This may be one of the most favorite things I've sewn for myself and it all came about by accidental thriftiness. (Click on the link above left to visit some other great thrifty projects!) I have a habit of buying just a bit of fabric I think is wonderful. It's sort of like having just a "bite of chocolate". It's supposed to leave me satsisfied, but often it leaves me frustrated because it isn't always enough fabric to do what I envision...like make a curtain, a bedspread, or a dress. Such was the case with this great Michael Miller fabric. Isn't it cute?
I just loved its cheerful print and the retro 50's mix of red, yellow, and green. This fabric been sitting in my stash for some time and it screamed it needed to be a dress. Sigh. Not enough of it. But...tra, la, la... hiding in my stash was this Goodwill skirt, which I took apart. I'm a sucker for gingham and consider it a neutral. (Second Time Around is a neat blog who showcases other bloggers who enjoy repurposing used items.)
I took off the skirt's original buttons and added some vintage ones that reminded me of old jadeite dishes and coordinated with my little bit of fun fabric. I also had to save some of the skirt's fabric to add to the sleeves of the top of the dress to squeeze out enough to make the whole thing work. Quite the frugal project, so I'm going to participate in Frugal Friday over at The Shabby Nest.
...and it all worked out to be this this little number!
My eleven year old curled her nose up at the whole creation and wondered what the "crooked stuff" at the bottom of the dress was, and noted she would have never added THAT! Oh, well...it is actually just quirky enough for me that my enthusiasm shall not be dimmed by the modern tastes of my perfectly normal daughter. Oh, and since the dress was cheap to make, I spent $11.99 at Compass for the matching necklace and earrings and I am one happy retro girl!
Happy REDnesday to you, and please go visit Sue at It's A Very Cherry World to enjoy some other blogs with a touch of red. It's a fun color! If you are needing some creative inspiration in your life, I can always find some on over at the aptly named awesome blog The Girl Creative!
That is adorable, creative, clever and just too much for words! I love it!
Posted by: Lisa Thoms | June 08, 2010 at 06:43 PM
Oh!! I love that fabric. I have loved it since I first saw it. I would have never thought to make a dress of it. I'll bet you look cute in that dress too! Great job Melony!!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | June 05, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Melony..what a talented person you are!! I too am always finding clothing at Goodwill to re-make into something. I just need to get the courage and dig in and do it!!Thanks for visitng me today. I am going to become one of your "friends". stop over and chat with me again..Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham
Posted by: Cindy | June 04, 2010 at 06:23 PM
now that is what I call thrifty and totally cute..I love the fabric... My daughter and I have matching aprons made with that fabric...So kitschy!!! Mica/The Child's Paper
Posted by: Mica | June 03, 2010 at 08:39 PM
All I can saw is WOW! You are one talented seamstress! I gave up sewing clothes LONG ago! Too much frustration fitting myself! SO, you going to wear it, or sell it?
Posted by: Shelley Germann | June 03, 2010 at 12:04 PM
that is the cutest dress! I. Love. It!
Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel
Posted by: ann | June 03, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Melony,
That is one heck of a fantastic dress!!
I LOVE, LOVE<,LOVE it!!!
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | June 03, 2010 at 07:19 AM
That dress turned out purrfect!
Posted by: Anne aka La Vie en Rose | June 03, 2010 at 06:15 AM
How fabulous is that! She looks so cute in the kitchen and I bet she looks even cuter when you take her out on the town. Sweet!
Posted by: Janelle | June 03, 2010 at 12:45 AM
Oohhhh so cute!!!! you are very talented... ;-)
Posted by: cotty | June 02, 2010 at 09:38 PM
Serendipity at it's best! xo, suzy
Posted by: georgiapeachez | June 02, 2010 at 09:27 PM
WoW, and WoW again! I absolutely love it! You must be so proud of yourself for thinking up this great creation!
Posted by: SueLovesCherries | June 02, 2010 at 09:20 PM
OMG! I love, love, love it! Vintage black pattenleather pumps and purse would just complete it!
Posted by: Melody | June 02, 2010 at 05:38 PM
That is so cute and creative. I wish I could put together stuff like that. Great job!
Posted by: Leslie | June 02, 2010 at 04:09 PM
That really came out cute. Love the rickrack!
heather
Posted by: our life in a click | June 02, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Wow! That is adorable beyond words!!! It's a work of time-capsule art, really! Ya done good. Happy REDnesday~
Posted by: Mary | June 02, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Dont you just love Kid's comments? I love the dress - she will in a few years.
Posted by: Al | June 02, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Okay I am a size 8, will it fit me. I just love it. I would so wear it. You did a great job.
Posted by: Sherrie | June 02, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Welcome to NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAYS! That outfit is soooo CUTE...the retro fabric is very "COOL"!
Blessings,
Linda
Posted by: Linda@Coastal Charm | June 02, 2010 at 12:12 PM
That is so wonderfully cut!! I love it! What a great idea!
Posted by: nannykim/spindlecottage | June 02, 2010 at 11:20 AM
that is so cute. I love it!
Posted by: mishelle | June 02, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Very cute! I love that Michael Miller fabric...great combination.
Posted by: Black Eyed Susans Kitchen | June 02, 2010 at 11:03 AM
Wow! That is darling. You are right not to let an 11 year old dim your enthusiasm....the rick rack is perfect! She'll appreciate it someday. :) We need to see a picture of you in the dress. Lisa~
Posted by: Lisa~ | June 02, 2010 at 09:25 AM
DEAR MELONY,
I DROPPED BY TO VISIT YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR PINK SATURDAYS 2ND BIRTHDAY AND I READ YOUR POST ABOUT JUNE AND HER DAUGHTERS AND THEN I SAW THIS DRESS. I LOVE...LOVE IT. IT IS GORGEOUS AND I LOVE THE NECKLACE YOU PICKED OUT TO GO WITH IT.
YOU HAVE AN EYE FOR COLOR BUT YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG WITH RED OR GINGHAM UNLESS IT IS POLK-A-DOTS.
I LOOKED FOR A PLACE TO JOIN YOUR BLOG BUT I DID NOT SEE ONE.
I LOVE YOUR BLOG.
HUGS AND BLESSINGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE
Posted by: debbie | June 02, 2010 at 06:55 AM
I just love it. Its so cute.
And Im still jealous about these cute cherrys you have in ur kitchen. I want them too :D
Hugs, Svenja
Posted by: svenja | June 02, 2010 at 05:24 AM