We tried to be thematically correct, so first I went to my closet and found the sleeveless top. Then, I went thrifting... and found the champagne silk maxi skit and the beaded slip dress.
I wanted to make a kimono style jacket out of the slip dress. First I removed the lining and sewed the front & back together to create a single panel for the back. Then I took the sheer beaded over-slip and used the front and back pieces of it to make the left and right panels for the kimono jacket. I wanted a wavy effect for the sleeves, so I finished them up by turning a piece of brown ribbon into bias tape. I belted it with a thrift-shop belt and a vintage pin so any puffiness from not cutting a proper neckline was eliminated.
After the inevitable shortening of the skirt, I had some champagne lining left over (note to self: next time leave a slit to enable walking in grown-up steps). A handful of frippery and my trusty glue-gun led to my removable hat band for my good wool hat. I can still wear it this winter, sans the feathery goodies.
Next step was taking Dear Hubby to the costume rental store -- sadly, my clumsy refashioning skills were NOT up to upcycling something into a suit and tails for him. And...ta-dah!
This was kind of a dream come true for me, because I got to go to a party where I got to dress my friends... Vicki, with the lacy bell sleeves is wearing the birthday sweater I made her. It's in the January "A Birthday Sweater Redo..." blog. I can't take credit for any of Natalie's outfit, although I *did* get to go thrifting with her to get all of her pieces. Plus we had a misadventure that involved nearly selling her wallet at the Goodwill store... Thank you, ladies!
