“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
~Coco Chanel
Welcome to Week Three of Refashion Runway! This week’s challenge is “Copycat”. Each seamstress chose a look from a catalog or celebrity and refashioned something to copy that look.
Please remember to vote for your favorite using the poll at the bottom of this post. Voting will be open until Friday, June 28. Your public votes and the competitor’s score of each other will be combined to determine a winner. We will announce the winner of this week’s challenge next Saturday. Also, the two refashions with the lowest scores will be “going home”, but we won’t send them home without some great prizes, I promise! Remember, this is a “Friendly Sewing Competition”. 
Let’s see what Mary from Thrifty Chic has been up to this week:
“I saw this Michael Kors dress on his Facebook page and fell in love with
it’s simple elegance.
I had this very simple LBD in my closet that had not been used since my last
funeral. This dress needed some
cheering up and Michael provided the idea.
I could not believe my luck when I went to Goodwill and found
the exact print used in Michael’s dress
as I came across this little number from Ann Taylor!
Here is a close up of the print:
I love the simple elegance of this dress, not to mention the slimming
magic of color blocking!
I’m totally thrilled with the outcome and can’t wait to wear it out. Because I
only spent $7.99 making the dress,
I was able to afford the amazing shoes I am wearing in the picture. Another perk of
refashioning!”-Mary
————————–
Let’s check in on Katrina, from Offsquare:
“I love the look of this dress from Urban
Outfitters. It’s so versatile, feminine and a bit sassy.
So when I found this sheer
tunic, I knew it would be perfect for a copycat version. I combined various parts
from three different sewing patterns in my stash to create the bodice and then lined
the garment with fabric from a thrifted black valance.
This challenge has taught me
so much about the construction of dresses and also about drafting patterns. I feel
inspired now to learn more about pattern making and the techniques involved.”-Katrina
——————–
Here’s Jen from Diary of a Madmama
“I had a hard time finding an outfit to copy for this week’s theme! I
scoured through countless magazines, perused several fashion sites, and
FINALLY found a look I not only liked, but knew it was something I’d
actually wear!
This Anthropologie blouse costs a whopping
$78.00! And the shorts another $68.00! That’s a total of $146.00 for 1
stinkin’ outfit!
Although I like this look, I definitely don’t like it enough to shell out
that kind of cash!
Well, it’s a good thing I didn’t have to!
I got both of the shirts for my refashion for 49-cents (plus tax) at my
local thrift store, and the pants came out of my closet.
My daughter wants me to make a similar pair of shorts for her, and my
youngest son thinks the shirt looks like it has a built-in tie, and wants
me to make him a “boy version!” What a compliment!
So with what cost me $1.04 (including tax), I was able to refashion a
copycat version of this $146.00 Anthropologie outfit!
That’s a savings of $144.96! Woohoo!
———————
Elizabeth from The Hungry Octopus was busy, too!
“This week I decided to break out of my “refashion a dress” rut. It was time for
something different. Something outside my comfort zone. Something Gwen Stefani.
I’ve secretly admired her sense of style for quite a while. She’s definitely more
daring than I am when it comes to clothing, and copying one of her looks definitely
gave me an opportunity to break out of my refashioning rut! I started with a pair of
black slacks that were too long and too loose for short self, and a black satiny
blouse that didn’t quite fit. (Gwen’s original top was leather, but the satiny
fabric was a more sensible and versatile choice.)
Turning the slacks into skinny jeans was easy enough, but the shirt was far more
challenging. First, I removed the sleeves, collar, and ruffles, and undid the side
seams. Then I removed the front darts and turned the shirt around so that the back
was now the front. After altering the neck and arms, and adding new darts and a side
zipper, I drafted a pattern for the asymmetrical peplum. Once everything was put
together I threw on my favorite heels and tried to strike a rocker pose. (Try being
the operative word…)”- Elizabeth
———————–
Here’s Miche from Buttons and Birdcages:
“I have been in love with this dress from Anthropologie since I saw it
online, but with a price tag of $268 it was WAY out of my budget. Seeing
this challenge inspired me to try to recreate it so I hit the fabric store
to buy some ribbon. Only problem – it didn’t come in the right colors, so I
bought some paint and decided I would just paint the ribbon the right
color. The next challenge was finding a base dress, it’s always harder when
you’re looking for something specific. After what felt like a lifetime of
searching I found this too big, and sleeved (but white) dress on clearance.
