Home » How to Transform a Mexican Embroidered Dress into a Top

How to Transform a Mexican Embroidered Dress into a Top

I bought a Mexican embroidered dress like this in Mexico a couple of years ago, vowing to lose weight so I could wear it in its full glory. However, earlier this month I tried it on and my bootie would not compromise. Instead of hanging the garment back in the closet, I decided to make it work on my own terms!

 

 

I set the dress out on a flat surface and cut four-inches off the bottom. I cut that much because I wanted to turn the dress into a blouse with a hem. I cut about 1″ below the embroidered design.

 
 

Next, I cut up the side seams, about 12-14″ from the bottom, and then I hemmed and pressed all the raw edges on the slits, as well as the bottom.This made the bottom have two flaps to give my more breathing room (until I lose weight!).

 

Here is my new blouse that I made from a dress that didn’t fit! I’m ready to by more Mexican embroidered dresses and alter them (not just for me but for chicas of all sizes!).

The above photo is an earlier version of an altered Mexican embroidered dress that I altered for my book, Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter. 
I cut above the waist design and added a black cotton/lycra bodice (yes, cut off from another shirt) and sewed ribbon around the seam. This made it more form fitting and flattering because of the curve-hugging bottom portion!

Drastic measures to clean my art studio…cyber craft supply sale!

A week in photos: Classes Coffee Bean Ice Cubes

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15 thoughts on “How to Transform a Mexican Embroidered Dress into a Top”

  1. I’ve always wanted a top just like this one but its such an issue to find one in my size. Like yours, my booty often needs room to breathe! I think this top came out fab. Sooo cute and so simple. I will give it a try!

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  2. Hello, Kathy!
    Very pretty and much better on you than in your closet! You might also use the part you cut off the bottom to make vertical side panels from the hem to the end of the sleeve – did this with a woven fabric to accommodate my curvier self and shorten a too-long shirt. Another trick might be to use side panels of black t-shirt knit to give you some stretch…
    Terry

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  3. This is great – I have a couple of these dresses in my closet from when I was a kid. The embroidery is so beautiful that I didn’t want to throw them out. But SHIRTS, of course! This is going to give them a whole new life 🙂 Thanks so much!

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  4. Heart this! I have a couple of old dresses well they were turned into batas because of wear…you just gave me inspiration to refashion them. Gracias.

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  5. Oh geez…now Im going to need spend all day on Ebay finding my long lost Mexican dress! I have wanted one for years but could never find a fun one to fit over my rump. At one point I attempted to recreate one in puffy paint. It was all kinds of ugly.

    Little did I know all I needed was a sewing machine. Thanks for the inspiration!!!

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  6. Awesome Kathy!! you have a good creative mind & you have showed it with this top. You also gave me an idea to refashioned the unused dresses for myself. I will try my best to create something new for me. Again thanks Cathy for your tips.

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  7. Great ideas altering those dresses. I have a small one for my daughter and she still fits in it but she’s getting too tall for it. I’m going to make it into a top today. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  8. These dresses are not flattering and have no “give” over the curvy Latina booty! I can’t wait to transform my dress! Gracias Chica!

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