Denim Disaster Refashion!

I have to say, I think this is my favorite refashion I have ever done.  The original dress was just so..... bad.  I think the look they were originally going for was 'mechanic cowgirl chic', but no worries because it only made me want to rescue this dress even more.

Here is the original.  

Yes, you're seeing it clearly.  A dropped waist, extreme pleats, baggy sleeves, outdated collar, and a matching sash to boot!

Here's what I did:

1. Got rid of that sash!
2. Trim the sleeves.  I trimmed the sleeves to where the sleeves seam was. I finished the edge and this gave me a nice cap sleeve.
3. Cut the dress in half (AHH!). I wanted to move the waistline up, so I had to cut a few inches below where I wanted the new waistline to be.  Then I matched up the circumference with the skirt and sewed away, making sure the seams and pockets were all lined up.
4. Got rid of the collar.  I unpicked the collar seam, removed the collar, and sewed it back up to create a mandarin collar. 
5. Shortened the skirt.  Measured about 4" up from the bottom, trimmed, and sewed away.
6. Tailored the bust and waist areas.  It didn't fit quite right yet, so I took in the side seams a little to create a more flattering fit.
7. Added a belt! 

Here is the finished product!

A bit of an improvement, huh?