Wednesday 16 May 2012

May 31 Day Blogger's Challenge: Day 16- A Customized Item

A Customized Item

Hello, my name's Louise, and I have absolutely zero customizing skill. (Pauses for a chorus of "Hi, Louise"...)

I'm a creative kind of girl, but I can't use a needle and thread to save my life, and wouldn't know where to start with fabric paints, glue-guns, fabric-dyeing, or jewellery making. Probably as I've never tried. I can just about sew on buttons, but any alterations or repairs are usually landed on my Mum who's a whizz with a sewing machine. You may remember seeing the ASOS Aztec dress she shortened dramatically for me not so long ago...


I thought I was going to have to show you the Aztec dress again for this challenge, but then I remembered this Red Herring shirt dress.

I needed to wear something red for a memorial service a few years ago, which I was very kindly invited to at the last minute. I didn't have any red clothes in my wardrobe at the time, and didn't have enough pennies to buy something new. So, I went to a local haberdashery and bought some red polka dot buttons!  I took the black square buttons off, and sewed these red ones in their place. Evidently, I didn't do a great job as one's fallen off, but along with a red corsage and sparkly red ballet pumps, it did the job for the evening. I really must sew the button back on!


I've had this dress for several years now, and it was always a favourite of mine to wear. It was one of the first dresses I bought for myself when I started to find more confidence in myself. It's lost it's shape over the years, but it still has some life to it. I love the subtle hounds-tooth print, and the green belt it came with, and as it's sheer, always wear it over leggings and a basic tee/vest.

♥ Dress: Red Herring at Debenhams
♥ Fabric Belt: Came with the dress
♥ Vest Top (underneath): Dorothy Perkins
♥ Leggings: New Look
♥ Buttons: Local Haberdashery

What have you customized? Who's going to put me to shame?


P.S. The asymmetric dress I ordered came today, and I may or may not have ordered two flamingo print dresses on my store card...
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6 comments

  1. can't wait to see your new dresses! i really like the idea of changing the buttons on something, it makes it your own with very little effort, nice one! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Hannah- sneak peek above! It's such an easy way to change something and make it more personal. Plus it can make a basic piece look more expensive if you get some amazing buttons! xx

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  2. love the polka dot buttons i love going into shops and going through button boxes xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I need to start doing it more. I love buttons! xx

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  3. I wouldn't have even thought of changing buttons on something, such a simple yet effective idea. Looks great!

    x

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    Replies
    1. It really is a simple way to update and change something. Also a good idea if you've lost multiple buttons on something instead of just chucking it out!

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