A week or so ago before the hustle and bustle of a lengthy work week I decided to kick boredom in the bum one day and dye some lace. If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, then you've seen the lovely result, but I've also been preoccupied with finishing holiday shopping and just getting around to wearing and sharing.
In all honesty I was not in love with this dress initially, because I wasn't extremely keen on the collar design on me. However, it was quite easy to slash, dye, and sew my thoughts deep into the seams.
The vision was simple: creating an ombre aesthetic, yet making the dress look slightly vintage. No sketch was required, rather the passion for a successful outcome, and merely being in good health afterward was going to be the ultimate reward; this would be a high-fumed project.
On the Agenda:
I flattened the collar, cut the length significantly, and altered the sleeves making it 3/4 length ... it was starting to look better to me. Then, I slashed the ruffles from the collar and re-sewed them in a more pleasing way, at least to my eyes. Lastly, I altered the fit of the dress and hemmed the rest of the dress, adding gathers at the waist.
I imagine this dress, (once all black with grey stitching) had an overdose of frill appeal intentionally, because that must have been the trend at that time, but I potentially saw something else in this silhouette.
My dear friend gifted me this dress a long time ago, knowing that I'd hear the little designing voice inside of me wanting to shake things up a bit, only to aid in the betterment of the dress of course! Yes, there were times when I wore the dress as it was intended, however through the years I've felt that it's my duty to do whatever is needed to make me LOVE this dress!
This little art project had me reminiscent of my design school days, having more time on my hands to dive into more crafty/art experimentation.
Next, I analysed the fabric and began to bleach the collar and sleeves, then I hung them to air dry, and to see if I achieved the result that I wanted. Lastly, I used a spray bottle mixed with tan dye, and another bottle mixed with a small amount of bleach, both with adding water and began to sporadically saturate the lace, some areas with more coverage than others. After a couple of hours I washed the dress twice, and hung it out to dry. Here's the result.

*Note: Always know your fabrics: Testing first is good beforehand, if you are uncertain about the fibres. All materials dye differently, so proper research is necessary unless you enjoy unwanted surprises!
The goods: Lace dress-DIY and altered-gifted, Knit pants-Topshop, Socks-Falke, Shoes-seen here, Necklace-here, Fan-Chinatown/SF
In all honesty I was not in love with this dress initially, because I wasn't extremely keen on the collar design on me. However, it was quite easy to slash, dye, and sew my thoughts deep into the seams.
The vision was simple: creating an ombre aesthetic, yet making the dress look slightly vintage. No sketch was required, rather the passion for a successful outcome, and merely being in good health afterward was going to be the ultimate reward; this would be a high-fumed project.

I flattened the collar, cut the length significantly, and altered the sleeves making it 3/4 length ... it was starting to look better to me. Then, I slashed the ruffles from the collar and re-sewed them in a more pleasing way, at least to my eyes. Lastly, I altered the fit of the dress and hemmed the rest of the dress, adding gathers at the waist.
I imagine this dress, (once all black with grey stitching) had an overdose of frill appeal intentionally, because that must have been the trend at that time, but I potentially saw something else in this silhouette.
My dear friend gifted me this dress a long time ago, knowing that I'd hear the little designing voice inside of me wanting to shake things up a bit, only to aid in the betterment of the dress of course! Yes, there were times when I wore the dress as it was intended, however through the years I've felt that it's my duty to do whatever is needed to make me LOVE this dress!
This little art project had me reminiscent of my design school days, having more time on my hands to dive into more crafty/art experimentation.


