Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The Mend and Make Do Dress


Yesterday was my first day of class as a senior in college. I didn't have much time to put together a new outfit, so I threw this on, one of my go-to's this summer. I call it my "mend and make do dress." I found it at an estate sale at the beginning of the summer and just had to buy it. The dress was literally in shreds, but I loved the fabric and the pattern of the neckline I just had to take it home and see what I could salvage. The skirt was fully intact and had no tears, so at least I could have made a skirt out of it. The real problem was the bodice and it needed buttons. I got to work and first I cleaned the dress (it smelled super musty) and then got to work ironing. I figured it would be easiest to put back together if it was pressed. Once that was done, I got out the pin cushion and got to work piecing it back together. Most of the problems on the bodice were loose seams, but there where a few rips not in the seams and there was a hole that had been patched with the same material behind it. I got it all put back together in one sitting and was soooooo excited to wear it. I normally wear it with the black sweater because it hides the patched hole, but you can hardly see that anyways. For some reason there is a dark mark on the dress in the picture, but there are no stains on it...weird!

What are your favorite mend and make do items?

Emily


Dress: Estate Sale

Sweater: Target

Shoes and Watch: JC Penny

Purse: Michael Kors

2 comments:

Amy said...

Boy, if only people could have seen this dress "before." It truly was in shreds. You did a fabulous job of mending it, Emily. I think I am becoming a good photographer.

Mom

Wanda said...

Awww. I love that! Looks like you did a great job of reclaiming the dress. Wonder what the original owner would think?