OK, so maybe I HAVE been watching too much Mad Men this summer.
BUT THOSE DRESSES!!!!
I just can’t get enough!
I want one…….
So…..
I found this little number at the thrift store the other day and made it into this:
Here’s how:
First look in the mirror and pull the dress up until you get the desired hem length. Mark with safety pins where you would like the bottom of the bodice and the top of the skirt.
Stretch some quarter inch elastic around your waist to the desired tension. Cut and sew onto seam allowance, stretching as you sew to create a gathered look.
Now you could walk right into Sterling Cooper with your steno pad and start taking dictation for Don Draper.
And I seriously made it in ten minutes yesterday.
You might also like to check out some other tutorials:
Thanks for visiting!
Beth
The Renegade Seamstress 
Beautiful fabric and a darling result!
Thanks, Sarah! I want to have one in every color for each day of the week to wear next school year. 🙂
Beth
Love! This one is work worthy!
Oh, yes! I was thinking of declaring next year, “The Year of No Pants”. What do you think?
I would have to do some serious refashioning to make that commitment! But it is a wonderful idea!
That’s a great transformation.
Thank you! It’s amazing what a few snips of the scissors, a new seam and a little elastic will do.
Have a great day!
Beth
Such a pretty print. I love the colours!
Cheers,
Laura
Thanks, Laura.
The print and the color caught my eye in the thrift store, too.
I can’t wait to wear this to work.
Beth
Love the dress style of the 50’s and 60’s – they were so much more feminine and prettier.
I agree, much more feminine. I’m loving this style now, too. I always wondered if it would look good on me and now I want one in every color for every day of the week.
Thanks for the comment!
Beth
Love the dress and the fabric,…..but….be careful of Mr. Draper!
I’d be Mr. Draper’s secretary ANYTIME!!!! 🙂
LoOove Mad Men, and looove the dress!!
I’m just finishing up Season 2. I’ll start Season 3 tonight. I just can’t get enough of it!
Ooooh you’re so lucky! I wish I had that much to watch! My husband and I are all caught up, we have to wait so long for the next season!
I’m set for a whole summer’s worth of viewing pleasure!!! I was watching Downton Abbey. (Another great series with amazing fashions. I highly recommend this if you haven’t already watched this) But there are only two seasons so far and I don’t know if the third has started yet. So in comes Mad Men to save the day!!!!
Oh I’ll have to look into that. I’ve never heard of it!
I love it, they get you hooked with the styles and the story lines…
Gotta get yourself one of these now!!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/98142532/mad-men-joan-holloway-pen-necklace?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_includes%5B0%5D=materials&ga_page=1&ga_search_query=mad+men+pen+necklace&ga_ref=related&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=mad+men+pen+necklace&ga_view_type=gallery
Ohhhhh, that looks so fun!
I love this dress Soooooo much! way to go! What a great refashion! 🙂
Thank you sooooo much! I’m heading to the thrift store today to find some more dresses for this look. I want one for everyday of the week. 🙂
Beth
DEFINITELY!!! It looks so adorable on you!
I love your dress!!! I’m a Mad Men fan and love the look of the show. Great job!
Thanks, Alice! I love the show, too. I’ve just started Season 3 on my Kindle. It’s a fun way to end my day.
Beth
You’re so stinken’ cute! Love the dress too. 😉
Awwwwww, thanks! 🙂
I adore it!!
Thank you!!!!
Gorgeous! You have an amazing eye for potential, Beth x
Thanks, Janene!!! Reminds me of your great vintage dresses.
Beth
Lovely dress! You really made it click!
Thank you Lisa! I’m heading to the thrift store today to see if I can find some more dresses to refashion into this style. It’s so comfy, I could wear one everyday!
Beth
Ahhhh, I’ve been wondering what you have been up to!! Seriously, I have been waiting to see what creations are coming out of summer vacation! I like this dress. There is something nostalgic or romantic about a figure fitting shirt waist dirndl type dress. Nice!
Hey Barb,
Welcome home! I’m going to call you so we can set up a day trip to Wolf Creek on the boat with you and Craig.
I love it! so darn cute!!
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
Thank you Sharon! I could seriously wear this everyday. IT’S SO COMFY!!!!
Beth
Really cute! thanks for the great tutorials.
You are so welcome, Joen. Thank YOU for your encouragement!
Beth
Hi Beth,
Great idea!
Thanks for stopping by my blog =)
Betty
Thanks, Betty!
