I don't always shop retail...

...but when I do, I ALWAYS make this funny face:

 

 Yup.  My sleep deprived, slightly cross-eyed, "hope I secured my camera well enough so it doesn't fall and break like the last one" look.  

I bought this little ditty eons (read: I don't really remember) ago at a popular clothing chain that rhymes with "Sold Gravy."  Now in my defense, I was actually in "Sold Gravy" in an attempt to find Little Guy some adjustable shorts because he literally grows like a weed (a giant weed, I might add), and there just so happened to be an additional 50% off clearance promotion.  Let's face it, I'm a creature of habit.  Of course I loved the girly print and color combo, and the fit was surprisingly okay, albeit a bit long.  With plans to shorten and utilize for church, I filed the dress in the back of my closet where it was abducted by the closet gods, never to be seen until 2 days ago.  Go figure.

 Enlisting the help of a discarded white tank in my refashion stash, snipped about 8 1/2 inches from the bottom hem.  New top..check.

Then, I snipped the bust off of the original dress right above the waist using my super-de-dooper pinking shears.  New skirt...check, check.

With right sides together, I placed the white top over the skirt, and stitched using a zigzag stitch with a 5/8" seam allowance at the top unfinished edge.

 The top was a bit stretched out (the numero uno reason it was to be refashioned) and needed a bit more support.  I folded the top down about 1 inch and stitched, making sure to leave a small section open, in order to form a casing for some elastic.

 Attached length of elastic to safety pin and threaded into new casing.

 At this point, I tried the dress on, adjusted the elastic to my liking, marked the closure with the safety pin, and stitched the elastic.  I also stitched the opening in the casing closed.

To tackle the length, I placed my most fave refash over the skirt, matching at the waistline and snipped.  Folded in the hem and stitched again. 

 Presto, Chango!  Completed in enough time to meet the gals for KK's B-day festivities at Monsoon India.

The view from our table.  *insert collective sigh*

 Enjoying the food, booze, and company.

Happy Birthday KK!!

Toodles,

lori

Working the Magic...

...Magic Mike that is.  Quite possibly one of the most highly anticipated movies of ALL time (move over Breaking Dawn and Hunger Games) due mostly in part to the following:

While I'm not a huge Channing Tatum fan, this movie was the perfect "Mommy's Night Out" flick...well, for obvious reasons.  Of course the gals had to pull my leg to go (not really) and I was mostly interested in the storyline (bwahahahaha), it served as the perfect opportunity for me to whip out this little ditty:

Scored for a mere $1, this colorful little ensemble was brand new with tags.  I was especially drawn to the vibrant print and gauzy material.

Unfortunately the intricate bead detailing up front was a bit much and soooo not Magic Mike worthy.  Removed post haste with handy dandy seam ripper.

Almost done!  

 I decided to take advantage of the crisscross wrap neckline and fluttery sleeves and turn this into a kimono inspired top.  I began by taking in the shoulder seams by  2 inches.  I wanted the sleeves to be as fluttery as possible, so left these untouched. 

I then removed the satin tie at the seam from the left side.  Once removed, I folded the raw edge to the wrong side and stitched.  Of course, having matching orange thread to do this would have been ideal, BUT as my last post stated, I'm a little "redneck" and didn't want to head to the store to buy some.

Lining up the tie with the cross at the bust, stitched to the band trying to overlap my white stitches to make it less obvious.  When tied with the remaining strap from the right side of the top, this detail will serve as a belt and cinch the waist.

Paired with my favorite jeans and "movie purse" I was ready to meet the girls and take one for the team.

Waiting patiently in line with about 200 other fabulous females (and 3 males) to watch the MAGIC!

Let's hear it for the boys!

lori