*Note: Always know your fabrics: Testing first is good beforehand, if you are uncertain about the fibres. All materials dye differently, so proper research is necessary unless you enjoy unwanted surprises!
The goods: Lace dress-DIY and altered-gifted, Knit pants-Topshop, Socks-Falke, Shoes-seen here, Necklace-here, Fan-Chinatown/SF
Oh wow, I really love what you've done to the dress and how you've made it 'you'. I love the new sleeve length!
ReplyDeleteFantastic results. I adore the dress. Those frills are gorgeous.
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Nice job!! Love it.
ReplyDeleteLooks VERY vintage. I like it.
ReplyDeleteWow that is an amazing job i love the colour x
ReplyDeletehttp://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/
amazing dress..kiss
ReplyDeleteWWW.ZAGUFASHION.COMZAGU FACEBOOK PAGE
wow you did an amazing job!!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat turned out gorgeous! Good job.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear. I was happy for the result.xxoo
ReplyDeleteHi Winnie! Yes, I couldn't help putting my mark on this dress. Thanks for the lovely comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much doll! xo
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this DIY! Amazing work, girl. I'm jealous of your skills.
ReplyDeletewww.chillairandperfume.blogspot.com
This came out really nice. I'm a huge fan of lace, and this dress is quite lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe collar is so pretty! I love the way that you did this. The whole outfit looks great.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/Twitter: @GlamKitten88
Great dye result!
ReplyDeleteShasie of Live
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You are a genius at this. Have you sent this in to I spy DIY? You should.
ReplyDeleteawesome job! you look so stunning.
ReplyDeleteI really, really love how this turned out! It feels both retro and completely updated!!!! Nice work Madison! (oh, and if you get sick of it, please send it my way!)
ReplyDeletePretty! I wish your photos were bigger so I could see a bit better though. I'm sure there are details I'm missing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kavery that's super sweet compliment. I loved how this came out. xo
ReplyDeleteYes, to lace loving ladies! thank you Kirstin.
ReplyDeleteOh hey there hun, thanks so much for the comment, and taking the time to view my DIY.
ReplyDelete~xxoo
Thank you dear.
ReplyDeleteNice job doll!*
ReplyDeletexXx
I've always loved lace!
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning, I love lace!! x
ReplyDeletenice dress dear!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my new outfit post!
MY BLOG: Dress up for armageddon
Aww, thank you so much dear. Lace has such a romantic look.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Josine!
ReplyDeletehaha! Yes, unfortunately the next size up for my images would fill the page cutting off some of the shot, perhaps if you click the image, depending on the browser I'm told you can see it larger. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Zarna! xo ;)
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday.
So glad that you liked it too! xx
ReplyDelete:-) Thanks! Really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteyou always find a way to recreate a look and make it great.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it. great job!
ReplyDeletegreat outfit!
ReplyDeleteWow awesome bit of DIY, I'd love to be able to do stuff like this... but for me...
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl! :) xx
ReplyDeleteLady, you always look so beautiful! I love how you've reinvented this lace dress. It turned out perfectly! Ah, to be so talented! :)
ReplyDeleteanother amazing combination, i love the combination of the sheer and the black! it emphasizes the color of the sheer, fabulous effect
ReplyDeleteI like the outcome! Well done Madison!
ReplyDeleteLoving the result & it looks amazing on you!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loving that dress. The print on it is great.
ReplyDeleteThanks! you can totally do this... for you of course! lol
ReplyDeleteI used to make and dye silk ties, my favourite! hhmm, maybe I will do one of those in the future again.
Thank you Bella, you're so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much in love with this lace! I want to do something else.
Hope that you had a good holiday weekend.
Thanks so much Anna! xxoo
ReplyDeleteHi Sherin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. I enjoyed dyeing this fabric, so happy that it turned out the way I wanted it too! :)
WOW.. your dress is fabulous..
ReplyDeletelovely
lee
http://leeoliveira.com
I love this! So cute! Love what you did with it
ReplyDeleteThanks Mandi! Hope you had a great thanksgiving holiday. xx
ReplyDeleteoh wow, such a good job! it looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea! It looks great!
ReplyDeletewww.styleisalwaysfashionable.blogspot.com
Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out really great! I would never think to bleack out lace because its usually a synthetic, but vintage lace usually has some natural fibers in it that bleach out beautifully apparently!!
ReplyDeletehttp://sleepydarlings.blogspot.com