I didn’t make a new dress… but I did update an old one! In fact, this is the second round of major updates to this dress! The first round, pictured below, is explained in this past post from 2017.
While the dress with the first round of updates was certainly better than it had been in its initial form, I still wasn’t super pleased with the fit. Despite that, it has come in handy for a number of events and just keeps getting worn. So, for an event late last year I decided to do even more updates to the dress to try to feel happier about how it looks on me.
Here is a rundown of the most recent alterations:
- Maxed out the hem, using 3 different bits of vintage lace hem tape in various shades of ‘navy’ blue that were gifted to me over the years. It’s so nice to be able to use these gifted vintage finds. I appreciate seeing the prices on the packaging changing over the years!
- Stiffened the hem of the back velvet drape with horsehair hidden under a facing of leftover velvet scraps (during and after photos, below).
- Added small horizontal tucks at the sides to try to get the hem to be a little more of an A-line shape.
- Took in the sides under the arms even more than I had previously and tacked down all of the flapping bits.
- Added a 1″ belt, made from scraps of the fabric, with a rhinestone buckle at the center to help create more of a 1930s and less of a modern look.
- Opened center front between the two bust pieces to create a deeper V neckline.
- Added bra cups, covered with scrap fabric and tacked inside.
- Added tacks as well as hooks and bars to the back velvet drape to help it hang nicely.
I hope to wear this again later this year and get photos of this second iteration of updates!
The Quintessential Clothes Pen 
Dear Quinn,
No worries der you keep pulling out the gown to wear it, because it’s lovely! And oh so of it’s time. With your hair and stance you could easily fool the viewer into wondering if they had stepped through a time door.
Ver best,
Natalie in KY
Thank you, Natalie!
From the front it almost looks (or used to look like, before these updates) a modern evening gown, so it’s nice to hear that it doesn’t seem that way to you. I had thought I would wear it this month, but I made a new dress instead… (the inspiration fairies struck, lol!) Photos of the new dress will be coming early in 2024. 😉
So for now, this one is still waiting for another outing to get updated photographs. Hopefully that doesn’t take too long!
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Your alterations are works of art! Love the photos and details.
Thank you, Margaret! It is fun, for me at least, to spend time on the small details. 🙂 Thank you for appreciating them!
That dress is so gorgeous! I always drag my feet on the alterations, but then wonder why I took so long when I finally do it. lol
Thank you, Laurie!
I understand… alterations are not the most fun. But it is rewarding to keep a garment going in various ways.
Happy holidays! Wishing you the best.
Such a lovely dress!
Thank you!