It’s a DIY: Modernized Vintage Dress

It’s a DIY: Modernized Vintage Dress

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

When I was thinking about returning to blogging, one of the biggest roadblocks I encountered was trying to figure out a name for the site.  Because I’m not one that can come up with catchy phrases and taglines, it was truly a major challenge.  I worried and stressed and worried and stressed some more.  But as I was browsing thru my old Instagram and Facebook photos one day, I realized I was always using the hashtag, #YesIMadeMyDress.  The hashtag actually came about because times when I would wear something I created out and about, I would get a compliment.  When I would be asked where I bought the garment, I would tell the person that I made it myself.  The questions that usually followed would be “You really made that” or “I can’t believe you made that outfit”.  My humble reply would be “Yes, I made my dress.” All the time, the one thing I was stressing about was right under my nose but I allowed overthinking and worrying to blind me.

On to the dress…Modernized vintage dress using Butterick 5708

Modernized vintage dress using Butterick 5708

This look was definitely inspired by my love of a fun vintage dress.  There’s truly something special about the eras when women wore nothing but cinched waist dresses and full skirts.  I used Butterick pattern 5708, which I’ve had for a while and but never even bothered to cut it, to achieve this modernized vintage dress look.

Modernized vintage dress using Butterick 5708

For the fabric, I used a wax print cotton picked up during my trip to Nigeria last December.  I loved this print a lot and ended up buying 12 yards of it.  Have y’all noticed my extreme fabric buying habits yet?  But to my defense, I have a few more looks in mind to create with the fabric.  The vintage dress is the first of the looks.

The pattern called for a petticoat to be worn under the skirt to give more body or fluff. Because I don’t really have a need for one in my closet, I wore  an old tulle skirt I created a while ago instead.  It did the job just fine.  I didn’t modify the pattern much, just shortened the dress by 2 inches.

Modernized vintage dress using Butterick 5708

The look was paired with these Jeffery Campbell shoes which are unfortunately sold out but these are just as cute.  I wore the dress to an event with my mom and will definitely wear it a couple more times.

Modernized vintage dress using Butterick 5708

It’s so funny how we stress ourselves out about minor things but a lot of us are equipped with the tools to handle what life sends us.  I have to admit that I’m a natural worrier.  I stress about things that I can’t change and worry about life’s unexpected turns.  But a lot of my worrying has subsided because I have learned to trust that things will fall in place and I can handle any challenge.  I figured as long as I keep positively thinking and facing the challenges head on, things will fall in place.  So all that stressing about trying to find a blog name wasn’t all that necessary because all I had to do was force myself to stop worrying and work thru the roadblocks.  How do y’all handle challenges that lead to stress and worrying?

 

 

 

Follow:

28 Comments

  1. Sheena Steward
    October 24, 2018 / 12:09 pm

    I’m glad you’re back and I’m happy I’ve been introduced to your page. You have a new fan. I kept saying she made that dress WOW!!! You preached q word though. We stress about the things we have no business stressing over because in the end it always works out. Welcome back to blogging. ❤️

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 24, 2018 / 10:08 pm

      Thank you so much. I’m so happy to be back to blogging!

  2. October 24, 2018 / 5:42 pm

    This dress is GORGEOUS!!! I love the Ankara fabric you chose and the use of tulle underneath. This is definitely an updated vintage dress I would wear and the title of your blog is perfect! Great job!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 24, 2018 / 10:15 pm

      Thank you. The print literally called my name as soon as I saw it. It’s so beautiful in person.

  3. October 24, 2018 / 7:17 pm

    Very cute and I know the feeling. I used to make my clothes in my teens and always heard that. I really should get back into sewing.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 24, 2018 / 10:17 pm

      Thanks so much! Yeah, you should get back to the sewing fun.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:38 am

      Thank you!!

  4. October 25, 2018 / 4:29 pm

    Sewing is a skill that I never acquired, but I have a healthy appreciation for people who can. This dress is gorgeous and looks amazing on you. I am glad that you found your niche in blogging again.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:39 am

      Thank you so much. Sewing is seriously something that I avoided for years but I’m so happy I finally took it seriously.

  5. Nicole Vick
    October 25, 2018 / 5:10 pm

    That dress is GORGEOUS! I want one now. Lol! Let me go find you on IG.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:40 am

      Thank you! yes…send me a message.

  6. Kita
    October 25, 2018 / 10:14 pm

    Beautiful dress. I love the fabric and all the details.

  7. Ranesha
    October 25, 2018 / 11:37 pm

    Welcome back woe that dress is gorgeous gone girl it screams unstoppable.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 26, 2018 / 7:33 am

      LOL! Thank you!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:38 am

      Thanks so much!!

  8. October 25, 2018 / 11:48 pm

    Wow, you are so talented! I Iove the dress so much, and the blog name too.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 26, 2018 / 7:33 am

      Thank you so much!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:37 am

      Thank you Nicole.

  9. October 26, 2018 / 9:56 am

    Nice to see you back! I love this dress; I want one for myself. And the photoshoot looks like you had a great time.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:37 am

      Thank you so much Kim. It feels so good to be back. I would gladly make you one any time.

  10. October 26, 2018 / 1:08 pm

    Welcome back! This name is absolutely perfect. I am guilty of over thinking and missing the answer that is right in front of my face. I love this dress, and I love a petticoat.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:36 am

      Thank you! I’m so glad to be back. Overthinking is seriously a progress blocker.

  11. October 27, 2018 / 9:40 am

    Beautiful dress! I use to worry about everything but over the years I’ve found that I only don’t let the little things stress me as much.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:35 am

      Thank you. Yes, it’s hard sometimes but I have to keep reminding myself of that as well.

  12. October 28, 2018 / 11:38 pm

    Skills! I love that dress. I’m a dress lover so, yes you have a new fan!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      October 31, 2018 / 7:34 am

      Thanks so much! And yes…dress lovers unite!!

  13. Angie
    October 30, 2018 / 2:48 pm

    I take a tiny pill every night & my worries fade away. It took years of panic, worry, & thinking I can handle it when I couldn’t to come to this desision. I feel like myself again, like I was before I tried adulting in this rediculose world where you can’t rent an apartment without 2 jobs & 6 roommates. I still stress but over truly stressful things.

Leave a Reply to Arnitris Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

%d bloggers like this:

Looking for Something?