Ugly shift dress upcycle

[datcat23]

I picked up one of these sleeveless shift dress, from the local charity store.  Its a very heavy woven fabric, sort of like a heavy linen, with some pretty embroidery on the bottom third.  Aside from the fact that it has zero shape to it at all, also as a result of me being so short, the dress reaches the floor when I put it on.  It only just fits around my belly, but was quite baggy around the bust, and certainly too big across the upper back.  I think a potato sack with a belt, would look more stylish.

Shift dress upcycle by Dani, on Flickr

The first thing I do is cut off across just under the bust.  Then from the top of what is now a skirt, cut off about 20cm. 

Shift dress upcycle by Dani, on Flickr

To add some shaping to the bodice, I put some little box pleats at the front, and some darts in the back. 

Shift dress upcycle by Dani, on Flickr    Shift dress upcycle by Dani, on Flickr

..... more to follow. 

[datcat23]

After trimming off the middle, I take up the extra width before attaching to the bodice. 

For the front, I put in two box pleats, located to line up with the bodice pleats.

Shift dress upcycle by Dani, on Flickr

On the back, I ran a simple gathering stitch, gathering only the section that would fall between the two darts.

Shift dress upcycle by Dani, on Flickr

Yes you can see the split, and yes it will be quite high.  But, since I am planning to only wear this tunic over pants, its not a bother.

[datcat23]

And the finished item ..... it still suffers a bit from sackish-ness .... but not so bad.

Shift dress upcycle by Dani, on Flickr

Back

Shift dress upcycle by Dani, on Flickr

I could probably have done with a little shorter for the bodice, but still, it will still be comfortable. 

[toileandtrouble]

I have a long silk dress that I am aiming to alter.  it will need an FBA as well as shortening.  I have planned out how to do it, but I am scared to cut into it.  Crazy, since I would be quite confident if I was doing this for someone else. Maybe this is the year I will do it?  Toile of the top  might give me the confidence to start.

[Ellabella]

I love it how some people can look at something and see how to alter it .

My only thought would be to separate the pieces and see what I could cut from the fabric.

[jen]

A super save. It’s a lovely colour too.

[Lemon Syllabub]

My only thought would be to separate the pieces and see what I could cut from the fabric.

@Ellabella I think I'm the same. 

@datcat23 I clearly lack your vision! Your tunic looks great. 

[Catllar]

Great save Datcat.

[Acorn]

Very nice.  That is just the sort of dress I would rescue from a charity shop, knowing that it wasn't going to suit me!