http://alamainmaligne.blogspot.fr/
Thank you so much for your sweet words!
You are amazing! This is gorgeous!
Awww – thank you, I really had a lot of fun with it
Получилось очень красиво:)
What a lovely dress, but I think the collar buttons are my favorite part. That’s such an awesome detail!
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So so cute! And thank you for the tutorial – a great use of an old shirt.
Thank you!!! Anything that costs $2 is great by me
Love the polka-dots…I am always a polka dot fan, and that zipper is perfect one the dress!!!!
I KNOW!!! Right? I loooove that zipper, its the perfect finishing touch!
Thanks for the tutorial! It’s a darling dress!
Thank you so much, you are so nice
It took me a minute to figure out there are buttons on the neck. What a cute dress. Although I think the little girl makes the dress.
Thanks for sharing!
Naturally, I think she is the best part of the photos
. Thank you so much Kristie, you are so sweet!
Love..love…love…love….love… Did I mention that I love it?
hahahhaa – thank you Zoe!
Such a pretty dress! I love the random polka dots.:)
Thank you Cindy! You should have seen me trying to get them to look just ‘right’ with the rotation around my ironing board and tin foil underneath…lol. The things we do
This dress is AWESOME! And you are totally AMAZING! Your blog never ceases to amaze me. I love to sew but I don’t have the gutts to try making something from scratch like you are always doing. I love how you take a $2 bargain blouse and make it into such a pretty creation. Thanks for always sharing and inspiring!
Oh my goodness, thank you so very much! I think it is so much fun to try to make things from upcycled items! That way if it ends up being an epic FAIL, which it does sometimes, you have only $2 invested
This is probably my favourite shirt upcycling project ever. It turned out so well — no wonder you’re thrilled!
Thank you so much!!! I do love it, this will definitely see a lot of action in our house!
Very pretty. I really need to try some of the fun fabric paint ideas. ~Major Moma
Definitely! I love using stamps on fabric now…might be addicted
Wow – brilliant!
Thank you!
That is beautiful! I am so amazed at your ability to upcycle! Wow!
Thank you so much!
When I first saw your collection I couldn’t wait to see this piece unfolded and it does not disappoint!! It is my favorite; I love it. Great job and thanks for the tute!
It might be my favorite too….although there are these leggings that are pretty much hidden in that photo
oh, I love it! I do NOT have time today to make one, but now it’s ALL I want to do!!! (Hmmm, how to rearrange the schedule – we don’t REALLY need groceries or clean clothes, do we?…)
You are so sweet Janice, thank you so much!!! Plenty of time before Easter
That’s so adorable! Thank you could make one in my size?
Definitely very MadMen now that I think about it…would be fun to try!!!
I love what you did with the Party Dress bodice. I’ve made the party dress but want to try your version. The zipper is the best part. I must try your tutorial!
Mary (Hawaii)
I have used that Party Dress pattern so many times, it is a great starting off point. Not to mention that it is a fabulous pattern all on its own of course! Lindsay is incredible.
Stopping over for a visit from The Polka Dot Chair! WOW! This is absolutely amazing. I am just beginning to work on up-cycle projects and could never have dreamed this up. What an inspiration! Can’t wait to see what else you will be making. Three little girls in this house means I will definitely be trying the headband too!
Thanks so much Lindsey! I absolutely love sewing for my girls, such satisfaction is seeing them twirl in the creations we can make
Love the Polka Dots!! The whole dress is adorable! I will be bookmarking this one for sure! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Thanks so much Sativa!
Gah! So cute! I love that zipper.
You are always so sweet – thank you
That is so cute! Love the dots scattered across the bottom. And I love how you re-used the collar. =)
The collar is another one of my favorite features! I love reusing little bits like that
Ooh this is my new favorite!
hahahha – thank you Emily!! I was thinking about you today, how are you doing?
I’m dying right now! This dress is in my top 5 of everything I have seen from you! That zipper!!!! I need some of those. You are so talented and it is so fun to see your creations. Great tutorial as well.
Thank you so much Jen – that is huge coming from you!!! I just may have an extra zipper I can send you
Wow, this is an upcycle for the record books…I mean, I would be drawn to this dress on a rack in any store. Those polka dots! And such a clear tutorial, thanks for that…I love reading the process. I hope this is one of her faves!
Thank you thank you thank you! That is like the best compliment ever! You rock!
so cute jess!
thank you so much Kate
Jess…you are a genius. I can’t believe you made this out of a men’s shirt! I’m kicking myself for tossing one that looks very similar to yours. From now on I’m just shipping them to you. -Jen
hahahahhahaha – please. I want to see what YOU make with it! You have such fantastic taste and style, I love everything you guys do Jen!!!
Holy Cow, cutest thing ever! I’ve been so nervous about cutting up my husbands shirts, but this looks so doable!
ohhhhhhhh do it do it do it do it do it do it…now it feels like peer pressure. Lol
SUPER CUTE, I have never seen a zipper like that. Guess I may have to get out more?
definitely! I love the polka dots and their metallic zippers, so my favorites!!!
So gorgeous, Jessica! Awesom job – I think I want one for me.
Thanks so much Melissa
This is lovely!! So fresh. I can’t wait until Eddie starts to toddle around {well I can wait, really I can!} so I can start making cute dresses again!
Seriously Jess, the dress is ADORABLE and your sweet girl is even more ADORABLE. You need to post some new pics of them on FB! I may be making a dress for annabelle for easter now (i had a perfectly good dress for her which seems terribly inadequate now) :/
My little girls need this in really bright colors
My little girls need this in really bright colors
This is adorable, thanks so much for sharing!
So your little girl and the dress are so cute! How well does that fabric paint hold up in the wash?
amazing refashion !!!
really turned out wonderful !
This is simply incredible. You have packed so many design details in a single dress and they work so well together. Its the best refashion I have seen in a long time.
Best remix ever! I love this and that exposed polka dot zipper is so unexspected
Such a stylish dress, I featured it here:
http://sewprettysewfree.blogspot.com/2013/04/sewing-tutorial-polka-dot-dress-upcycle.html
Me encanta!!! es precioso y te ha quedado fenomenal, un 10.
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