I bought a vintage dress off of a sale rack. I liked the bright colors, bell sleeves, and sweetheart neckline. It had a small barely noticeable stain. I sprayed it with stain remover. Washed it. No change. I colored over tiny stain with a sharpie thinking it would blend in with the large motif. Nah. Nope. Bad idea. I washed it and ended up with TWO stains on my $5 vintage dress.
![dress-to-tunic dress to tunic](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4c7BrNNLr8k/V7zuMcn5SKI/AAAAAAAEEEI/YhWz3fTkHfA6jpYB_NqQNS-5jgP43sCdACLcB/s1600/dress-to-tunic-fashion-diy.png)
It also had some loose stitching on a back dart and it was a little tight. I was able to move in it but given the other issues I decided to proceed with fashion surgery and turn it into a tunic.
I pretty much altered the dress the same way I did the too small one from last year. In addition to adding slits, I cut some length to chop off the stain too.
DIY Dress to Tunic
Supplies Needed:
old dress
matching thread
scissors
seam ripper
sewing machine or liquid stitch
Instructions:
![refashion-dress-to-top refashion dress into a tunic top](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--VbxdrqYmv0/V7ziC0dEgnI/AAAAAAAEEDc/RuBEf3tW35kC3uULBs89A8SpMeHotYCTQCLcB/s1600/measure-length.png)
Measure and mark where you want the tunic length to fall. Leave an inch or two more for a hem.
![dress-refashion dress refashion](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVoNZKMQaB0/V7zh4SZrXdI/AAAAAAAEEDU/C5_kAcjFE1cFD_pI_tnSc8mOhBMUF7uMACLcB/s1600/cut-length.png)
Cut off the excess by making a snip at the side seam and then cutting around following your markings.
![dress-to-tunic-diy dress to tunic diy](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--r1n8RTYxEk/V7ziQrzv_4I/AAAAAAAEEDw/PkAjECVrjlQ23dXILXni5r2gmnhMveadwCLcB/s1600/rip-seam.png)
Open the side seams with the seam ripper to desired length. I tried the top on and carefully picked the stitching on one side until it was where I wanted then used that length for the other side.
![too-small-dress altering a too small dress](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKgw_ML_eKY/V7ziRgQ22dI/AAAAAAAEED0/kQuq7g9PaBgk7okySawYh1S1JlDOiLikQCLcB/s1600/topstitch-sides.png)
Fold the hem allowance over and sew in place. Topstitch the side slits if you're feeling extra fancy.
![alter-too-small-dress alter a too small dress](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gkOdMkBksZ8/V7ziGTm-AMI/AAAAAAAEEDk/ejKM-C-hnJgtcstrB3brPKCuLPor7fkEQCLcB/s1600/open-darts.png)
All done and then I decided to remove the back darts for extra comfort. I picked them open with my seam ripper then ironed out the creases. Opening darts are great when you need a little extra space!
old dress
matching thread
scissors
seam ripper
sewing machine or liquid stitch
Instructions:
![refashion-dress-to-top refashion dress into a tunic top](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--VbxdrqYmv0/V7ziC0dEgnI/AAAAAAAEEDc/RuBEf3tW35kC3uULBs89A8SpMeHotYCTQCLcB/s1600/measure-length.png)
Measure and mark where you want the tunic length to fall. Leave an inch or two more for a hem.
![dress-refashion dress refashion](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVoNZKMQaB0/V7zh4SZrXdI/AAAAAAAEEDU/C5_kAcjFE1cFD_pI_tnSc8mOhBMUF7uMACLcB/s1600/cut-length.png)
Cut off the excess by making a snip at the side seam and then cutting around following your markings.
![dress-to-tunic-diy dress to tunic diy](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--r1n8RTYxEk/V7ziQrzv_4I/AAAAAAAEEDw/PkAjECVrjlQ23dXILXni5r2gmnhMveadwCLcB/s1600/rip-seam.png)
Open the side seams with the seam ripper to desired length. I tried the top on and carefully picked the stitching on one side until it was where I wanted then used that length for the other side.
![too-small-dress altering a too small dress](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKgw_ML_eKY/V7ziRgQ22dI/AAAAAAAEED0/kQuq7g9PaBgk7okySawYh1S1JlDOiLikQCLcB/s1600/topstitch-sides.png)
Fold the hem allowance over and sew in place. Topstitch the side slits if you're feeling extra fancy.
![alter-too-small-dress alter a too small dress](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gkOdMkBksZ8/V7ziGTm-AMI/AAAAAAAEEDk/ejKM-C-hnJgtcstrB3brPKCuLPor7fkEQCLcB/s1600/open-darts.png)
All done and then I decided to remove the back darts for extra comfort. I picked them open with my seam ripper then ironed out the creases. Opening darts are great when you need a little extra space!
I do not like cutting up true vintage. I like the "as-is" look of it. I wouldn't have worn it otherwise though and I'm glad I made the choice to cut. All of the great details are on top anyway.
Do you alter vintage?
The Details
vintage earrings - thrift store
earrings - gift
ring - Henri Bendel
vintage tunic - diy
Eddie Bower jeans (to shorts) - thrift store
Seychelles wedge sandals - Amazon
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