Refashions #1: Vintage-Inspired Girl’s Top from a Ladies’ Summer Dress

I am so excited to show you my first up-cycling project for Lili & Mum’s! This piece is a part of our Spring 2012 Collection.

From this: To this:

Several months ago, my mom brought me a too large gray “vintage floral” summer dress she bought at a thrift shop. The fabric was so pretty that I couldn’t give it away, but had to make something out of it. This past year, I saw a lot of flowing, vintage-inspired clothing for both women and girls. I love the lightweight, airy qualities of this style and knew that this dress would be its perfect complement. Also, I have lately become interested in making children’s clothes, so I decided to make a girl’s top from the dress. It could also be a dress for a toddler.

First, I cut off the bodice above the elastic waistband. I removed the pockets and hemmed the edges to create the arm holes of the top. Next, I measured the neckline, tacked the two ends, and sewed the new shoulders. After hemming the front neckline with the elastic still intact, I cut a three-inch eyelet slit in the back of the neckline. Then, I hemmed the back neckline and eyelet by both machine and by hand. I added a snap to close the eyelet and a pretty pearly button decoration. Lastly, I tied the shoulders with long lace ribbons.

I am very satisfied with the finished piece! It has such a sweet feminine look, but doesn’t look too grown up.

The top measures 22 inches in length and tapers from a 22 1/2 bust width to a 31 inch wide bottom hemline. It has a 14 inch neckline circumference and 5 1/2 inch arm holes. I would estimate it to be a small-medium size.