Making a grown-up dress

Remember this dress?

I bragged about buying it at a thrift store a couple of weeks ago.  I believe it was $3.00.  When I saw it, I knew I had to have it.  For some reason, when I bought it I assumed it would fit perfectly and I wouldn't have to make any adjustments.  I brought it home and tried it on and found out I was absolutely wrong.

Not that the fit was horrible, but I looked a bit too much like a 10-year-old girl.  The length was also a problem.  I learned a couple of years ago that anything below the knee just exacerbates my vertical challenge.  That is to say, it makes me look shorter.

I started the recreation by taking the little green bow off the front.  That moved the age of the dress wearer to at least 12.  Still I had a few more years to add before I'd be comfortable wearing this dress.  Next I took up the length.  The lace around the bottom was actually at the perfect length so I just pinned up the fabric and sewed along the yellow ribbon.

I also had to take in the sides of the bodice a bit.

I decided to take in the skirt around the waist area as well to give it a more feminine shape. When I was finished I tried the dress on with some heels and viola!  I can't say I look my age, but I'm told I never do. So let's just say I upgraded the dress enough that a woman in her 20s can wear the dress with confidence.

Hooray for unique thrift store finds!