07 Jul One $ Wonder(ful)
My mother gave me this dress some time ago. She bought it for $1.00 at a thrift store and thought the dress might look cute if I hemmed it. 
O k a y y y y y …
I thought it had potential, but a little hem seemed like just the beginning, or perhaps the grand finale. 
The fit was acceptable in bust but was too big elsewhere.
After releasing a few stitches of the bust lining, I was able to adjust the bodice.
Following the stitching lines I removed two inches from the upper bodice through the hips. I then tapered the lower portion removing nearly 8 inches from the skirt sweep which changed the A-line into a straight skirt. Luckily this alteration took up the slack in the back, and all I had left to do was to hem the dress. Mother wasn’t too far off track.
It’s all in the fit, isn’t it?
A cute dress can look ho-hum when it doesn’t fit, and a ho-hum dress can look cute when it does fit. 
T H A N K S , M O M ! !
LaKaribane
Posted at 14:55h, 07 JulyThat looks remarkably like the now infamous dress Michelle Obama wore on tv for a talk show, that sold out within days and that Simplicity provided a knock-off for (sorry, forgot the exact number but it might be a wardrober.)
Migth be the best dress $1 could buy, LOL! Looks great on you, very flattering.
LaKaribane
Posted at 15:00h, 07 Julyok, found the post:
http://mrs-o.com/newdata/2009/1/25/mrso-inspired-style-discovery.html
katy
Posted at 18:27h, 07 JulyLaKaribane, you’re right. The two dresses do look very similar.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:57h, 08 JulyYes it does look much like that dress! Thanks so much for the link – I may try to find the Simplicity pattern. Thanks for writing!
Pauline Droy
Posted at 15:04h, 07 Julywonderful transformation
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:59h, 08 JulyMany thanks Pauline! BTW – I voted for you in the PR contest. 🙂
reecie
Posted at 15:07h, 07 JulyYou are too smart.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:59h, 08 Julyand you are too nice!!
Lisa P
Posted at 15:29h, 07 JulyFantastic I love these refashions people seem to perfect with no problem at all. Your Mom obviously has a good eye !
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:05h, 08 JulyThank you, Lisa. This one was easy but I have I a huge stack of clothes that I just don’t know what to do with…… 🙂
Myra
Posted at 15:43h, 07 JulyI agree with Lisa, your Mom does have a great eye and you have a great talent!! Good job!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:06h, 08 JulyYou and Lisa are correct about my mother – she has an excellent eye for clothing 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:07h, 08 July…and thank you so much for your nice comment!!
Heather
Posted at 15:48h, 07 JulyAnd I agree with both Lisa and Myra… Your alterations have made the dress a winner, and I love this shade of green on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:08h, 08 JulyThank you, Heather! I would have never selected this dress, but sometimes Mother knows best 🙂
Becky
Posted at 15:53h, 07 JulyEven when you have money to spend, It feels great to find a bargain that is of good quality and that you will actually wear. This is too cute, and you look lovely in it. You are right, it is all in the fit. Hopefully someday I will be able to make garments fit as well as you do. Good job!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:11h, 08 JulyMany thanks for your nice comment, Becky! You’re right – there’s nothing better than a good AND useful bargain. I’m convinced the secret to fitting is to measure, baste and take your time !
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 16:04h, 07 JulyHow fabulous! Your mother must have access to a better thrift store than I do. Your changes make all the difference — and now you have yet another great summer dress! And for $1 no less.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:13h, 08 JulyThank you, Cissie! Mother volunteers at a thrift store in the Pinehurst area that receives many high end donations – especially in men’s golf clothes 🙂 🙂
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 09:18h, 08 JulyI don’t live far from Pinehurst. Maybe I can get down there and beat your mother to the real treasures!!
