Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Redress the Problem

About this time every year, I fold up all my sweaters and coats and store them under the bed, and I pull out all my cute summer dresses. Before I hang them in the closet I do a little fashion show in front of the full-length mirror (I usually leave out the model walk, unless JM is home), and make sure that I still like them and think I'll wear them again. Most of them stand up to the challenge, but some just... don't. In some cases, it's hard to believe that my sense of fashion has changed so much in the eight months since I put the dress away- I think, "Did September Me really think this was a good look?"

Take, for example, this flouncy aqua dress I bought a couple years ago. I really thought it was cute back then, but in the fresh light of 2010, it looked more "Little House on the Prairie" than "Sex and the City". It wasn't all bad- I still liked the color, the shape of the strapless top, and the high waistline - but the voluminous tiered skirt that ended mid-calf and was more fatering than flattering. Not good.

Could this dress be saved?  I figured it was worth a shot. Using a seam ripper, I removed the bottom tier of the dress, and then stitched the seam into a hem using a sewing machine. Easy! And you can do it with any dress (or even shorts) that fall at unflattering lengths. If your dress doesn't have tiers, you can measure an even hem by using a measuring tape, marking the dress with pencil at even intervals, and then cutting between the marks. Depending on the fabric and how often you intend to wear it, you may not even have to hem it- although, iron-on seam binding works miracles if you aren't inclined to sew.

You know what they say: Dressperate times...

4 comments:

Her Posh Palate... said...

I love it! That color looks great on you!

Anonymous said...

What a pretty post! And a clever girl!

Lily said...

@Jessica- thanks! I probably would have just given up on the dress if I hadn't liked the fabric so much!
@Anonymous- oh, you flatter me. Don't stop!

Sharon said...

Love it..looks way cuter shorter. Great job!