Beachworthy in a Snap

02 Jun Beachworthy in a Snap

Ummmmmm………………I bought this bathing suit coverup for one of my daughters in 2009. After trying it on she quickly dismissed it because she thought it looked like a nightgown. I planned to return it to T. J. Maxx but three years later it was still hanging around.

Did I really think this was cute or was I just trying to get by on the cheap? I tried it on last week.

It looks like a nightgown all right, and I look like I’m about to give birth in it.

I packed it and brought it to the beach….. just in case…….. I never know when I’ll be deserted around here, and this morning it was just me and the lonely lab, Sumter.  I got out the loaner sewing machine, four pins, a ruler and a pair of scissors.

Greetings 🙂

All it took was removing six inches from the length, splitting the front and attaching the discarded length to the back to use as a tie when needed. Since the bottom edge of this fine garment was unfinished, I didn’t worry about finishing the front or the belt, though I did  have to remove the center flower, add an invisible snap, and reposition the flower pedals by hand.

From useless to acceptable in less than an hour.

No couture, but one couture dress is a gracious plenty here on Edisto Island!

goodbyevalentino
goodbyevalentino@gmail.com
31 Comments
  • Cheryl
    Posted at 20:20h, 02 June Reply

    Perfect! Well done, and no more nightgown 🙂 Enjoy the beach! xoxo

  • Doobee
    Posted at 20:37h, 02 June Reply

    Brilliant!!! So, does the daughter want it back now??????

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:31h, 03 June Reply

      Thanks, Doobee! She hasn’t seen it yet, but I might be persuaded to hand it over if she really wants it. 🙂

  • Tia Dia
    Posted at 21:21h, 02 June Reply

    You are so smart! I would never have thought of doing something like that to save a garment from the thrift pile!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:33h, 03 June Reply

      Many thanks! If I was buying clothes this year it would have gone straight to the thrift pile. As the saying goes “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

  • Karen
    Posted at 21:55h, 02 June Reply

    From couture to practical (a la TJ Maxx) in less than a week – I love a versatile woman! Very clever remake!!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:37h, 03 June Reply

      Many thanks, Karen! I’ve been all over the place sewing clothes this year 🙂

  • Sew-4-Fun
    Posted at 22:33h, 02 June Reply

    Very clever!!

  • Calico Stretch
    Posted at 23:06h, 02 June Reply

    Yes that is what I all a successful quick stitch. Hope you brought sunscreen with you!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:38h, 03 June Reply

      Thank you! A cover-up and 70 sunscreen on this trip 🙂

  • sue
    Posted at 23:56h, 02 June Reply

    Very clever make-over!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:39h, 03 June Reply

      Thanks, Sue! I’m still marveling over your gorgeous gown 🙂

  • Cuckoo Chanel
    Posted at 00:21h, 03 June Reply

    Fabulous refashion. Enjoy!!!

  • chicenvelopements
    Posted at 09:17h, 03 June Reply

    Great work bringing a useless garment out of the closet and giving it a new life! Looks so nice on you!
    Beth

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 17:57h, 03 June Reply

      Many thanks, Beth! You are the one who knows how to refashion, but a snip here and there can make a huge difference ! 🙂

  • Coco
    Posted at 15:24h, 03 June Reply

    You are so cute…:-) Coco

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 17:58h, 03 June Reply

      Ahhh, that’s so sweet! Thank you for the nice comment 🙂

  • Myra
    Posted at 16:37h, 03 June Reply

    Wow this is a great transformation!!! Beautiful job, I love making use out of things you may otherwise get rid of!!!

  • Martha
    Posted at 16:44h, 03 June Reply

    Love to see a good sewing evolution. Good one!

  • Cissie Wellons
    Posted at 21:57h, 03 June Reply

    What don’t you look fabulous in???? Very creative of you — and so cute!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:24h, 04 June Reply

      Thank you, Cissie! I’m not sure about fabulous – more like acceptable……. Now that’s not accepting a compliment graciously, is it? 🙂

  • Cissie Wellons
    Posted at 13:15h, 04 June Reply

    Absolutely not! You’re worse than I am. “Acceptable” is not quite enough. Sort of like saying that Princess Catherine looks nice!

  • NinaLBoston
    Posted at 17:05h, 05 June Reply

    Aren’t you the clever one? An amazing save!
    You are living my dream with your couture dress and all those wonderful tops. You absolutely MUST learn to enjoy compliments — I see many more coming your way!

  • goodbyevalentino
    Posted at 08:51h, 06 June Reply

    Thank you so much, Nina! Oh, I do enjoy compliments. Though the bathing suit cover-up was a great save, I don’t consider it to be a fabulous garment, and I certainly don’t consider myself to look fabulous in it – acceptable 🙂

  • mary
    Posted at 07:19h, 08 June Reply

    I learned of your blog yesterday. I work in a fantastic fabric strore (rarity these days) and was speaking to a customer about the couture Susan Kaji class. I am so happy to find this but just delighted that you have a lab named Sumter. I had the best dog ever in my twenties and thirties that was a big ole lab namped Sumter. I changed the speling as everyone said Sumpter anyway. It made my day! Now back to sewing.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 13:05h, 09 June Reply

      Hi Mary,
      Thank you so much for writing!I’d love to know more about the fantastic fabric store where you work… The dog belongs to my daughter’s boyfriend and it loves to come to the beach. Unfortunately, my dog, a Cairn Terrier hates the beach. 🙂

Post A Reply to Sew-4-Fun Cancel Reply