DIY: A Gift From India

Monday

couple of years ago I was given an intricately printed dress-fabric from my then flat mate's sister. She had worn it as a dress and later had no use for it, as it also had areas that needed repair. She said, "well if anyone can do something with this I think you will..."—  I've forgotten that I had this amazing piece, hopefully I've done this dress justice.

Initially when I tried it on the immediate task on the agenda was to take it off, given the incredibly ultra-slim fit! I'm not certain how one was suppose to move in this woven concoction. After I caught my breath I decided to hang this beautiful Indian printed dress on my wall within eyes-sight, so that every time in-passing I'd think of an idea to create or merely stare at it, grabbing inspiration with each look.
RE-design: the task at hand:
For this piece I needed to take out the hem of the sleeves for my arms, in addition to removing the invisible zipper for any wearing chance that this fabric had for my body and style. Creating a cropped jacket was the absolute concept that continued to enter my mind... the next part was actually executing that vision. 


When travelling anywhere I often try to visit local shops to find unique trims that can be used for future projects. I adored these crest enameled buttons, and thought they were perfect for the style combination that I wanted. I hope that you enjoy my jacket version of this lovely fabric! I will definitely think of another project for the excess fabric, however in the meantime here's what I've done. I'm also filled with anticipation to share a few (semi-completed) projects that I have up my sleeve, well... in due time! Let me know if you have any DIY questions.
These last two shots were actually an accident, as I wasn't "ready" (notice the big eye stare), but I thought I'd throw them into the mix... What can I say except that I am human. haha! Sometimes being partially unprepared makes the best candid photos, especially in route to work! Have you ever been pressed for time to take pictures and ended up with something that you liked... that may have been a mistake?  


I hope that all of you lovelies are having an amazing day, and welcome home if you are safely back from "The Big Apple" and its fashion festivities.
The goods: Gold trimmed tiered dress- Ladyofashion for Gestalt Collection, Jacket-DIY- Ladyofashion, Ribbon belt-Ladyofashion, Shoes-seen here.

101 comments

  1. Great job at making this dress work!
    Shasie
    of Live Life in
    Style

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  2. Samantha12 September

    Love it!  Great outfit!

    Thanks for visiting my blog! :o)-Samanthahttp://thisfashionista.blogspot.com

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  3. Unbelievably chic as always my dear.

    Kisses from pepa:X
    http://therubberdoll.com/

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  4. Love it! wait does it say you designed that dress?

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  5. Yes, I designed this dress- (design is my actually background.) Thanks so much Faye! I usually try to sneak in my designs... a piece here & there in my outfits. :)

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  6. great details!!!

    *Check out my site hourly for fashion week coverage*
    xo
    MosaMuse

    MosaMuse.blogspot.com

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  7. Wow, beautiful jacket. It looks so well made!

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  8. You did a phenomenal job with this dress!!! It looks incredible!!!! 

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  9. You are one talented lady!  The cropped jacket is unique and very cool!

    xoxo,Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  10. The jacket is amazing, absolutely love it and would totally wear it myself. You have serious skills girl.  And thank goodness the page loaded for me today, glad it did or I would have missed the precious gem.

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  11. You are really talented Madisson. I've lost count of how many different pieces you've changed around with DIY. great job. There's nothing more special than a piece with a past.

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  12. A Brit Greek12 September

    I am nuts about this look and genius bit of craftista! I wish I had a sister who'd give me cool bit's n pieces!
    x.o.x.o

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  13. You did an amazing job--hats off!

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  14. that DIY jacket is fantastic!!

