Before & After: Smock to Maternity Shirt

25 Comments

Back in November at the Thrift-A-Thon, I found a fabulous handmade dress (that I neglected to share) for $2. It’s super sweet, like cavities all over sweet. I fell in love with the miniature flocked red polka dots, the hand-smocked yoke and the puffy, uber girly sleeves, but I wasn’t a fan of the length. Nope. It’s too short for me to wear alone as a dress, but too long to pass as a shirt. In 20 minutes I remedied the situation & spent virtually nothing on the update.

Here’s the before:

See how huge it makes me look? Not flattering in the least. Of course, this smock wasn’t likely made for a pregnant woman. My best guess is that a sweet mother made it for her 12 year old daughter way back when metal-toothed zippers were what you could buy at the fabric store, not just the cool thing to use.

Here’s the after:

I trimmed about 4 inches off the bottom, hemmed it & rouched the sides for a more flattering fit. I used the same technique here as I did in my sweetheart ballet tee tutorial. Fortunately the fix was incredibly easy and took hardly any time. I like how it makes my growing bump look when belted. I imagine if belted at the true waist, this top would look great even without a baby bump. We’ll just have to see. Less than 6 more weeks left to go!

Visit my fashion section to see the whole outfit.

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    1. Kelly says:

      so cute! you’re such a whiz with the sewing machine.

    2. Marlynn says:

      Super cute! I have pregnancy fashion envy. I looked nowhere near as cute with my second pregnancy! :)

    3. Bellesme says:

      It looks soo good! I see what you mean, the first pictures made you look bloated.
      Bellesme

    4. megan v says:

      Really cute! Nice job with it. It works so well on you!!

    5. Nicia says:

      I really like this one! Super cute.

    6. Emily says:

      That shirt is almost as cute as you and your pregnant belly. Love what you did with it and LOVE the polka dots!

    7. Shaela says:

      this is adorable!! and sorry honey… you don’t look huge, not even pregnant, hahaha ;)

    8. Heather says:

      love! i am so impressed with how quickly your turned the frock into a way cute maternity top … and you’ll have to post about it again once you have the babe so we can see it without the baby bump too!

    9. Erin says:

      super-duper cute! i love the fabric and you look so great! i can’t believe that you have less than 6 weeks left. i’ve technically got two but I expect to go late.

    10. Heather C. says:

      You are such a cute pregnant woman! I still need to try the rouching on a shirt, I’m kind of nervous though. Cross your fingers for me that I don’t totally ruin my shirt. Only 6 more week!? Wahoo! Good luck and try not to be in labor for 38 hours like someone I know :)

    11. amanda says:

      *so* impressive… you have such a talent for seeing potential in thrifted stuff!

    12. Absolutely adorable.
      I will have you know that I was finally reunited with an H&M and have been wearing my 10$ jeggings to death. I also scored a bunch of tunic tops. HOLLA!!

      So happy to always find outfit inspiration here:D
      Cheers to a new year!

    13. so cute! great work. and i like your blue nail polish. :)

    14. Look how cute & preggers you are!! I love it!!

    15. Heidi says:

      Wow, what a simple fix and it looks fabulous!

    16. CaliKatrina says:

      This is adorable! I need to do this with some of my shirts! Love your blog. Happy New Year! And new baby soon!

    17. Mindy says:

      Don’t wear with the belt!

    18. Dora B. says:

      I think the “after” is super adorable, I’m just not sure about the color of the belt. It seems really harsh in contrast to the soft pink. Maybe a light grey, or a softer brown would complete the look.

      But I really love the look, and even though I’m not pregnant, I really want to try this look :D

    19. Kersey says:

      if you can’t say anything nice, don’t comment. Mellissa, you look adorable, and I LOVE the belted belly look!

    20. Madeline says:

      Yeah, Mindy. If you don’t have anything nice to say, keep your trap shut.

      Melissa, I love love love this refashion. You have such a vision when you thrift. Keep it up!

    21. linda says:

      it looks great with or without the belt. You’ve got two outfits in one. Take your pick. You’re beautiful either way.

    22. liz says:

      you could not be any cuter!!!

    23. meredith says:

      how are you soo tiny everywhere with 6 just weeks to go??!
      pregnancy was made for people like you. i was HUGE everywhere. so
      not looking forward to doing it again anytime soon. oh yeah, love
      the shirt and … you make me sick;) haha!

    24. […] fairly old). Melissa’s amazing refashions have been really inspiring me lately (here and here), so I’m gonna pretend I’m cool like her and try […]

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