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Dresses· Projects· sewing· Thrifted Thursdays

A Nautical Dress {made from the thrift store}

I literally squealed inside when I found this skirt below at the thrift store.  It was love at first hanger-pull, because I have been on the lookout for a pleated 80’s rayon goodness skirt for a while now.

At first I wanted the skirt all.to.myself.  (Ok.  Being honest, I still do.) I envisioned cutting off the top….cinching it in a bit and making a knee-length nautical skirt for me.  But when I brought her home and realized that the pleated part would be well above my knees (darn) I decided it was time for a little nautical dress.

So, I made a bodice, chopped off the top of the skirt, made a new casing and was about to sew the top to the bottom.

Except, the yellow bubble skirt was still on the dress form.  And the shirt/bodice looked so cute with the yellow bubble skirt that I decided it had to stay separates. 

Because you never know when you are going to need a sailor blouse with buttons down the back—which might just be the perfect top for lots of skirts, or capris, or any sailorish outfit.

By the way, I am now drafting a pattern of this shirt for myself.  I seriously love it. Except I am making mine off this picture.

And that’s how the glorious 80’s pleated rayon-goodness will stay.  Just perfectly as separates.

P.S.  If anyone has seen another 80’s pleated rayon goodness skirt…….pretty please let me know.  I now need one even more than before. (Even though you are all going to be snatching them up now.  And I can’t say I blame you.)  But just in case….

~Elizabeth

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Comments

  2. Jaime says

    Elizabeth that is one gorgeous remake – from thrifty to fabulous! Pleats are in and I’m using them too in my next dress (but I can’t bear to do more that 6 or so!). You really have an eye for the modern, fresh and classic look.

  6. sewVery says

    I love this! Would you consider putting out a tutorial for the blouse? You just don’t find patterns for blouses like that for little girls anymore. And I’ll keep my eye out at the thrift stores for another skirt for you!

  9. ooobop.com says

    So totally doesn’t look like a refashion. More like an exquisite designer piece. I love how that lime green pops with the navy stripes.

  11. Betsy&Joy says

    I’ve been looking for a blouse pattern like the modcloth one too (downeast has a really cute shirt I want with a bow also) and the only thing close is a vogue pattern…but if you were to create one? Ha ha. So cute.

  12. Betsy&Joy says

    I’ve been looking for a blouse pattern like the modcloth one too (downeast has a really cute shirt I want with a bow also) and the only thing close is a vogue pattern…but if you were to create one? Ha ha. So cute.

  15. Stef says

    Oh, I so love this. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I have Grace sitting on my lap and she’s throwing a fit because she wants the dress and I told her I’d try my best to make her one, but I guess she’s not buying my lack of solid commitment. I sure hope I can find a pleated skirt SOMEWHERE!!!!!