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  15. I just love what you did to it!  It's fabulous! :)

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  16. It is great when creativity takes its shape. Well done. Xxxx

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  17. Madison, you are a re-design & DIY queen, I tell ya!  I love what you did with it.  Now when I see a dress that I think I can’t do anything with it, I will definitely think of you and re-think again of the possibilities!

    xoxo
    Cyrillynn

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  18. Thank you. I was happy with the final project it took time to get there. lol

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  19. haha! Thank you Cy! yes, when you're not certain about something definitely let me know if I can help with suggestions... I love coming up with new ideas. Thanks for the sweet compliment... So flattered! *blushes*

    hugs xxoo

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  20. Oooh I love the glamorous touch you gave to your jacket!! Makes it unique and more special. :)


    xoxo,
    Mel

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  21. Your flat mate's sister was absolutely correct--- you can make something out of anything!  And you prove it here again!

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  22. Love how the jacket turned out!

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  23. great job! I like your exotic indian inspiration. The cropped jacket is beautiful with the intricate gold trimmings and buttons. Such a beautiful outfit, great refashion! 

    love,mongs
    mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

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  24. Thanks for noticing dear Alexis! This was a fun creation. :)

    Hope you had such a blast in NYC! -xo

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  25. You are so sweet! & Thanks for the Tweet-love! Yay, for loading... though I have not had any problems recently so... glad that it worked for you.

    This was definitely a giftable-score worth working on! -)

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  26. Many thanks dear, glad that you liked it too!  :)

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  27. oh girl you are definitely talented! love the short jacket so much and the combination with the gold! absolutely perfect! 

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  28. So clever! Adjusting sleeves always give me a headache and the idea with the trims is great. The jacket looks absolutely gorgeous on you.

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  29. sartorialsidelines13 September

    I love it! You did such a seriously amazing job!


    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  30. You are fabulous babe!  :D XX

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  31. You did such a good job! I love it!

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  32. I wish I had your creativity lady! It's beautiful!

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  33. Thank you, I really appreciate the compliment form such a stylish lady as yourself. I have already worn this jacket twice. I love it so much! -xo :)

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  34. Hello there Mongs! Thank you. I thought these buttons were good enough & loved the gold with this print.  Have a wonderful day dear.

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  35. haha! Thanks Lauren. Yes there have been a few, but I actually have more things that I wanted to show, but did not want to inundate my readers with such creations, lol. Although, I do very much enjoy making apparel, & wish I could just do that all day, le sigh! :) -xo

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  36. Sabine, I know that you understand... Yes, adjusting sleeves definitely tests your patience. I think I am used to it, since most jackets and blazers that I buy, generally I have to alter them. (long arms I have) Thanks for your comment, lovely. 

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  37. Oh to Be a Muse13 September

    GOR-Geous! and pairing the look with those shoes is just perfect. :)

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  38. oh my dior14 September

    I love it you are so tallented!

    http://www.ohmydior.org/

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  39. J'adore your jacket, u did great job hun!!! How I like to have so talented people, like u,  whit whom I communicate often!!!:))
    kisses
    Jelena (http://glamfabchameleon.blogspot.com/)

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  40. This is freakin' awesome.  I'm always amazed by your creativity.

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  41. Your blog makes me wish I could sew! :) This jacket turned out brilliant!

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  42. really nice blog! if you want we can follow each others!

    http://freakyfriday-sabrina.blogspot.com/

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  43. Pullyoursocksup14 September

    What a fantastic refashioning - it looks beautiful and I love the gold with the brown so much:)).  Wow, I hang clothes around the house too while I wait for inspiration to make adjustments or get some styling ideas.  They're like works of art aren't they?

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  44. lhunterthomas14 September

    Amazing! You look super cute!

    Just in case you're interested, I'm giving away a Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 bag on my blog. Details here: http://www.beautynotbull.com/2011/09/giveaway-monogram.html:)Laura x
    :)
    Laura x

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  45. You always look so magnificent. I just love that jacket on you!  :)

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  46. fabienne jach14 September

    I'm so impressed, I can only dream of sewing so well some day! I'm getting more comfortable with my sewing machine but there's a lot of trial and error. I love what you did with the fabric.
    :) f








    The House in the Clouds

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  47. Aww, Thanks so much Courtney! 