You have some fun ideas, too!
Beth
WOW! This looks amazing! You are so clever at picking out thrifted (we call them op shops in Australia) dresses. Do you have any tips on what to look for? I would LOVE to try something like this. The fabric is just gorgeous!
Thanks for all of your kind comments!
When I go shopping, I don’t always know what I’m going to make from each item. Sometimes it sits in my refashion closet for months before I get an inspiration.
But, before anything goes in my shopping basket, it has to have some fabric I like. Once in awhile, I buy it because I like the buttons or some other embellishment. Or maybe it’s a quality brand. I usually shop on half price days, too. That way I will be more willing to take a risk and not hesitate to jump right in and try something. If it doesn’t work out, I don’t feel too bad about the investment.
I hope this helps and I’m so excited to see what you make.
Enjoy your day!
Beth
I love this dress and you are such a great fashion model! I wish I could sew like you because not only are you truly talented but you are chic too! 🙂
Awwwww, thanks! You are so sweet. This whole refashioning, sewing and blogging thing just makes me happy.
Enjoy your day!
Beth
As always amazing:) I have been meaning to tell you how much I love your posed after photos. They are always engaging and so well staged.
Thank you Sarah! I’ll have to mention that to my my fifteen year old son. He’s a good sport and in between football practice, tubing the river, and learning to drive he becomes my “fashion photographer”. He’s a good sport.
Looks like you’ve been having lots of fun in Seattle!
Beth
I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award. Congratulations!
Thank you so much!!
I love it! Just wondering why you “eased” the extra fabric instead of gathering it? Does it look different or is it easier?
Dear Iris,
I think easing it gives it a slightly different look. Not necessarily easier. I think you would definitely want to gather it if you had lots of fabric you were trying to fit in. Otherwise it might end up with a pleated look, which would be fine if that’s what you were going for.
Thanks for the visit!
Beth
lovely! The fabric looks comfy.
Very comfy, thank you!
Beth
Such a cute dress! You really have an eye for finding good thrift store items and turning them into something special! Thank you for sharing your tutorial. As always, so helpful!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Laura!
Beth
Love it! You are so creative…
This is just adorable – I’d never have thought there’d be enough fabric to make it from that dress! what a great thrift 😀 xXx
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wow, that looks great.
Thanks, Susie! I’m working on a similar dress right now.
Beth
I love your blog. I can’t get over how much there is to try out! It’s great. This Madmen dress is great. ….thanks for liking my page too!
Thank you! You’re right there are so many possibilities.
Enjoy your day!!!
Beth
Reblogged this on vinniestovogue.
What a transformation!
Jenny x
Thanks, Jenny! It’s one of my favorite dresses!
Wow, what a good refashion, you turned a dowdy dress into a cute retro number! 🙂
Thank you! It’s one of my favorite dresses. I even wore it this winter with a sweater.
Happy Saturday!
Beth
Oh my goodness, that is the most adorable thing ever! Love the entire outfit!
Thank you so much!!!!
Hi Beth,
That is a great upcycle! Wonderful fabric, and I am sure you will get lots of wear out of it.
Trish
Thanks, Trish! I did wear it quite a bit last summer and fall. I wore it a couple times this winter with a sweater, tights and boots. I can’t wait to have tan legs so I can wear it again.
Beth
Wow Beth, this is fantastic! I’ve been seeing a lot of Mad Men inspired dresses on other sewing blogs, but this is the first refashioned one I’ve seen. I love it. I haven’t been lucky to find any dresses to refashion as of yet. But I’m going op-shopping on Monday with that goal in mind. (Preferably to find .49 dresses – we’ll see!)
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i think you’re a genius:) this dress is my favorite refashion:)
Awwwwwww……thanks!!!!!
You are very talented, thanks for sharing your talent and skills with us (me). I will put many of your tips to work like…now! I found you on Pinterest.
Thank you, Carlyn! Have fun!!!!
Thanks so much for visiting and Clicking the Like Button. Blessings, Mtetar
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A great refashion! I need to keep the end result in mind when i see something at the thrift store or yard sale 🙂 *note to self-cut the top of the skirt and the bottom of the bodice! I love your finished dress ❤
Kudzu
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Wonderful job on the refashion! So glad you’re showing and reminding the world that even used clothing has value!
Your ideas are great! I wish I knew how to sew. I wonder if I can do any of this by hand….?
Thanks Danielle! If you ‘d like to learn to sew, check out these posts: https://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/learn-to-sew/
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