Prom Mom is Angela Lehmann. She went to prom in 1989 and her daughter is Lexie. Lexie is a junior at Wellesley High School in Wellesley, MA.
Angela’s original dress just screams Dynasty…with the purple velvet dress embellished with football-shoulder-pad-like purple shoulder ruffles and a chest strapping cummerbund… Can’t you just see Joan Collins running around in this purple number?
The over-sized satin growths on the shoulders might have been cool then but they are NOT anymore! Side note, I will use them later in the project so Angela can always remember her beloved dress
First I removed the cummerbund sash from the chest area and ruffles not the shoulders. It’s super easy when you use, my favorite tool, A SEAM RIPPER! Once everything was removed I found was a perfect, fitted, gorgeous dress. From here is was easy to up-cycle…
Since the 2015 prom gown trend is long sleek I kept the original bodice, use one of the pieces I removed to make it a halter top. The seam from the original velvet bodice to the taffetta material not the chest was clear to see but.. easy to cover with crystal gem embellishments.
To make it floor length, I bought 3 yards of tulle and 3 yards of organza to create a fish-tail design for the skirt. This dress is SO on trend for 2015!
Remember the big shoulder ruffles? Well, I was able to reuse the materials to create these fancy throw pillows! Even adding a homemade pillow a high style, pricey couch or bedroom gives the room a little touch of nostalgia; it becomes the prize piece of the room because you make it.
Up-cycling tip: The material and embellishments on these old dresses is a treasure to use because it would cost you a fortune if you were to buy it at the fabric store.