SA Curve Ruler
Posted at 16:12h, 07 JulyThat was a very dramatic improvement!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:14h, 08 JulyMany thanks! I was shocked at the transformation myself 🙂
gingermakes
Posted at 16:21h, 07 JulyReally cute! Good eye, mom! This cut is adorable on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:15h, 08 JulyThank you so much, Ginger! I once read a slightly raised waistline is very flattering on nearly all body types 🙂
Irene
Posted at 16:30h, 07 JulyIt very definitely is all in the fit. Great save!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:16h, 08 JulyYes it is in the fit …… and that is what I primarily intend to focus on! Many thanks for writing, Irene 🙂
Art Attack
Posted at 17:14h, 07 JulyAdorable! Think what you can do with the other $199 semolians!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:17h, 08 JulyThank you! Unfortunately the other $199 is already spent 🙂
katy
Posted at 17:55h, 07 JulyYour mother has a good eye and you did a fabulous job turning it into something that looks great on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:18h, 08 JulyThank you, Katy! Mother does seem to know what styles suit me and others 🙂
CherryPix
Posted at 19:02h, 07 JulyOne-dollar-wonderful!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:20h, 08 JulyAnother great line……. I’m going to start consulting with you before publishing my post. As a matter of fact, I’m changing the title of my post NOW!!
CherryPix
Posted at 07:36h, 08 JulyLOL…happy to consult …in exchange for tips on how you choose fabric …. !
Lori
Posted at 21:28h, 07 JulyFabulous transformation, your mom did a great job with the purchase.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:22h, 08 JulyThank you, Lori! Mother loves finding bargains and is hopefully proud of this one 🙂
jlundy6116
Posted at 21:34h, 07 JulyOh wow! Just wonderful! That looks so great now.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:23h, 08 JulyThank you so much!
Gail
Posted at 22:05h, 07 JulyGood save. It looks fantastic
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:23h, 08 JulyThank you so much, Gail 🙂
Velosewer
Posted at 22:38h, 07 JulyIt really is all about the fit. Your Mum has a good eye for your style.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:24h, 08 JulyMany thanks! You seem to be doing an excellent job of fitting patterns for your petite frame. What’s your secret?
Carolyn
Posted at 22:48h, 07 JulyYou did a fabulous job on making this dress fit you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:24h, 08 JulyThank you, Carolyn! Fortunately there wasn’t too much to do 🙂
Jan
Posted at 23:56h, 07 JulyI love what you did with the dress! I’ll bet your Mom is proud!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:25h, 08 JulyMany thanks, Jan! Mother hasn’t seen it yet but I’m sure she’ll be pleased 🙂
Coco
Posted at 00:12h, 08 JulyReally cute dress. This sheath style really suits you…
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:27h, 08 JulyThank you, Coco! This style does work well for me – how I wish I could wear the long flowing garments you make – another 6 inches might help 🙂
Kerri
Posted at 11:14h, 08 JulyQuite a transformation… well worth the effort!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:12h, 08 JulyThank you so much, Kerri! I have a feeling I’ll wear this one all summer 🙂
Kathie Bennett
Posted at 15:10h, 08 JulyLooks like $300…sign me up today!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:13h, 08 July🙂 🙂 All it takes is a trip to a good thrift store and a sewing machine !!
Karen
Posted at 17:58h, 08 JulyYou are a whiz at making over kind of dowdy dresses into very stylish ones! This one turned out so well!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:14h, 08 JulyMany thanks, Karen! This one was an easy transformation 🙂
Carolyn
Posted at 09:45h, 09 JulyNice save! You did a terrific job fixing up this dress; it looks super cute 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:48h, 10 JulyThank you, Carolyn. It was definitely a gratifying experience!
Rosie
Posted at 14:33h, 10 JulyYour Mom has very nice taste! You did a fantastic job on altering / fitting the dress.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:49h, 10 JulyMany thanks, Rosie. Mother has always been gifted in this area 🙂
dara
Posted at 08:46h, 22 JuneI always enjoy reading your blog. Your sewing is as beautiful as you are!