Sorry there's no "before" picture, but imagine a sad, boring blue cotton shirtdress.Our suggestions: We chose to change the plain shell buttons to red vintage buttons, to scallop
the hem and trim it with red piping, and to sew on some pickstitching with red yarn along the sleeve hem and in a bird silhouette on the chest. These are just a few ideas you can choose from.
Inspiration: The 1940s...and actual cupcakes. Ps. After I made this dress, there were a lot of scalloped edges on the Spring 2009 runways (Christopher Kane and Chloe especially).
Tools: Plain shirtdress, interesting buttons, piping, thick thread or super-skinny yarn, a needle with a big enough "eye" to thread the yarn through, scissors, measuring tape, cardstock paper, pins, pen/marker.
Difficulty Level: 5 (Advanced)
Wear with...Red patent heels and a cute vintage hat
1. To create the scalloped hem...measure out according to the hem of the dress how many scallops you can fit and how big you want them. I would go for bigger scallops because it's easier - probably 12-18 total (6-8 in front and 6-8 in back) and probably about 2 1/2" deep and 5 1/2" wide at the top. Create a scallop "template" out of cardstock (it will look like a half-circle), pin along hem and mark or trace along the hem. Finally, you can cut! (For a quick & dirty version, just skip the above steps and eyeball it. Just simply cut!)
2. Clean finish (meaning turn under the raw edge and sew) the scalloped hem with red piping (or whatever color is appropriate). A pickstitch along the edge is optional.
3. Remove the sad original buttons and add fun red buttons (or whatever color/style is eye-catching).
4. Pickstitch along the cuff, neck, waistline, button placket, etc. in a contrast color (I chose red of course). Just go nuts.
5. Create a stencil out of cardstock for your pickstitch embroidery. I chose a bird, but the options are limitless...hearts, flowers, umbrellas, skeleton keys, balloons, etc. Pin the stencil to the garment in the chosen location (chest, hem, etc.), and pickstitch using thick thread (the kind used for cross stitching) or super-thin yarn.
And there you have it! Quite a big of work, but well worth it.
the hem and trim it with red piping, and to sew on some pickstitching with red yarn along the sleeve hem and in a bird silhouette on the chest. These are just a few ideas you can choose from.
Inspiration: The 1940s...and actual cupcakes. Ps. After I made this dress, there were a lot of scalloped edges on the Spring 2009 runways (Christopher Kane and Chloe especially).
Tools: Plain shirtdress, interesting buttons, piping, thick thread or super-skinny yarn, a needle with a big enough "eye" to thread the yarn through, scissors, measuring tape, cardstock paper, pins, pen/marker.
Difficulty Level: 5 (Advanced)
Wear with...Red patent heels and a cute vintage hat
1. To create the scalloped hem...measure out according to the hem of the dress how many scallops you can fit and how big you want them. I would go for bigger scallops because it's easier - probably 12-18 total (6-8 in front and 6-8 in back) and probably about 2 1/2" deep and 5 1/2" wide at the top. Create a scallop "template" out of cardstock (it will look like a half-circle), pin along hem and mark or trace along the hem. Finally, you can cut! (For a quick & dirty version, just skip the above steps and eyeball it. Just simply cut!)
2. Clean finish (meaning turn under the raw edge and sew) the scalloped hem with red piping (or whatever color is appropriate). A pickstitch along the edge is optional.
3. Remove the sad original buttons and add fun red buttons (or whatever color/style is eye-catching).
4. Pickstitch along the cuff, neck, waistline, button placket, etc. in a contrast color (I chose red of course). Just go nuts.
5. Create a stencil out of cardstock for your pickstitch embroidery. I chose a bird, but the options are limitless...hearts, flowers, umbrellas, skeleton keys, balloons, etc. Pin the stencil to the garment in the chosen location (chest, hem, etc.), and pickstitch using thick thread (the kind used for cross stitching) or super-thin yarn.
And there you have it! Quite a big of work, but well worth it.
