Rehashed 80's Red and White Wiggle Dress

I love when I find a dress that resembles the "pin up" girl style. This 80's red wiggle dress is one of those! But oh my, what are those sleeves doing. Big, puffy and scream "Lisa Turtle". Aside from the sleeves though, what a great shape. Slim waist, full "tulip shaped" hips and a nice bright red and white print.

The only major flaw is those sleeves so off they will have to go. The bodice will need some taking in to fit a sleeveless look and hemline just needs to be brought up a slight amount to create a more flattering length. 

CREATIVE JUICES FLOW:

- Machine wash and machine dry. This dress is a nice sturdy washer friendly cotton. Two very minor stains that wouldn't come out on the front, darn! But so minor the dress is 100% wearable as is. 

- Remove sleeves with a seam ripper careful to keep the armhole in tact, finish with a serge seam and a medium straight stitch.

- Take in the bodice about 1" on each side to create a more snug fit for the new sleeveless fit. 

- Take up the hemline about 1". Finish with a blind hemline. 

- Add a white waist belt to create a cinching look and break up the pattern. 

REHASHED & READY!:

POLISHING:

There are so many ways to finish off this darling dress! If you want to keep that pin up feel, match with some red or black peeptoe pumps. Gold strappy sandals would be divine for evening. This would be a perfect dress to match with black patent leather accessories. A sharp cropped black blazer would be stunning for an evening dinner. The possibilites are endless! 

xo, Jen Howy

Visit my etsy shop filled with rehashed vintage fashion and other vintage goodies: http://www.etsy.com/listing/82577044/red-pin-up-wiggle-dress-reconstructed?ref=v1_other_1

Rehashed 70's Horse Print Maxi Dress

What a unique print! I found this dress at an estate sale and immediately fell in love with the horse print and the bronze horse head buttons. The material was super soft and in excellent condition. The color combo went beautifully together as well. It looks to be handmade. This dress came from the same estate sale as the "lobster dress". This lady was surely a seamstress herself.

The final selling point was the POCKETS. Dresses with pockets are too hard to resist. 

The major flaws in this dress were the large floppy sleeves and lack of waist line making it a very frumpy fit. The fabric was so gorgeous though, I had to rescue it! I would just need to get rid of these sleeves. The neckline was already wonderful and flattering. The bodice would need to be slimmed up to create a more snug fit as well.

CREATIVE JUICES FLOW:

- Machine wash and machine dry.

- Cut sleeves off around the seam at the neckline. Finish by stitching down the excess fabric around the seam.

- Take in the bodice through the entire dress to the hemline about 1 1/2" on each side. Serge seam and reinforce with a medium straight stitch to create a slimmer fit. 

- Use waist sash from the matching material to create a curvy cinched waist line. 

REHASHED & READY!:

POLISHING: This dress is great for day to night. It would be perfect for brunch! Match with your favorite brown wedges or sandals if you're more of a flats gal (and tall like myself). This dress would transition to fall beautifully with a brown leather jacket or white knit cardigan sweater. Dress up or down, so versatile!

xo, Jen Howy

Visit my etsy shop filled with rehashed vintage dresses: http://www.etsy.com/listing/82576504/1970s-maxi-dress-cream-with-horse-print

Rehashed Classic White Collared Day Dress

I love a classic, collared, A-line, cotton dress. It always fits and always looks sharp. A white dress like this you can wear year round.

I just adored this dress when I found it, but it had the ugliest buttons I've ever seen in my life. Why on earth would you put such ugly metal buttons on such an adorable soft dress? 

I found these ADORABLE vintage inspired buttons that are pearlized with white and pink roses printed on the face. A simple seam rip to each metal button thread and then some simple hand sewing to apply the new buttons. VOILA!

I added a red belt to polish off the look! Replacing buttons on an old garment is a great way to freshen up an old dress and make it into something new. Craft stores are always having sales on buttons, keep an eye out. This is a very easy way for someone to rehash their own old dress with the most minimal sewing skills. Google it, you can do it!

xo, Jen Howy

Visit my etsy shop filled with rehashed vintage goodies: http://www.etsy.com/listing/81734645/50s-style-white-cotton-collared-day?ref=pr_shop

Rehashed 80's Pastel Tulip Day Dress

I just love this pastel tulip print fabric. So soft and sweet. Looks like a pattern my Grandma Edna would sport! The material was so super soft and stretchy and had a nice thick weight to it. I love a snug fitting bodice and a nice full skirt. Perfect for the curvy gal (like myself).

The sleeves weren't bad, they just weren't overly flattering and made the chest looked too boxy. I decided that this dress would be divine as a tank style. A tank fit would also make better for this very hot Florida summer. The hemline also needed to be brought up just a few inches to create a more flattering fit. 

CREATIVE JUICES FLOW:

- Machine wash and machine dry. 

- Remove the sleeves with a seam ripper. Cut across the ruching to fully remove sleeve. Finish with a serger and a medium straight stitch.

- Shorten hemline about 7" to create a shorter more flattering hemline. Use 1" to fold up and blind hem for a soft, flowy finish. 

REHASHED & READY!:

POLISHING:

Match this day time cutie with your favorite white accessories. A pastel pink or yellow belt would go perfect. This dress is ideal with ballet flats and a straw summer hand bag. 

Visit my etsy shop filled with vintage rehashed dresses and other vintage goodies: http://www.etsy.com/listing/80503788/pastel-floral-pocket-cotton-day-dress

Rehashed 90's Navy Blue Bow Printed Dress

As I am a very girly girl, I cannot resist any pattern that has bows on it. So cute and has a pin up feel. I adored the fabric of this dress. It was in excellent condition as well. Even though this dress is clearly from the 90's, the fabric has a very retro feel.

The only major issue was the fit. The bulky sleeves and shoulder pads didn't suit the shape of the dress. Drop waists are fantastic for full hips, but they need some waist cinching to be flattering. I would need to remove the sleeves on this dress and find a nice waist cinching belt to complete the look and fabulous fit. 

CREATIVE JUICES FLOW:

- Machine wash and hang to dry. Steam out the wrinkles. 

- Remove the shoulder pads with a seam ripper.

- Remove the sleeves carefully with as seam ripper. Serge seam each armhole. Finish with a medium straight stitch.

- Add a red thin waist belt for waist cinching and creating a nice curvy silhouette. 

REHASHED & READY:

POLISHING:

I love matching red accessories with navy blue and white. The patriotic feel never expires as a classic color scheme. For day time, red ballet flats would go divine. For night time, throw on your favorite red pumps. Gold accessories would be ideal for jewelry. Another look for daytime and a more neutral look, switch out the red for a rich brown and match accessories accordingly. 

Xo, Jen Howy

Visit my etsy shop filled with vintage rehashed dresses and other vintage goods: http://www.etsy.com/listing/80504198/bow-print-navy-blue-ruffle-90s-dress