80's Bridesmaid Dress Refashion

Today I have a little different look for you than what you typically see on my blog. I am currently working with Minerva.com on a sequin project blog post highlighting their gorgeous special occasion fabrics. When the opportunity to create a holiday piece arose I was excited to join in on the fun. As I worked on the sequin outfit I had a very hard time deciding what top I wanted to wear underneath. I sewed two different crop tops, both with different looks and fabrics but there was one thing that became clear- I did not want to show my stomach. LOL- I don’t know why it was just a huge no for me with this outfit but it was and so I headed in my final direction which was this fun corset top pattern. Upon seeing the pattern I thought it would be the perfect easy touch for this look and I knew exactly what fabric I wanted to use. After digging through my craft room I finally found the 80’s bridesmaid dress I knew was there and ta-da- the new top was created. Read on below for how I used this dress to create the refashion.

Pictured here with the Bailey Bell Bottom Pants in the Minerva Sequin Stretch Fabric. I wrote a full pattern review of the pants pattern here.

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I started with this 80’s bridesmaid dress that was generously gifted to me from my sister in law’s mother. (If you know me..don’t throw out your things, always ask me first- LOL) I loved the color on it and had originally wanted to use the bottom to make a tulip skirt but it was quite small on me. I could not zip it up in the back because it was so tight so I knew it would have to be repurposed using the fabric, not just a quick alteration to use the skirt as is.

Next I bought Simplicity 8598 and set to work making view D. I used the skirt of the dress by simply cutting it off from the bodice so it was easier to work with. I had plenty of fabric within the skirt for all the pieces since the princess seamed top allows you to cut very small pieces. I used the same fabric for the lining (yep, had enough for that too all within the skirt) and purchased boning at my local Hobby Lobby. You can find boning at your local fabric stores or online at places like Amazon or Walmart:

After I put the pattern together I realized a big problem, it showed my dang stomach too. If you read my intro you know that was the one thing I was trying to avoid so I grabbed the tie belt that was on the original dress and stitched it to the bottom of the top, leaving the ties in the back so it would remain open at the zipper. The zipper used here is a separating zipper to get the top on and off so you can not block the bottom of the zipper or it will not function. My zipper insertion was clearly not my best work here…but let’s show you a pic of that back detail.

Adding the belt allowed me to cover my stomach and add another touch which I love. I can tie the belt in a bow on the back, side, or front and I love the wrap around detail at the waist.

Aside from a few small fitting woes, this top was a fun quick sew. I wrote up my full pattern review below. I hope you will check out the finished look on Minerva and make sure to come back for my Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Sequins- full of help for all your sequin sewing projects!

Simplicity 8598 Pattern Review

PATTERN DESCRIPTION:

Mix and match your prom or special occasion look with these tops and corsets sized for Misses 8 – 16 and Women 18W – 26W. Silhouettes includes crop top with sheer or open back options, corsets with front slit, spaghetti strap or peplum, all with boning and an off-the-shoulder ruffle to be worn as an overlay.

PATTERN SIZING:

I used the 8-16 pattern envelope and cut a 10 top to 14 waist. I found that the bust area was way too big on me. This isn’t really that surprising as I commonly have this problem, but I wish I would have just pin fit the princess seam rather than sewing it together and continuing to take it in little by little until it fit. It threw it off a bit with the fabric/curves looking slightly wonky in the end. Sigh…progress not perfection. Next time, I know to pin fit the princess seamed bodice front to me to get the fit I need or figure out a small bust adjustment.

DID IT LOOK LIKE THE PHOTO/DRAWING ON THE PATTERN ENVELOPE ONCE YOU WERE DONE SEWING?

Sort of. I chose view D but I did not like the shorter length on me and so I added on the tie waist from the dress I was refashioning to create a longer top and a tie waist detail.

WERE THE INSTRUCTIONS EASY TO FOLLOW?

Yes, the instructions were pretty clear and easy. The zipper is a separating zipper which is not my usual choice so the only ones I had were extra long and needed to be cut. I couldn’t make the plier trick the directions refer to for trimming the zipper work, so my top of the zipper is a bit off with how I completed it. Again…progress not perfection here 🙂 The boning was easy to use and I love the structure it gives to the top.

WHAT DID YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE OR DISLIKE ABOUT THE PATTERN?

The only dislike was the length of the top. I liked the v-shaped front, the boning, the small pieces for sewing/cutting and the overall pattern construction was easy to follow.

WOULD YOU SEW IT AGAIN? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHERS?

While I am not sure I need another top like this in my wardrobe, I am somewhat tempted to try to tackle the zipper and princess seams a second time and see if I can improve. I like the view with the peplum added so maybe I will give this top another go. It is great for an advanced beginner or up but I wouldn’t recommend the pattern for a beginner.

CONCLUSION:

A cute and fairly quick little top to add a great finishing touch to your special occasion outfits. This strapless top is super cute and could be paired with several pieces for a few different looks. While not something I need to sew many of, this top worked perfect for the outfit I was creating.

Need more special occasion inspiration? You may enjoy these looks:

Until Next Time,

Happy Sewing