Yesterday, at my favorite German Fabric store, I bought 5 meters of this lovely white fabric…
all because a few months ago, I fell in love with this picture…
So I decided I’m going to try to take this bridesmaid dress from my sister’s wedding…
and attempt to gather the bodice and the skirt just a little…
and maybe add a little trim along the neckline after I remove the straps…
Wish me luck!
Have you ever given an old formal gown a makeover?
And for my Military Spouses – where do you usually buy your ball gowns for formal events?
I’m not the only one getting creative for a military ball! Check out Mrs Mama Hen’s dress too!
January 28, 2012 at 8:03 am
good luck. I love it. we haven’t attended one. I would most likely just buy.
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January 28, 2012 at 8:10 am
What a creative idea. I just always wear the same dress. I got lucky last year when I was pregnant and got one for $10 at Forever21. I think the one I normally wear came from Penny’s though. I am a simplistic kinda gal.
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January 28, 2012 at 8:13 am
I hope you post step by step! I would love to see it all!
January 28, 2012 at 8:56 am
I hope you post a step by step also! I am also a military wife. I usually shop for my dresses at Group USA. I just love their dresses and since it’s about an hour away I don’t really have to worry about people wearing the same dress as me.
I would like to try my luck with putting a dress together but I am not that crafty with my hands.
Good luck and can’t wait to see the finished product!
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January 28, 2012 at 10:31 am
I love it!! I make jewelry with stones and other material, but I find the materials online. that goood!!! proyect!! Go girl!!
January 28, 2012 at 12:58 pm
In the past I’ve shopped at little boutique sales, and that way I’m sure to be wearing something different. I haven’t been to a ball in forever, so the thought of it just made me break out into hives. Yikes.
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January 28, 2012 at 1:39 pm
dying to see how it goes, oh this sounds AWESOME
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January 28, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Awesome dress……good luck with the makeover. please show a photo when you are done.
January 28, 2012 at 2:46 pm
I haven’t found my dress yet
but I have a blog post about where to avoid buying one. Apparently there are some shady places out there!
http://hborstad.blogspot.com/2012/01/dress-shopping-from-my-recliner.html
January 28, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Wow it is beautiful. Good Luck Ann. Can’t wait to see the result.
January 28, 2012 at 3:25 pm
I love your idea of remaking an old gown into one worthy of a military ball! I wish I had your sewing skills, because I would certainly try it!
Best of luck as you update your beautiful dress, and have a lovely time at the dance!
Kristina
January 28, 2012 at 4:06 pm
I was just lamenting the fact that I have no clue where to find a gigantic dress to wear to our ball because I have a severe case of PREGNANCY. I wish I could sew because that might eliminate this problem altogether! Can’t wait to see what you come up with- such a great idea. And if you know of any place that sells formal maternity gowns on the cheap, let me know!
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January 28, 2012 at 5:50 pm
I made my gown for the last ball TOO because I was 7 months pregnant! I’ll try to find the link and or pictures from it!
January 28, 2012 at 4:31 pm
What a great idea! The inspiration dress is beautiful. Looks like you’ve got a great plan to remake your bridesmaid dress. Best of Luck!
January 28, 2012 at 4:35 pm
I have avoided attending one, mostly because I have no idea where to get a gown! I also don’t like dressing up. I am sure I will need to go to one as some point… thankful for all these suggestions. Are the dresses usually long at the military balls?
January 28, 2012 at 8:11 pm
I would like to know the answer about length, too…
January 28, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Oh, and I think your gown is going to be gorgeous!!!!! I can’t wait to see what you create
January 28, 2012 at 5:26 pm
I love the way it looks laid out! I’ve always wanted to go to a military ball but my husband doesn’t want to! I just like the idea of dressing up all fancy like High School Homecoming and taking pictures and getting out of the house for a night! I usually got my high school gown at a thrift store and I love the idea of fixing them up! Can’t wait to see what it will look like when finished!
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January 28, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Good luck! I can’t wait to see the finished product. I’m sure it will be beautiful.
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January 28, 2012 at 6:13 pm
That’s gorgeous!! It’s going to be awesome.
I’d love to know where people go to buy gowns…I haven’t been to a military ball yet, but having married a Soldier 8 months ago, I know it’s bound to happen sooner or later! I still have a couple of formal dresses from college, so maybe one of those would work, but ahhh! I just don’t know. What makes a dress good for a military ball? Mine are both floor length and not scandalous, so I’ve got that part down!
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January 28, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Nice! My first ball gown, I ordered from “AFormalChoice.com” It is a beautiful garnet red gown, very intricate. I have worn it to two balls.
But now, I am actually making my ball gown. We have a ball next weekend. I have most of the dress done, but I have to go on a scavenger hunt around our small town and try to find some boning for the midriff of the bodice. I think I may have a lead as to where I can find some. I have 6 days left!!!
Once I have the boning, I can probably have the dress completed in about 90 minutes. If I can’t find any, I’m going to have to get creative!
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January 28, 2012 at 7:53 pm
My last ball gown was for the Seabee Ball in 2008, at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA. At first I bought a really pretty formal dress from Davids bridal, but when it came in It was too big and I didn’t have enough time to get it altered. So I went to Macy’s and found a gorgeous red chiffon dress on the clearance rack. It is by far my favorite ball gown. The first dress I bought for the Navy Ball in Hawaii, came from White House Black Market. It was Champagne colored with a cream lace overlay. The boning broke through the top half way through and I have to stitch it up in the bathroom so I could keep dancing lol.
January 28, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I can’t wait to see the results!! I’ve bought my dresses at Dillards.
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January 29, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Good luck! I’ve never done any sewing that advanced, I’m still in the early stages. And despite being a milspouse for just under 3 years, I’ve never gone to a ball! My husband is not the fancy/dancing/small talk type. Lol.
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January 30, 2012 at 4:06 am
I can’t sew so that would not be an option for me
But best of luck to you. You have to get a picture in the finished project 
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January 30, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Awesome good luck!
January 30, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Love it!!! It’s going to look so great once you’re finished with it! Good luck!
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February 5, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Hi!
Im new to Germany and will be attending my first Military Ball. I am excited to attend but dont know where to shop for a dress. I dont know anyone here other then my husband wanted to know if you had any ideas on where to shop. Im currently living in Baumholder.
Any help would be appreciated
Thnx