With prom season coming up, it was time for me to channel my inner Molly Ringwald and make a prom dress out of a vintage pink dress.
For details on how you can win this dress, instructions on how I made it, and to see the surprising “before” picture of the original dress, keep reading!
This dress started out as a vintage bridesmaid dress! Fortunately, with some sewing and a few additions, I think it had quite the cute evolution.
If you’re a beginner at sewing, you’ll probably need some help with this project. I’m lucky enough to have a grandma who is a seamstress, so I had plenty of help!
Even if you don’t have the sewing skills to make a dress like this, you could actually win this dress and ModCloth accessories for your prom! Check out this post for full details on how to win!
Here are the instructions for turning a long vintage dress into a tiered skirt for another dress:
1. Decide the length you want your skirt to be by measuring from your waist down or measuring a skirt you have.
2. Using your measurement, plus adding an extra inch for the seam allowance, cut around the bottom of the dress. (Note: If you leave the existing hem, you save yourself a step.)
3. Cut the second shorter layer half the length of the longer layer, only this time you need to add three inches to your measurement (One inch for the seam allowance and two for the hem.)
4. Measure your waist, and cut a strip of the fabric four inches wide by the length of your waist size plus two inches. Fold and iron a half inch seam allowance along the two length sides. Then fold in half turning it inside-out. Sew the two short ends, then turn right side out.
5. Gather the two tiers to the length of your waist band.
6. Insert both layers into the band and top stitch in place.
7. Hand stitch a strong hook and eye fastener on the ends of the waist band.
8. Then attach it to any top you like, or use it as a regular skirt!
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. And if you take a picture of your finished project, please send it to me at diy@modcloth.com. I’d love to see your projects and share them with other blog readers!
5 loves 
Ah, this is SO pretty Liz!
I love this DIY – esp for when you spot those dresses you love the fabric/pattern of, but couldn’t pull off the full length skirt/shoulder pads.
This looks so great! Is someone going to wear it to prom?!!?! That’d be awesome!
this dress is so beautiful! I really wish I could sew!
You could sell hundreds of these. Is it for sale? I wish I could sew. Truly Pretty in Pink!
This is a really gorgeous dress.
wow i wish i was in high school again so i can go to prom!! I would so rock that dress. I made my senior prom dress!!! i loved it! still have it.
this is a gorgeous dress!
how can i enter to win??
im in high school and it would be a dream come true to wear this beautiful dress.
This is beautiful!
Hopefully I’ll remember to enter!
This is beautiful! good job!
I would easily wear this.
I love it!
This dress is amazing! You truly are talented. I love it!
OMG I want this dress. AMAZING!!!
I scrolled down, looked at the dress and said, “Wow.” Amazing. I like the before too though, haha. This from the girl who just eagerly watched Little Dorritt on PBS.
need it. want it. gotta have it.
Great job Liz, this dress is gorgeous!
This dress has personality without giving up form or function! How scintillating is the contrast between the flowermotif and burnt orange shell! BRAVO! PLEASE tell me how I can enter to win!!! Thank you :)
so how do you enter the contest?
Thanks so much for the great feedback everyone! If you want to enter to win this dress and ModCloth accessories, check out this blog post: http://blog.modcloth.com/2009-04-13-modcloth-wants-to-give-you-the-perfect-prom
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Oh Wow! Its amazing how you can turn one thing into another. Its really cute.
Fabulous job Liz!
~Mk
Not a fan of floral prints, personally, but you did a great job putting it together. It adds a lot of personality to the dress. :)
So clever! This is the exact DIY I’ve been looking for to guide me on my next project, too! Definitely taking another trip to the thrift-store; I must at least attempt making this!
I hope I win this contest, but even if I don’t, I can appreciate an amazing dress when I see one! You’re so talented!
this is great!
Oh MY GOD!! This is truly inspiring!
So darling and so appropriate for a prom .. .love all the three combos and Liz, continue posting more of your creative ideas … you are a true stylist !!!!
I love it!! GO U! see there is beauty in everything u just have to make it your own and did it gurl!
Dream Prom Date: Jason Schwartzman
Prom Theme: Hold Back Time
Song to Dance to: Stranger on the Shore- Mr. Acker Bilk
5Modcloth accessories:
1)Ada Lovelace Locket
http://www.modcloth.com/store/Womens/Accessories/Necklaces/Ada+Lovelace+Locket
2) Soaring Swallow Ring
http://www.modcloth.com/store/Womens/Accessories/Earrings+and+Rings/Soaring+Swallow+Ring
3) White Poise Gloves
http://www.modcloth.com/store//ModCloth/PinUpandBombshell/White+Poise+Gloves
4) Mardi Gras Earrings
http://www.modcloth.com/store/Womens/Accessories/Earrings+and+Rings/Mardi+Gras+Earrings
5) Eyedust in Enchant
http://www.modcloth.com/store/Womens/Accessories/Cosmetics/Eyedust+in+Enchant
is it forsale?
I love it! I would definitly buy it,
its beautiful.
Oh my gosh, I want this dress SO bad… Is there really a contest to win it? I’ll do whatever it takes! :)
Awesome! Wanna try THIS at home. Shame about my sewing skills however. Better to use the sewing machine!
This is so adorable that I absolutely had to go get the materials to make one like it. :) My gramma’s gonna help me as well but she said she needs a pattern to do it. Can you help?
i am in love with a dress <3