Mustard yellow dress - Refashion

I follow this lady on Instagram named Sarah Tyau. I came across her late this summer. (I think it was about the time she was gaining a ton of popularity, and was featured with PEOPLE). I really enjoy following her, seeing her photos, watching her stories, and reading her posts. She is funny, cute, somewhat cheesy, but overall very good and authentic. She became well known because of her 'refashioning' skills. She takes clothes that don't fit very well and sews them into something cute. I fell in love with the idea.

I grew up sewing and watching my mother sew. She even refashioned a few things, quite often, now that I think about it. However, after following this account I became reminded and inspired about refashioning. She really changed the way I look at clothes that I give away to Goodwill and also how I look at the clearance rack. I not only just think that I could add sleeves or length, but I pay attention to fabrics that I love, and becoming more brave in what I chop and re-sew. I have taken in a few dresses and skirts for my girls that I love the fabric or style of them, but that don't fit them right, or don't fit them yet and I want them to wear them now. ( little trick, I don't cut on some of these so that I can take the side seams and hem out easily and have the dress grow with them if I desire) (and sorry that was a confusing sentence, but a fairly important one).

In this dress that I want to show you I completely changed what the article of clothing was. Saved on buying fabric! Woot Woot. I wish I had a 'before' picture, but I don't. However, this mustard dress was a maxi skirt someone gave me as a hand me down that just never laid very well. However, I loved the color and didn't want to see it go to waste. (since I am pretty sure it wouldn't flatter anybody, it was a weird maxi skirt).

I cut the skirt completely. I cut my own pattern for a bell sleeve dress for Madison. I didn't even have to hem it and just used the original hem. It is not perfect, but it was fun, and I learned a lot about sewing with knits. I even crocheted a little collar for her to hide the imperfections in the neck. ;)

I even crocheted a cowl as an option as well. ( she loved having a choice)