DIY: Patterned Maxi Dress Into Cocktail Dress

I really lucked out when I found this dress for $0.25:

Even tying it up in the back wouldn't make me look good in it!

Granted, it's not a perfect fit or a perfect length, but it has loads of potential. I loved the black/red combo. I loved that it could be a dress that would work all year long. I couldn't wait to do some hacking!

First off: Those tie thingies!

Since I was taking the dress in, I knew I wouldn't need those tie thingies so off they went!

Then I got to pinning!

I turned the dress inside out and tried it on again. This dress didn't come with any buttons or zipper, so it would have to be lose enough to fit over my head. I figured I could take it in about 3 or so inches on each side and still be able to wear it.

Let's hope I didn't take it in too much!

I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the dress on to find out it was the perfect fit. Woo hoo!!

When I first purchased this dress, I thought I might like to keep the dress long, but now that it was more fitted, I didn't think it looked that good long. I'd shorten it, but not too much as I planned to wear it belted and didn't want it to end up too short!

I cut off about 6-7 inches. I didn't measure.

I used up another 2-3 inches making a new hem.

Then I sewed it up!

Whew! That was a lot of sewing and measuring! Good thing for me that the kiddos were having a little pretend tea party, so I had the TV blasting some much needed '80's music.

I went into my closet to grab some accessories and throw on a little makeup so I don't look like a zombie in my "after" photos. This is what I ended up with:

It was too sunny in my usual spot.

I'm loving refashioning these big, huge dresses lately. The reason: the ever flattering elbow length sleeve that I end up with! It seems like "short sleeves" means that the sleeve hangs off your shoulder an inch and a half. Where did the rest of the sleeve go? That's like the least flattering sleeve length for people like me that don't work out!

I love the brown boots with this because they don't overpower the dress.

Overall, I ended up with a dress that was just what I had in mind! Well, what I had in mind once I started working on it. I wish I had the ability to see a dress and know exactly what to do with it. Someday, I will, I think. I just have to keep on truckin'!