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  48. I appreciate your comment dear, thanks so much! This was definitely a piece worth the wait to redesign. xxoo

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  49. Yes, it took a bit of time to finish. Thanks for commenting Audrey!  :)

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  50. I agree completely works of art. it's great inspiration as well. Thank you.

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  51. Heading over to check out your giveaways dear. Thanks for your lovely comment. xx

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  52. Thank you Brin, & welcome to Fashion Tales. :)

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  53. Thank you Steph, really appreciate the comment. :)

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  54. haha! Oh dear Jelena, thanks so much! let me know if you ever have a question. I'm more than happy to give suggestions. -xoxo

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  55. Hey there Cheryl, thank you much dear.

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  56. So glad that you liked it Katie, its a favourite for sure.

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  57. Thanks Mel! these buttons were meant for this jacket, & I even have a few more left over. :-)

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  58. thanks for your comment. -xxoo
    Have a great day.

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  59. Hi Samantha,
    Many thanks hon. :)

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  60. Hi Fabienne!
    Thank you, I was excited for this turn out. I used to loathe sewing in design school, but love it more & more through the years. 
    Enjoy your week dear. -xxoo

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  61. Tereza Anton14 September

    You look gorgeous.

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  62. wow you did such a good job with that!! it looks gorgeous on you :)

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  63. what a cool refashion, and a gorgeous dress!

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  64. fiammasfashion14 September

    You look stunning! So feminine and elegant!

    XoXoPlamihttp://www.fashionthrill.com/

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  65. You did the best job with the Indian fabric. My mum has a sari like that and I know how hard it is to sew with Indian silk. And you look a million dollars

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  66. This is an amazing outfit and you look gorgeous in it! I see you are a bit like Vahni at Grit & Glamour, you never take a bad picture! Thanks for leaving nice comments on my blog, I'm following you starting now and we are already Twitter friends! Have you been watching any of the shows this week?

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  67. I love it, absolutely love!  Cropping it was a brilliant idea and you're friend is right, you pulled it off beautifully. 
    xo Christine

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  68. this jacket is unbelievable!  i love it.  very cute.  you're so talented!

    Claire

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  69. That dress looks great on you. Nice job modifying it. I have no gift for craftiness so I envy those who do!

    http://mystylecanvas.blogspot.com

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  70. That's awesome you were able to repurpose this to work for you :)

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  71. Wow I love this fabric! It's amazing ♥

    Sabrina

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  72. how cleaver! You did wonders with this! I love reconstructed pieces!

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  73. I loved the print as well. Thanks for your comment Sabrina. 

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  74. Thank you Courtney. I feel it was a purpose for her giving it to me, and I was happy to turn it into something to fit my style. :)

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  75.  haha, thanks for the sweet comment, the gift of craftiness definitely need patience, I've learned over the years. :)

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  76. haha, I wish, no I take bad photos, but recent years I've learned that many of the ones that I hate, other people seem to like so I enjoy mixing in odd ones at times as well. 

    Thanks Jill. Happy weekend to you friend. (also follow you) -xo

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  77. Thanks Kavery! yes it is quite difficult to sew, so glad that you brought that up, as most people do not know. :)

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  78. Thanks so much, the dress is an old one that I made, I have not worn in a long time.

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  79. Thank you have a lovely weekend.

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  80. Thanks Claire. I really appreciate the compliment.

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  81. Yet another lovely DIY project from you!! I was just saying I need to break out my sewing machine and get cracking again. Admitting I need to do it is the first step.....haha! I'll keep you posted on my progress!

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  82. Thanks lady! Break it out! I didn't used to like sewing but it's have grown on me, and hey if it's not broke... don't fix it 'eh? haha! No I like it more now because I'm good at it. keep me posted would love to see your works.

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  83. Effortlessxcool29 September

    SO cool, you did an amazing job!

    XO Sahra

    EffortlessCool

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