Unfortunately, in what can only be referred to as ‘The memory card incident
of 2013’ the photos of me wearing the dress before have been lost, but
thankfully I took a photo of it on my dress form (albeit, inside out –
sorry everyone), just before starting the project. Though challenging, I
was able to complete the dress for $37, which is $231 less than the Anthro
version!”
———————–
Here’s what Sally, from Charity Shop Chic has been doing all week:
“This Stella McCartney ‘Saskia’ dress has been worn by everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow
to British Olympian Victoria Pendleton.
I set out to make my own version using a
velour tracksuit and a couple of T-shirts!
The pattern cutting was relatively
tricky, but I’m delighted with my dress, which I wore to an awards ceremony last
week. I think I looked the part!”-Sally
Well, there you are! Another tough decision. Please use the poll below to cast your vote for your favorite refashion this week.
Just a note to the competitors:
Please send your scores to me by Wednesday, June 26. Please score each other on a scale of 1-10 on each of the following areas: Following the challenge, originality, craftsmanship, design and presentation.
You might also enjoy:
The Renegade Seamstress 
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Wow I love all of these refashions!
I am really surprised by all of them, they’re all a fabulous piece of art!!
http://www.angelfairydust.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/angelfairydustrefashionsuk
Please check out my blog and Facebook page!!
Everyone did a fantastic job!! Very creative and thrifty. Was hard to vote..Had to think which one I would like in my closet if I could choose only one. 🙂
~L
Thanks for voting, Louise!! It was another hard decision!!
Oh it’s so hard to choose a favourite!!
Such a great job ladies!!
Take a look at my blog by clicking on my name!
Find me on Facebook
Facebook.com/Angelfairydustrefashionsuk
(Sorry if this posted twice my phone battery died during posting an it didn’t show up!!)
http://www.facebook.com/angelfairydustrefashionsuk
Hi Lauren, Have you considered “sewing along” with us?
Yes, it was so hard to decide, but I agree with SlaveToMyNeedles, I had to think which one I would like in my closet! That made the choice a bit easier.
I agree, super hard to choose just one favorite. Thanks for voting!
Wow . . . you’ve all outdone yourselves! I’m SO impressed!!! 🙂
Yes, very creative ladies!!! Thanks again for being a sponsor!!
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FANTASTIC. All of them.
It’s so fun to see what each of these impressive seamstresses create each week. It’s cool how each refashion is so different. Thanks for voting!!
Holy moly, this is going to be hard to choose. I LOVE them all! The competitors are really “bringing it.” I’m going to have to look at the entries several times before I make my final vote. Plus I’m going to have to create judging criteria to help me decide, like creativity, difficulty, closeness to the original, fit, description of the creative process, final outfit, and modeling. Youza, this is getting hard.
Great ideas for the voting criteria!
This was the toughest vote yet!
Yes, I totally agree, it just keeps getting tougher and tougher!
Very impressive! 🙂
They all rocked this challenge!!!
I love the Michael Kors dress and Sheer shirt dress look more. Nice outfits .
Thanks for voting, KImberly!!!
This is absolutely the best one yet. I would wear them all. So hard to decide. I may have to get my hubby to help me narrow it down. Great job ladies!!!!!
I love how they are all challenging themselves!!!
Al Vita Zane! Kiss Kiss! Thank you for hosting Refashion Runway! The competition really inspired me to do some creative projects. I thought my week three was the best of all my refashions so far. I am still super excited to share it with you! Please visit me a https://zibergirl.wordpress.com.
Good Luck everyone!
Yes, Barbara, I loved your colorful look for this week, too. It looked great on you! I was so sad to see you go. Have fun with your sewing and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for all of us!!!
I agree with all the previous posts – all of these are fantastic!! So much talent & creativity here! I can’t decide yet!
You have until midnight Friday to make this tough decision. Just don’t forget to vote!! 🙂
I am enjoying this tremendously. Sorry but impossible to vote. Based on looks alone each project is surprisingly well-done. And when I think of all the creative techniques that were learned and used it inspires me like crazy!! Great job everyone!!
I’m so glad this has inspired you!!! Have you considered “sewing along” with us?
Pingback: Refashion Runway Competition: Week Three – Copycat! | Diary of a MadMama
First week that I’m stumped as to who to vote for! They’re all so, so impressive! ~M.
http://redesignedbym.wordpress.com/
I agree, some talented ladies here!!!
Nice job ladies!!! I put in my vote! Personally— I was kinda stumped this week with my SEW ALONG piece…..So it’s still in progress! 🙂
I’ll post the “sew alongs” on Friday, so you still have time. Thanks for voting!!!
These ladies are amazing! It is so fun looking at their creations.
