I was recently claiming that I don't have much leopard print in my closet, but truth be told, I don't really have much "natural" leopard print. Actually, make that none at all. That's ok because I love the pieces I do have. Take the colors in this Alberto Makali dress for example...
I'm drawn to the combo of turquoise, navy and lavender of it. Wild, but since the fabric is a wrinkled cotton, it comes across much softer. It's the length of the dress that didn't work so well for me...
Not so good, right? When I tried it on, my first thought was "Little House on the Prairie" gone crazy! But I love the top half, it's perfect for hot nights out in Texas and it's form fitting enough through the waist to give me a bit of curve, and I'll take any help I can get in that direction!
Yup, out with my beloved sewing machine.
I know it seems like I alter everything and that's all I post but I promise that's really not the case with my closet. I am on the short side (and currently on the broke side,) and I just really like to update what I have, to make it more unique and more me. Very little of what I own is in it's original purchased state.
Anyway, back to the dress. I thought this would be a simple hemming of the dress and it's under skirt but I was so wrong! I wanted to keep the navy lace at the bottom of the dress so I had to very carefully remove it first. Then, because of the wrinkles, it was difficult to cut a straight, even edge! Being a delicate cotton, to do an actual hem would weigh it down in a weird way so I had to do a very tight, compact stitch at the bottom to keep the fabric from unraveling. This was a first for me and a little nerve wracking! Reattaching the lace was quite time consuming, once again due to the wrinkle of the fabric. So something I thought would take an hour or so MAX, took me an entire afternoon! But the outcome is exactly as I envisioned it...
Much more fun, much more me. I'm planning on using a little safari style jacket over it for a day look. And I have a large chunk left that I intend to make into a scarf.
Maybe it's my love of DIY, or maybe I'm just not an off the rack kind of girl, (it would be so much easier if I was,) but I also love knowing I have a one of a kind.
J.
40 comments:
the dress is so pretty, i love the result!
très jolie, et je préfère le modèle sur la dernière photo.
Elle est magnifique cette robe en courte
Love the dress & the colors of the print :)
gorgeous dress ;) you should come to the next fashion lunch...
http://www.newtoatx.com/2010/05/25/atx-ladies-who-lunch-june-3-2010/
I. Love. It. The print is STUNNING; and the length is just perfection - especially adoring the lace hem you added. It makes me think of the underwear as outerwear trend. Gorgeous!! :)
Try cutting it & um I guess, & put a over sized belt and see how it looks.
=)
:Salutes:
adorable dress. love the print.
x
i love your makeover of this dress!! It's perfection!
Amber
ambersmouthwash
Well done! I was kind of worried when I saw the first photo...haha
Melanie@Unravelled Threads
Wow you are so crafty!
I love both lengths- you are absolutely beautiful in either one.
the print is great and love the new length- and i also think it's wonderful that you alter everything! when i buy something there is usually one thing that i'd love to change about it. it's great that you're able to tailor it into something you'd actually wear - otherwise, it just never gets worn.
wow, this dress turned out amazing! the new length looks so much better, and your legs look great in it! you're so crafty - i really wish i was on friendlier terms with the sewing machine so i could alter stuff myself too..
thats a fun dress!
LOVE how you shortened it. It looks just fabulous on you!
nice printed dress!
thanks for stopping by at my blog.
hugs and kisses,
NORA
Fashion Fantasy Land
Finished product looks great! <3
it's super pretty! love the colour too, so refreshing
amazing J well done !!! I love it and the trim is just darling. I do love a high impact print, very sexy cut. You look fab. Have a great weekend, and hope you have lots of sun to show off this dress and your ace pins xxxxxx
well i love the look its smashing maybe a belt or some tights thats just suggesting i like it the way it is though
i am the same way... for the most part and alter, change or wear things other than the way they were intended :) it's fun!
xo
Love this lepard pattern!
Great outfit.
XX
http://tokyofashionholic.blogspot.com/
the print of the dress is wonderful !
have a great weekend !
GLISTERS & BLISTERS
I love what you did to this dress! Its so pretty now, love the print! :)
It may have taken more work than you bargained for, but it turned out great!!! I love that you kept the lace at the bottom. I'm such a sucker for lace =)
If you are coming up from Texas to WI, I would suggest going through the Evansville area of IN. Part of that town is very cutesy.
Hi, I love your blog.
I want to invite you to visit mine and become one of my followers, don't worry because I'll follow you too.
http://miabbook.blogspot.com/
Kisses,
Mia
lovely fabric!
You've got one cool fashion sense, darl! The dress definitely look younger and hip after you DIY! Great job!
Fantastic DIY honey! love the lace trim
xxx
you look fantastic, j!!! creative retouch of the dress, too. fresher and prettier!
i'm glad that you like my comments ^^ keep in touch!!
The colours are perfect and an amazing alteration job. Love the idea for the scarf!
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes.
x
I LOVE your dress! leopard print it so fun ;)
End result is sexy! Great job :)
im loving leopard print right now x
You've done a great job by 'spicing' up the dress. The print is fabulous and it looks amazing on you now!
A. I love leopard.
B. Congrats on your dress transformation..looks fantastic.
xo Mish
cool leopard dress post!!!!!!
thanx for visitin:))
kiss
www.thebeautifulandthehard.blogspot.com
No way dont appologise I love seeing your creations. I am so lame with sewing, if I cant wonderweb it, I have to pay to get it altered - at least it gets done right! I currently have a shameful bag of things I have chopped up (thats the easy bit) and now are waiting to get fixed LOL! The dress is 100% better now, stunning x
ooh i love that dress! the colors are SO pretty. clearly unnatural leopard print is the best :) ~joelle
Nice dress, Honey!
♥
SO PRETTY!!!
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