Repurposing Fashion Clothing: Upcycling an Empire Waist Top from a Dress

One of the first things I uncovered from my mother’s wardrobe was this dress.  The concept of this dress is great except that it was for an old person.  Sorry, Mom!  However, this looks like it would make a great addition to a summertime swimming attire, so even though we are in the midst of winter spring, I decided to remake it for my daughter Liz.  Fortunately, stripes are totally in this spring, so this would be the perfect upcycle.

First step, cut it up.  I measured where the bust line would be by putting one of her tops on top of it and marking where it would go.  Notice that I cut a a strip out.  This is going to be the empire waist line.

But this ugly pocket HAS to go.  Buh-bye.

I attached the waist first.  I accidentally put it on backwards.  Since it folds down, it has to go on the outside of the dress, not the inside like one would normally make it.  Next up is the ruffle part.  Using pins, I stitched it into place with my machine.

Voila!

With love,


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Let me know what you think in the comments.


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5 responses to “Repurposing Fashion Clothing: Upcycling an Empire Waist Top from a Dress”

  1. Angel's Homestead Avatar

    This turned out really cute! I love re-purposing things. Thank you so much for sharing with Saturday Spotlight last week. I hope you come by today to share more of your awesome creations! Happy Easter 🙂

    http://angelshomestead.com/

    April

    1. Maureen R. Avatar

      Thank you so much for your kind words and thanks for your linky! For all my readers, Angel’s Homestead (http://angelshomestead.com/) offers a weekly linky for your creations. Please stop by and have a look around her web site, too. 🙂

  2. Angel's Homestead Avatar

    This turned out really cute! I love re-purposing things. Thank you so much for sharing with Saturday Spotlight last week. I hope you come by today to share more of your awesome creations! Happy Easter 🙂

    http://angelshomestead.com/

    April

    1. Maureen R. Avatar

      Thank you so much for your kind words and thanks for your linky! For all my readers, Angel’s Homestead (http://angelshomestead.com/) offers a weekly linky for your creations. Please stop by and have a look around her web site, too. 🙂

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  4. […] Upcycling an Empire Waist Dress Repurposing a Skirt from a Shirt Remaking an Ill-Fitted Dress into Something Sexy Refashion a Faded T-Shirt Into a Heart Cut-Out for Valentine’s Day Refashioning a Cute Striped Shirt by Adding Lace & Making It Longer Refashion a Vest Into a Feminine Ruffle Shirt Refashion Plain T-Shirts into a Tie-Dye 4th of July Dress […]

  5. hmromoser Avatar

    That looks great! I love this upcycling thing, its so resourceful.

  6. hmromoser Avatar

    That looks great! I love this upcycling thing, its so resourceful.

  7. Carissa Joslyn Avatar
    Carissa Joslyn

    I love it after! Before it was too..blah!
    Although I’m not much for dresses, mostly because I am uncomfortable with my after children body & really need too lose some weight. But I’d probably wear the after dress!

  8. Carissa Joslyn Avatar
    Carissa Joslyn

    I love it after! Before it was too..blah!
    Although I’m not much for dresses, mostly because I am uncomfortable with my after children body & really need too lose some weight. But I’d probably wear the after dress!

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