Pages

▼

Friday, 17 October 2014

Kielo Wrap Dress Refashion

A few months ago you may remember that I made the Kielo Wrap Dress by Named patterns, in a winter version using a charcoal grey ponte. See blog post here. Although I was happy with the dress, I just didn't love it on me. I have a rectangular shaped figure and I felt this dress made me look like a brick. All those ties wrapping around my waist just added bulk. It has been languishing in my wardrobe taking up valuable space, so I decided to make it more wearable for me.
Kielo Wrap Dress refashioned
My refashion was very simple. I unpicked the side seams and removed the waist ties. Then I used my trusty shift dress pattern piece, to recut the side seams and hemline. (This is a frankenpattern of the Tilly and the Buttons "Coco dress" and the Style Arc "Kristen dress")
Pattern laid out to recut side seams
The neckline and armholes remain unchanged. I also left the armhole darts in place.
My new shift dress
The back darts remain unchanged.
Worn with a belt in an attempt to create some waist definition.
I must be happy with my new dress as I have worn it to work several times already. Much better than languishing unworn in the wardrobe. It's great to layer with a bright cardigan (Style Arc Nina made pre blog) and easy to dress up with a simple scarf. This is how I have worn it to work:

I really must attempt this refashion thing more often. I have some near new men's tees that could be made into something else if I put some thought into it. There is so much inspiration out there in blog land.

 Happy Sewing
at

18 comments:

  1. Goodbye Valentino17 October 2014 at 21:50

    Wow, Jean - Isn't it a great feeling to make lemonade out of lemons? I refashion from time to time and know this was not easy. Great save, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret19 October 2014 at 09:29

      Thanks Sarah. It is great to have made this dress so much more wearable for me.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous17 October 2014 at 23:46

    Great refashion. And a great feeling to get something wearable out of this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret19 October 2014 at 09:31

      Thanks Manju. So much better to be wearing this dress now, rather than having it just cluttering up my wardrobe.

      Delete
  3. Angela18 October 2014 at 01:24

    Rectangular figure challenges -- I know all about them:) I love your new version, especially with that red cardigan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret19 October 2014 at 09:33

      Thanks Angela. It is so tempting to try every new shiny pattern out there, but I am really trying to choose patterns that suit my shape better.

      Delete
  4. SewCraftyChemist18 October 2014 at 03:06

    I liked it as sewn but I like this one too! I love the cardigan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret19 October 2014 at 09:35

      I loved the pattern too, Nakisha, and there are lots of great looking Kielo Wrap dresses out there in blogland. I think it really suits a more curvier figure than I have. Lesson learned.

      Delete
  5. MaciNic18 October 2014 at 10:12

    Lovely re-fashion! I have the opposite problem with shift dresses ;) This looks wonderful & flattering - love the red cardigan & scarf ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret19 October 2014 at 09:36

      Thank you MaciNic. It certainly suits my shape better. I have seen your version of the Kielo Wrap Dress and it suits you beautifully.

      Delete
  6. KellysSewing18 October 2014 at 12:10

    Awesome remake! Love it with the red cardigan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret19 October 2014 at 09:38

      Thanks Kelly. The red cardigan is a favourite garment I made pre blog. It's a Style Arc Nina Cardigan. Certainly gives the charcoal grey a lift.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous18 October 2014 at 18:48

    Brilliant idea and yes I agree with you, much better. Especially like your styling with red

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret19 October 2014 at 09:40

      Thanks Ruth. I am so glad I was able to refashion this dress into something I will get lots of wear out of. The red did bring it to life.

      Delete
  8. fabric epiphanies18 October 2014 at 19:16

    I liked the original but sometimes for wearability simple is best! The red is a nice contrast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret19 October 2014 at 09:42

      Thank you Andrea. I just felt like a brick in the original and that's why it stayed in the wardrobe. I feel much more comfortable in the refashioned version and I know I will reach for it often.

      Delete
  9. Sharon24 October 2014 at 15:22

    Great idea to refashion this dress into something that you are enjoying wearing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew, Jean Margaret24 October 2014 at 17:51

      Thanks Sharon. It has been worn quite a few times already.

      Delete