A matching midriff top and skirt combo have been on my wish list for some time, a good year in fact. I always kind of knew it might be possible to make a set myself out of a simple dress, but could never find the right print or pattern in my local thrift store. Recently I was there on a mission to find something completely different entirely and stumbled upon a not so cute fitted dress with a windowpane pattern (aka oversized checks), and knew what I wanted to do with it. It was a very simple cut and wasn’t flattering at all as a dress but somehow worked as a two piece. Hurrah!
Wearing: Â DIY midriff top and skirt combo, Tony Bianco heels, J Crew bag, Coach watch
You need:
- a fitted dress
- scissors
- needle and thread
- a metal open end zip
- thread
- pins
How to:
1. First thing to do is to lay the dress on its front and unzip it.
2. Measure where you want to cut the dress in half and cut it using sharp scissors. I used the grid print as a guide. Make sure that the zip teeth are further down than where you cut it in half, thus leaving it attached to the skirt part.
3.  Note where the zipper is.
4. I then cut the hem a little so it sat about knee length. Be careful with this because in the next steps you are going to turn the waistband over which will make the skirt shorter anyway.
5. I rolled the hem and secured with pins.
6. I did the same with the waistband.
7. When you get around to the zip you can cut the zip away from the fabric because it won’t roll.
8. I then rolled the hem of the midriff top and secured with pins.
9. To close the back I added an exposed zip over the top of where the old zip was. My mum would probably look at this and think ‘this is so not how I taught her to add a zip’ which would be very true but it was the easiest way and I like the look of the exposed zip (post justification…).
10. I lined up the bottom of the zip with the edge of the hem so that it can be opened completely so you can get in and out of the top.
11. Give the whole outfit a good iron so everything is nice and flat and then start to sew all the hems and edges as well as the zip. Finish off with another good iron and you’re ready to wear it!
And there you go! I was lucky to find such an on trend print in the thrift store, good luck!
Thanks to lovely (and amazingly talented)Â Bridget Fleming for taking the outfit photos – we had such a fun day shooting!
Wow this is an awesome idea! I’ll definitely be trying this!
I looking to cut a mid skirt of mine a bit shorter – would you recommend cutting it in a circle, or just straight.
I also find it difficult to cut in line aswell.
I really enjoy your blog đ
it’s very pretty. Great idea
Love
Ewelina
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
chiclifestyleofewelina.blogspot.com
Cool makeover! *Giudy*
http://www.blogandthecities.wordpress.com
such a great idea! Will hunt for a dress at the thrift shop that I can do this to xo
Your Daily Break
This set is gorgeous and fit you perfectly. You’re an artist!! đ
http://www.emerjadesign.com
so chic!
http://www.styleandshades.blogspot.com
looks great and definitely something i want to try <3
Waaaouh thank you so much it’s absolutely perfect DIY ! thaaaank you đ
Xxx
http://alicebradshow.blogspot.fr/
http://alicebradshow.blogspot.fr/
Love ittttttttttt!!!
This looks amazing ~ I love it!!!!
AMAZING! Such a great/creative idea and a cute outfit!
I love this! It’s really cute and the craftsmanship is amazing!
I love what you done here! Thanks for this i have so many dresses that i can convert into this!
virgosandkisses.blogspot.co.uk
Wow it looks amazing, what a fantastic job!
http://www.beblacknblue.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.beblacknblue.blogspot.co.uk
Wow, I love how much effort you put into your projects.
Keep up the good work!
your ideas are always so great and the result as well đ ! xx
http://www.blondebutterflies.blogspot.be/
Love this such a good idea! xx
Charlotte| LongHairDontCare
Sassy and cute! I’ll have to try that sometime!
-Angelina
Love this! I want to make one too! You picked the perfect dress to do this on!
Lindsey
Thrift and Shout
Wow, love this!
this is such a brilliant brilliant idea! i love how simple ur instructions are and u look amazing in the photos as well. thank you for such inspiring ideas which gives us opportunities to do these projects and feel good about our DIYs đ
Such a cool idea, I guess the key things here lies in the selection of the dress you use, that pattern gives a great minimalist yet original look to the outfit!
http://lazercraft.tumblr.com/
You’re so great at altering thrifted finds. You look amazing in this outfit!
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
Wow, what an amazing transformation! I love the way the “dress” looks like after as a two-piece. I have to try this DIY, too đ
What a great idea, I’m trying this!
Lauren
livinginaboxx
this is amazing, you are so creative!!
This is beautiful! I will have to try!
This looks amazing as a crop top and shirt! Beautiful photos!
I’m giving a way a MAC Lipstick of the competition winners choice on my blog if you would like to enter!
http://abigailalicex.blogspot.com
I love this!! Thanks for sharing the DIY.
Love this! So cute but hot at the same time!
Such a great DIY!
sartorialust.blogspot.com
great idea! so going to try this out
maimichelle.blogspot.com
Lovely idea!!