I’m amazed each week at their inventiveness, too!
Great job aunt Mary pat!
She’s amazing!!!
So pretty!! Amazing job.
Did you vote?
These are all very impressive!
I hope you voted!
All of the ladies are doing a great job but Elizabeth from “The Hungry Octopus” blows me away with her creativity!!! Keep up the good work and good luck to all the ladies!
Thanks so much! That means a lot!
– Elizabeth
aka The Hungry Octopus
I hope you’re following her on Facebook!
Absolutely! What a marvelous talent combined with super creativity. Elizabeth is amazing.
Oh, this was a tough one…hard to choose! I love how they are all starting to move outside their comfort zone and try more challenging things – one of the nice perks of a refashioning competition!
Some of the best things happen when we move out of our comfort zones!!
Amazing work, I love it and would wear it!
🙂
Oh my that was a difficult choice, but I think I picked the winner!!
Thanks for voting!!!!
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they are all amazing pieces! congrats to all of you. maybe one day i can join you guys.
I hope you will!!!
awesome!!!
Thanks for voting!
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Very hard to vote this week! Well done ladies
Thanks for voting, Erica!
These rock the house – all the ladies nailed it out of the ball park this week. It was so hard to choose – they were all great AND they all captured the gist of the assignment. It was so hard to pick.
Thanks for voting, Jennifer!
Another tough decision. I like Copycat week… I think I might have to a Copycat post soon 😀
I hope you do, I’d love to see it!
Wow, this has to be the toughest week to choose! All of them are amazing and so inspiring too!
There is some incredible talent here!
I think this has been the most difficult week! however, since I have no idea how to sew a stitch I went with what looked the most complex to me and voted for that one!
Thanks for voting, Kelli!
Wow what fantastic jobs everyone done…. Love it!!
Did you have a chance to vote?
Yeah I voted! 🙂
Thanks so much!!
It really is hard to choose just one! They’re all wonderful refashions! 🙂 Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for voting!
Beth
Wow, the skill levels have gone up and up! Very impressive-almost impossible to choose. Don’t think I’ll be adding my sewalong this week 😀
Oh, we would love to see what you did!!!
this has been the hardest voting decision so far! everyone went above and beyond this week.
It’ll be fun to see what next week brings!
I love all of these … made it hard to choose! The gals are really doing a great job.
Isn’t this fun! I can’t wait to see what next week brings….
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all did a great job, it was hard to pick just one. Great outfit Jen.
Thank you! 🙂
Thanks for voting, Joann!
They’re all so great – how to pick a favorite? Great job, everyone!
It’s getting harder and harder to choose!
This has all been so much fun!
I’ve enjoyed it, too!!
would love to see a prom dress remake, especially a prom dress to modest prom dress remake
Hi Ramona,
A prom dress remake would be fun! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for a good one at the thrift store.
Beth
I actually remade a prom dress I found at a yard sale a few months ago – just waited until Refashion Runway to post it, I technically made it less modest (I think it was from the 80’s), but you should check it out anyway!
http://buttonsandbirdcages.com/2013/07/07/80s-prom-dress-refashion/
I’m heading over right now to check it out!!
These are wonderful! It was hard to chose just one…and it makes me want to go shopping and not buy anything. Then go home and try to make my favorites.
That’s a great idea for getting inspiration. Try things on and say, hey, I could make this for next to nothing!
I just discovered your site a few days ago and I love it. It is so interesting seeing what the contestants create.
Thank you for joining us, Judy! I hope you voted for your favorite.
Beth
These are all fantastic, so much work, thought & talent from everyone, very hard to choose just one!
A very talented group of women for sure!!!
Love your competitions! All the contestants are so innovative with their refashioning. Makes it hard to pick the top competitor. Have to give my thumbs up to Elizabeth and that smashing blouse and skinny pants this week.
Hi, Judy! This has been so much fun for me, too. It’s been great to get to know each and every competitor and see their creativity blossom!!
Beth
I’m blown away and a little intimidated by these incredible refashions! I just realized, though, that it would only cost a few dollars to try something like that, and I would learn from it even if it was a total fail!
Yep, that’s the beauty of refashioning!!!
Fantastic sewing skills, really tough to choose only one to vote for (did wonder how clever the voting is and whether I could get away with voting three times! but decided to play fair and choose one!!) Vicky
Thanks for voting, Vicky! I wondered the same thing and tried to vote more than once but it wouldn’t even let me. 😉
Ah well, at least I know for certain I can’t cheat!!
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liked each entry, but loved miche’s hand painted ribbon on her dress. showed real ingenuity.
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