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Hello! I'm Suzannah, a serious DIYer and mom of two little ones. Follow along with my DIY fixer upper house renovations, sewing and crafty projects, real food recipes, and de-stressing goals.
I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.
I'm also the author of DIY Wardrobe Makeovers!

Self-made dress makeover, into a top!

I just did an upcycle/makeover of a clothing item I made myself to begin with--how "meta" am I?? ;)

I made this dress last year and totally liked it--the iceskater shape, the flattering waist and neckline, and that great cottony double-knit (worn here). But I didn't wear it much, and this fall I wanted more peplum tops! Since I loved my springy/summery ones so much.

So I cut off the bottom of the skirt all the way around and hemmed it, and turned the sleeves into facings (cut off most of the sleeve, pressed and understitched), and voila! New top!

Much more wearable for every day. Although I haven't yet mastered layering with a peplum top... always worn mine in the hot weather. Ideas?

14 comments

  1. Thank you so much for this idea!! I have a way-too-short H&M skater dress in my to-donate bag, and I was really bummed about getting rid of it. Now I can just lop off a section, re-hem it, and call it a peplum top! I'm excited to get going on that refashion.

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  2. Those waist darts are awesome - which pattern are you using for that?

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    1. Ah, yes! The ol' fave Simplicity 2444. Super simple style but it has those flattering darts!

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  3. gorgeous love it! :)

    Barnicles

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  4. you could go turtle neck under it - black turtle neck and black skirt for exaple. I also saw this great styling with a button down shirt under it: http://pinterest.com/pin/118993615125726400/
    with yours I would go plaid in the same color tone, or a contrasting fall hue. And for something to wear on top, a cropped cardigan that doesn' cover up the flounce would work...
    Nice job on the refashioning!

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  5. This is darling! I did love it as a dress - the color and shape were so great. But shortening the hem gave it a whole new life. I love the peplum trend and it's great that it's sticking around for a while. You will get a lot of use out of this top now!

    Callie
    www.coffeeandcardigans.com

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  6. Adorable!! I live tips like that with blazers. Very classy. I need to give this a shot!

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  7. I've been contemplating the same problem with how to style a peplum. I'm friggin' cold almost all day usually (my bosses even bought me my own space heater), so wearing a short sleeved shirt at any time from October to June is not likely to happen for me. I'm in the midst of my own capped sleeve peplum and am hoping to find a way to wear it when it's done. I'll be watching to see what you come up with.

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    1. Same here, I leave my little heater running almost all the time at work. ;) Not sure yet but the comment above from @Petite Josette has an idea... http://pinterest.com/pin/118993615125726400/ layer under! I'll give it a shot sometime!

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  8. Anonymous11/01/2012

    Well done. I like the top so much more than the dress.

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  9. Holy Moly! It's unrecognisable from the dress and looks ten times better as a top. Gorgeous color for you too!

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