Wow! I was thinking of doing this to one of my dresses yesterday morning…now I know how! LOVE!
Absolutely love what you have done with the dress! Seriously looks incredible, will definitely be looking out for a dress now to do something similar, love it đ
Really great idea, going to have to find the perfect dress at an op shop to try this on!
http://youngandimpressionablee.blogspot.com.au/
xx
This is awesome!!!
http://imaginarymi.blogspot.com/
Stunning! and yet simple – I’m amazed đ
Cute idea! Such a great way to revive something not-so-cute and this totally matches your style too. Love it.
http://keightlystudio.com
Wow! What an amazing DIY! You look gorgeous.
Rosie x | Every Word Handwritten
Woah! This is amazing! It looks so cool đ I like that pop of colour that your bag added to this look. =)
http://love-your-ego.blogspot.de
This is really good idea and useful for me! I wish I could have a sewing machine;( Please post something we dont need to use it, like accessories!!!! xxx
Love your blog,
liality.com
Awesome idea and you look fantastic!
Can you explain with a bit more detail what you did with the waistband & zipper? I have a skirt I need to “hem” the waistband of – to try to make it sit lower on my hips.
Thanks for the help đ
this is a fab idea!!! love this look đ
I wonder if my mum approves if I do smth like that with one of her deep-inside-the-closet dresses)))))
Looks great – such a cool idea
http://xoxo-annie-xoxo.blogspot.co.uk
xx
really nice “change” of the dress! totally something i would wear!
: ) Anna
a-dash-of-anna.blogspot.co.at
I love this, This is so beautiful and your figure is amazing!
Definitely going to be doing this!
xx
You look stunning in that. I’ll definitely try to do this with one of my old dresses. Thanx for the the idea!
http://www.girlcandress.blogspot.com
This is such a great idea! Love the DIY. I made need to try this out soon. Thank you for sharing!
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Unreal..so amazing! You are amazing.
Such a great idea ! And it looks awesome
Xoxo
http://camilleslifestylediary.blogspot.fr/
I’m speechless!!! This looks beyond amazing love the heels as well. I should definitely do this like now.
http://www.3girls1apple.com
You look very sharp! I really like it, it looks indeed a lot better as a two-piece than as a dress đ
Amazing! I’ve been dying for a matching top and skirt just like this. Love it
http://www.chanelbjork.blogpsot.com
That’s an awesome idea! I’m gonna dig out some old dresses and try that <3
http://www.untamedlittlewolf.com
Would you say this trend is from the 90s or?
I’ve also had this idea in mind and when I seen this post I got so excited.
I love, love, love it!
once again I have to shout: GENIUS!
Girl you are talented. This is incredible and it such a great way to turn an old dress intoo something totally new. Bravo. Following you and look forward to reading your future posts.
xoxo
Ivy
http://www.purrpleivy.com/
So creative! Definitely going to give it a try! x
http://thaliaandt.blogspot.com.au
This is such a great tutorial, very smart!
Awkward Heartâ„
Gosh you’re incredible!! xx
wow…this looks great!
The Fashion Menue
and off I go to my nearest vintage/second hand store. great idea!!
I really like the pattern of this fabric! Thats a good find đ
jennamariia/
Wanted9097.blogspot.com
This is amazing! I love the oversize checker patten. It also love very 60’s mod. Love it.
http://stellarinc.tumblr.com
http://stellarinc.blogspot.com
You are very inspiring! Everything you present is GREAT!
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That’s so pretty! I want to do it to some of my old dresses but I’m afraid they go bad because I can’t really sew… Oh well, I’ll just stick to looking at yours. đ
Genius!! So glad I found this. đ
This is a great DIY. I am in the middle of turning a dress that has being sitting in my cupboard, that I never wear into this set right now… Great blog !!!
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Wow this is gorgeous and you pull it off effortlessly. Your creativity inspires me!
xxx
http://fromnewyrkwithlove.wordpress.com
I love this outfit so much- you have an amazing sense of style! I really want to find something similar. I just don’t know if this would work for me ? as I have a short torso (most of my height is in my legs).
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What is the original dress made out of and where can I get the same one/ something very similar. Been looking for this for ages and so happy I found it!
Love Evie xx
Follow my pinterest @eviesuer (Evie Rose)
where i first found this website.
Genius post, and super helpful!
I’m going to link to this tutorial on my blog if that’s okay đ
Love your blog.
-Stephanie
Love the idea!! This is so awesome and creative. I really love your DIY stuff because I just loooove creating my own stuff, this is just amazing! Keep on doing such great work. Love xx
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How do you stop the zipper clasp on the skirt from coming off the top of the skirt when you zip it up?
I absolutely love this! It seems so easy to recreate, so I am definitely going to try this out! đ
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This is a great looking outfit! The cool thing is it does not look to difficult to make.
I have also been getting some blank apparel from http://www.theadairgroup.com.