vintage renewed
1980s Makeover by calli green model veronica patton
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Tip: Because I have used the technique many times, I felt comfortable with cutting a straight line across the top of the straight pins. If I would not have felt as comfortable, I would’ve used a newspaper as a pattern and measured a six inch piece to place and pin onto the dress to shorten the dress, so I knew for sure that it would be a straight “pattern like” cut. Last, again, I measured an 1 / 8 in. fold around the bottom of the dress, used my straight pins to secure it, used my iron to press and used my sewing machine to sew straight down that fold for a small hem at the bottom of the dress. Other than the tiny stitches and double shoulder pads, it was a pretty straightforward makeover that turned an otherwise throw-away relic into a $2 piece you could rock for years.
hen we found the dress inset on the left at an estate sale one day, Erin looked at me like I was crazy.
secured it with straight pins, pressed it with my iron and used my machine and matching thread to sew right down the middle of the shoulder hem fold. The dress was then sleeve- less and already looking a little more up to date. I chose to keep the collar and beading at the top as it was. The dress has interesting bead work that would leave the vintage touch in the revamped 1980s dress. Next, because the dress was so long, it seemed to hit at an odd length and made the dress almost matronly. (I know, how could a shiny, beaded Eighties dress look matronly — but it kind of did.) I wanted to make it young and full of life again. I measured 6 in. from the original bottom seam and used straight pins to mark the line to cut.
It had huge shoulder pads, a draped sash (com- plete with beaded tassles) with a dropped waist and the length hit below the knees. But I knew I could turn it into something wearable for today. First, I removed the sash, connected by thread loops on the side seam of the dress, with my snippers (smaller scissors). That thing had seen more fashionable days. Second, I used the seam ripper to take off the sleeves and double — yes double — shoul- der pads. Because the stitch length was so small, I did use the snippers to remove some of the fabric that was a little tougher to remove. I then measured a 1 / 8 in. fold around the sleeves,
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VintageKC >> Fashion 2014 9
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