Make a $5 Clearance Dress work for you!

Hellllooooo everyone. Thank goodness it's Friday. And for Americans, Thanksgiving is next week. So make things out of stretch knit for the holiday, and forget the wovens.  Just saying. :)

Speaking of stretch knit.....my sister had the nerve to ask me to go shopping with her at Kohl's on her birthday a month ago.  Kohl's is like Target, but instead of fun decor and food, I bring home clothes I don't need.  Thankfully, this was in October, not No Spend November. Whew!

When No Spend November hit, and I was cleaning out all  the closets, I realized just how many "projects" I had waiting. Things to alter, things to cut up and use for kid clothes, blankets to finish, and so on.  And in that collection, I found a dress that I had picked up last month with the intention of sizing it down.

Here's the original price tag.

Wow, right?

Problem? It's an XL - in a stretchy dress, I'd usually wear a size small or medium.

Here it is, inside out (sorry, forget to take a right side out picture) before I pinned it.  It's on my dress form, which I have set to my measurements. Potato sack, isn't it? (sorry for all the kid mess back there. I don't even know)

So I pinned the sides in (probably about 3 inches on each side!) and continued on to the sleeves. I took in about the same width down the sleeve. I have skinny arms, and I wanted a better fit instead of floppy sleeves.

I serged the seams and cut the excess off. Rather, I serged my seams until I got to the elastic and tie waist, wherein I broke a serger needle, then went to my thrifted Elna sewing machine to finish the job. Which also freaked out (bobbin case issue, still troubleshooting it). So I finished it up on my new-to-me Kenmore. Sheesh.  I guess the oldest machine wins. Something to be said for having spares.

Here's the dress post-surgery:

Front

Back

 I kept the length in the bodice, which was probably considered too long by most, but I wanted the drapey Grecian feel to it.

I paired it with a stretchy belt for most of the day, but I like it with just the ties too.  This is Trigger, my 9 year old fluffy (in so many ways) Golden Retriever.

He likes to give "Ten".  Though it looks like I should have been yelling, "This is a stick up!".

He was being lazy and didn't want to stand up. Goofball.

Anyway, I'm exceptionally happy with how it turned out.  It fits nicely (look at those sleeves!) and cost me $5.40.   I may change up the ties a bit later, but I really do like them. And I'm glad I kept the loose fit - it's a cozy dress to wear. Feels like pajamas. :)

So don't be afraid to hunt the "super-clearance" racks for deals, especially in the larger sizes.  Plus, if this had failed, I would have a lot of nice knit fabric to work with on the cheap. I couldn't lose.

By the way, my best camera broke today. I'm a very sad panda.  So unless Santa is bringing me a camera, I'll have iPad pics, phone pics, and point-and-shoot pics indefinitely.  Blah!

Here's to a great weekend everyone!

Jess