Ribbons

Generally it's a good idea to buy dresses that fit. The problem is most dresses that fit my waist do not fit my bust and going up two or three dress sizes often looks ridiculous. This is a quick fix I used on one dress.

Dress - charity shop

You need:
Ribbon - I bought about 2m but the amount you use depends on you.
Dress that fits your waist, zip at the side.
Scissors
Needle and thread
Pins
Clear nail varnish

1) Measure down the centre of the back of the dress and draw a line. Cut down to 1.5cm above the waist. Any further and you risk fraying the waist after stitching.

2) Fold the raw edges inwards and carefully hand sew each edge closed. You may want to reinforce the bottom of the slit with careful stitches. For dresses that are only one layer of fabric fold over the edge twice by approximately 4mm (as small a hem as you can make it) and over sew inwards so the raw edge is enclosed.

3) Try the dress on. It should now fit except with the back gaping in a V shape. Take note of approximately how much it gapes. Take it off and pin a length of ribbon across the top of the back to hold the two edges together. Do this at regular intervals down the gap.

4) When you are happy the ribbons are neither too tight or too loose - they should lie flat on your back - you can sew lengths of ribbon across the V gap, keeping the stitches on the inside of the dress. I doubled over the ribbon to make the lengths stronger and left the extra length dangling in the centre of the back of the dress so they could be tied as bows.

5) Stop ribbon edges from fraying by placing the cut edge against a nail varnish brush. Do not attempt to paint the edge with the nail varnish directly because this is more likely to result in splodges.

In other news, I am thinking of getting my ears pierced. I have these gorgeous cat earrings I would love to be able to wear.

Key brooch - H&M, Cat earrings & brooch - ebay, Cameo necklace - charity shop,
Magnifying glass necklace - Accessorize & selfmade