Refashioning: Red Valentino Inspired - Black Ruffle Bow Tie Keyhole Dress

I love the brand Red Valentino, especially dresses that are kinda throw-backy like these. 

On this one, I like the ruffle detail countered by the simple A-line short skirt.

On this one, I like the bow tie detail, harkening back to the feminine "power blouses" of the 80s. 

On this one, I love the ruffle up by the neckline.

And this blouse is awesome with the statement-making ruffle down the sides of the front, and the keyhole bow tie. 

I went to Goodwill and found this dress. It's got an awesome ruffle and bow tie, yet. . .the length of the skirt and sleeves are so over-whelming. 

Time for an update!

Before getting into the tutorial part, I wanted to show you a close-up of the ruffle/bow tie. Really awesome and worth saving!

First, I cut the sleeves off.

Then, I measured the cut-off portions to remake them into sleeve cuffs.

This is what they look like as cuffs, but before being sewn on.

Then, I cut off 5 inches from the bottom of the dress.

A close up.

Then, I hemmed the skirt up an inch.

Then, I pinned the button placket back down to the third button to make a keyhole in the neckline.

Here is the finished dress! Looks so much more modern. Cutting the length off the sleeves and hemline and opening up the keyhole really helps to make the ruffle area the statement part of the dress, instead of it getting lost in all the length and downward movement.

And because the fabric is sorta sheer, and because Red Valentino likes to layer prints under sheers, and just for fun. . .I put a polka dot skirt underneath! But you could also just wear it with a slip.

The End!

Refashioning: Updating a Long-Sleeve Bow Tie Blouse - Tailoring and Creating a Keyhole

The bow tie blouse was an office staple in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, but then it died off for about 25 or so years. Anyways, it's back, Baby! That means you can raid those dated thrift store racks versus going out to buy a brand new one! All you need is two simple sewing steps and you have a stylish, updated blouse!

So, here is one that I found last week on a thrifting adventure. It is a bonafide vintage blouse from the 70s. I loved the color, and since it is polyester, it will NEVER die! :) However, you can see it's WAY too "blouse-y" for current trends.

The first thing to do is to turn the blouse inside out. Make sure the shoulders fit. A lot of vintage blouses have HUGE shoulders, and some of them are even padded. If you run across this issue, you will have to take in the shoulders. Anyways, these shoulders were just at my acceptable limit, so I left them where they were.

Then, I pinned all down the inside seams of the sleeves from the base of the cuff (I left the cuff itself alone), up to the armpit, and then down the side of the bodice. I did that on both sides.

And here is the second really important "current trend" step: Creating a keyhole under the bow. All I did was fold the button placket back from the base of the bow ties to the second button, stitch that part down, and then cut off the top button. That's how easy making a keyhole is! This picture is showing you the pinned keyhole from the wrong side.

And here is the "Before" on the left and the "After" on the right!

Super easy!

The End!