Saturday, May 16, 2009

Altered Dress

The lace and fabric of this dress is so pretty!

(I added the pink ribbon.)
I found this lacy Gunne Sax dress (circa 1970's I'm guessing)
at a thrift store this week for $4.00. My initial plan was
to take it apart and use the beautiful fabric for something...
Perhaps baby dresses? But the skirt of the dress is so
fabulous that I just couldn't bring myself to cut it up.
And since I collect romantic clothing for photo props and for
models to wear for paintings ... I decided to just alter the top.
Below is an 'after' photo.

What a change from the original!

Here is a close-up of the 'before' bodice

And below ~ after the alterations.

Now to find the perfect model to pose for me in this!
(Megan? Walking with your children??? : )

... Hanging on my easel just waiting ...
~ sigh ~

Sheer white fabric and lace ~ and pearls of course ~
are such an inspiration!

16 comments:

Christine said...

Fabulous!

Christine said...

Fabulous!!

Unknown said...

What an awesome job at recreating a gem!!!! That is gorgeous. I would definitely buy that to wear!

Scribbler said...

Wow, this is a blast from the past! I used to wear these! Now I wish I had saved some of them.

Scribbler

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I love the way you gave this dress a fresh look by updating the bodice. Very lovely!

Gigi Murfitt said...

I am so impressed Violet. I love it!

Kathleen Ellis said...

Oh, Violet...this is beautiful! I love your update! I used to wear Gunne Sax dresses in the 70's...no surprise there, I'm sure! I loved them...still do, but don't wear them!
I do have Jessica McClintock's (designer of Gunne Sax) book Simply Romantic Decorating...it is beautiful!

Unfortunately my laundry area is in my unfinished basement and it is one of the few areas of my home that isn't nearly as beautiful as I'd like...but...one of these days...!
Have a fabulous week!
;-D

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

WOW!!! You are one very talented lady. I would never have guessed that the two dresses are/were the same one. Both are very beautiful, but the newer version is amazing. I would wear that!
Patricia :o)

The Bloom Girls said...

Violet,

Your dress transformation is absolutely beautiful! I had a Gunne Sax dress in the 70's that looked very similar to your original. Wish I had it now, I'd send it to you for a little nip/tuck!

Have a wonderful week!
Nola
Nashville, TN

Mystical Gypsy said...

So pretty! Love how you photographed it, too. From the picture, it looks like you could take the lace from the bodice and trim a ring bearer pillow.

On a different subject - we had a short conversation about Facebook a few days ago. You could use it to let people know when you have a new painting for sale or a new post on your blog. Just a thought. I still don't have enough reason to start one.

Mary Smith said...

Wow! I LOVE how you altered that dress!!!

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!

Lynn

pam said...

70's for sure...I think I recognize it. You did a beautiful job of transforming it.

Elaine Power said...

oh Violet. I havent looked at your blog for soooo long been to wrapped up in my own thing, I am so glad I stopped by, what a lovley dress, you have altered it beautifully, its absolutly stunning, I would love to own that dress hang onto it !!!

Kathleen Ellis said...

Hi Violet!
Oooohhh, this dress still takes my breath away! I just LOVE it!

Thanks for stopping by...Yes, I agree you should have taken a picture of you at lunch at the taco place...hee, hee!

I'll be in touch soon.
Have a happy weekend!
;-D

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Very prettttttttyyyy! I love the alterations! It looks alot like my wedding dress before you removed the lace on the bodice. Afterall, I was married at the time when Gunne Sax were popular.
I owned a few, too!

xx
becky