Making Stuff: Ombre Girl’s dress {thrifted dress refashion}

by This is Carrie on February 15, 2012

Do you remember wearing Amy Byer? I sure do. Back in the late 80’s, early 90’s I loved those dresses. I found this white Amy Byer dress at the thrift store for a whopping $1.50 and I knew it had potential. But not as an 80’s fad, but as a sweet “grandma’s sewing nook” inspired dress. What I did not expect was how much the jacquard pattern popped once it was dyed. Fun surprise!

Basic Steps:

-Unpick crazy ruffle sleeves and finish armholes with a “bias tape facing” made from extra fabric.

-Dye dress yellow

-Dip dye dress (top down) into brown dye.

-Cut and attach collar made from thrifted, crocheted doily (the oval shape worked great).

-Hand sew vintange covered buttons.

{ 17 comments }

kage February 15, 2012 at 7:28 am: I put this in the highest of highs, PRETTY FANTASTIC Carrie Refashioning category.
KP February 15, 2012 at 8:17 am: I completely agree!
adrienne Twitter: babytoolkit February 15, 2012 at 9:18 am: I LOVE how the white on white print transformed with the dyes.

You can bet I’ll be looking for these on future thrift store adventures.
Debbie Tesla February 15, 2012 at 9:29 am: We are soul sisters when it comes to upcycling great finds! Great job!
Shari February 15, 2012 at 10:47 am: You rock Carrie. Your kids get the greatest things plus a gift from you that it’s good to repurpose and renew. Will you be my mommy? What’s one more?
Teresa February 15, 2012 at 11:31 am: What a wonderful transformation! Thanks for sharing!
Lynn Hey February 15, 2012 at 4:01 pm: Wonderful refashion! The dye job really took it to another level of creative genius. LOVE IT!
jonita mortensen February 15, 2012 at 5:56 pm: One of your best! Love how the dye job really made this dress.
sara February 15, 2012 at 9:47 pm: Incredible dye job. And she looks so pretty in these pictures 🙂 Also, love her shoes!
Susan C February 16, 2012 at 6:35 am: Wow — I would never have guessed there was a pretty pattern on the fabric before you dyed it.
Heidi February 16, 2012 at 7:36 am: That is adorable!
ira lee henson February 16, 2012 at 9:15 am: i love this!!!!!
Jennifer Brasher February 19, 2012 at 4:24 pm: LOVE it – makes me wish my daughter was a dress girl.
Mary Clare February 19, 2012 at 6:58 pm: This dress is absolutely adorable. I want to try this for myself! Great inspiration to create something of my own. Thanks for sharing

Thursdays
Pam February 20, 2012 at 12:50 am: I love what you’ve done to this dress!!! Great upcycle!!!
Michelle Alley February 21, 2012 at 3:56 pm: Yes, I wouldn’t have thought the pattern would have popped out as much either – I am very surprised at the difference. The outfit if just beautiful! Great job 🙂
Amanda Havens September 21, 2012 at 12:08 am: I would NEVER have picked this off the rack. IMO, the ‘before’ picture looks hideous on the form and I don’t totally love the after when it’s just hanging up. But, oh man is it cute when it’s actually on the girl! It sometimes surprises me how much of a difference in appearance it can make to put a clothing item on a real person.