What Would Anthro Do? The Ugly Floral Dress

I went to an estate sale a few weeks ago and found two dresses for $3 a piece. This was one, and the other will be featured next time. Each was equally hideous, but I saw some potential in them. I patterned my re-vamp of this particular dress loosely on Anthro’s Cockatoo Feather Dress. though I took some liberties with the back.

The inspiration:

The before:

So many types of disgusting: shoulder pads, square neckline, tapered sleeves. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. I started by tearing it apart:

I splayed out and cut the sleeves to make the neck tie:

Then I trimmed the front and back to the height and shape I wanted: straight across in the front, rounded in the back, for the elastic.

Using the pieces from the sleeve, I made a long tube for the tie.

The tube for the drawstring front was about an inch, pinned.

I wanted some billowing, but not too much (the dress was a size 12, about 10 sizes too big!) so I pinned and sewed the excess to make it fit properly around my back.

I pinned a small piece of ribbon to the back, sewed it, and voila!

We won’t be having sun dress weather for another couple of weeks or so in Austin, but I’m excited about my new dress! I think I’ll wear it with boots…

What do you think?

I’m all linked up…

Katie

I’m mucho impressed with your vision and follow through!! It looks GREAT!!!
http://beyourpet.com Brittanie Pendleton

wowww that’s insane how cute you made that dress. you’re really good at altering clothes! it was hideous before… i should give you some ugly old dresses i have and you can make them pretty (vintage stuff)
http://alamain.typepad.com Nadine

This is so adorable! Nice job.
http://condo-blues.blogspot.com Condo Blues

I was drooling over that sundress on the Anthro site yesterday. I thought I could make one in the same style from scratch for a lot less. Instead I’m going to use your idea and makeover a thrifted dress. Thanks for showing me it can be done!
http://lifecraftsandwhatever.blogspot.com/ Jennifer

That’s awesome! And it’s super cute now, I’m jealous!
http://artfullygraced.com jane

Impressive! It doesn’t look like the same dress….and now you are fashionable. Love the belt and boots additions. Tres chic…
http://eyespydiy.blogspot.com/ Katie @ Eye Spy DIY

Wow, that dress looks so much better after! Great job!

Also, I have a great Dove chocolate giveaway going on right now and would love if stopped by and entered: http://eyespydiy.blogspot.com/2011/02/dove-chocolate-discoveries-giveaway.html

~Katie @ Eye Spy DIY
http://BubblyNatureCreations.com Rachel

so pretty!!! Just to think of what it was before… you did an amazing job!
http://wobisobi.blogspot.com/ Anne

Oh My this is Amazing fantastic job!!! IT Looks so good!!
http://www.curiousdaisy.com Daisy

I am amazed! If I only had half of your sewing talent! Super cute. I live just south of you in San Antonio and I am loving the warm days we are having. Bring the heat back I am sooo ready!
http://MyRepurposedLife.blogspot.com gail

I am amazed that you saw the potential in this dress! way to go!
gail
ps featuring this a CCC highlights this week
http://shellsshabbyshack.blogspot.com Michelle

I can’t believe the transformation of this dress! I’m so impressed! It really looks cute with the boots and belt! Nicely done!
http://hellowifeonline.com/happy-friday-34.html Happy Friday 3/4! | Hello Wife

[...] am very excited that my Ugly Floral Dress post is being featured today on My Re-purposed Life’s Catch as Catch Can! Thank you [...]
http://azsbsm.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/fridays-fab-finds-june-17th/ Fridays Fab Finds: June 17th | Small Biz Social Network BlogLetter

[...] To see how she changed this ugly dress into a knock out Summer dress, stop by her blog at http://hellowifeonline.com/what-would-anthro-do-the-ugly-floral-dress.html#ixzz1EubDGwDq [...]