No, seriously.
This IS the easiest refashion on the face of the planet.
I found a boxy shift dress on fifty cent day at the thrift store the other day. It reminded me of the scrubs that nurses wear. But I loved the colors and put it in my basket thinking I could at least make a skirt from the fabric.
It’s hard to tell from the before picture but believe me it was pretty shapeless. However, it was the right length and it just needed a little something around the waist to give it a little bit a structure. The side slits had to go, too.
I began by cutting off the ties.
I then stretched some quarter inch elastic around my waist and cut it to fit.
I turned the dress inside out and stretched the elastic as I sewed it to the existing dress waistline.
I didn’t want the slits up the sides of the dress so I unpicked the finished edges and sewed them together.
I finished it off by top stitching on either side of the new side seam.
Pair it with a thrift store belt and a denim vest (which BTW used to be a denim jacket with too tight sleeves that my daughter donated to my refashioning obsession. I just cut the sleeves off and now have a vest. Thanks, Katie!). And now, I’ve got another new back to school dress.
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The Renegade Seamstress 
Great dress! love the denim vest with it!
Thanks so much, Joen!
So cool, especially with the denim vest. I love the previous one too, great wardrobe! You are inspiring me to take a chance on the thrift store. I really believe in refashioning, that it’s a good thing to do, and that it can be doable thanks to your marvelous success stories.
I’ve really been having a great time doing this kind of sewing. I’ve always had such trouble finding things to fit properly, so not only has this been a money saver for me, but I’m ending up with clothes that fit me much better than Ready to Wear. I would encourage you to take that chance on the thrift stores and look at clothes for their possibilities. Good luck and please keep me posted on your progress and projects! I’d love to see what you do!
Beth
Adorable! And the vest really sets it off! Another amazing before and after! 🙂
Thank you! I’ve been thinking about declaring this school year as the Year of the Dress.
I think you should go for it! You can always wear tights and boots when the weather gets cold, right? 🙂
I like the vest! This dress would look even cuter if you made it sleeveless. Just an idea 🙂
That would be cute, too but I’m a little self conscious about baring my upper arms at work.
So pretty! (Especially with the vest!)
Thanks so much!!!
So cute, Beth!
Thanks, Cara! I hope you’re feeling better!
I really wish I could do this, but A. I have very poor sewing skills and B. I don’t own a sewing machine. I do enjoy seeing the refashions you make! Keep up the good work!
Looks great, especially paired with the jacket. Love quick and easy projects.
Thanks, Trudy! This was super quick and easy!
Beth
you make everything look and seem so easy! 😉 great dress refashion! 😉
Thanks so much!
Great directions and visuals.
Thank you!
Came across your website today and I’m feeling inspired….. Keep up the good work.