DIY in a galaxy far, far away...

I'm exhausted now, but earlier I had some extra get-up-and-go and decided to play with an orphaned LBD in the donate pile. It's a thick knit from Target that I got for a buck at the swap meet - never really liked the high neckline combined with loose mod shape on me, since it was hard to wear a jacket.

Anyway, here it is now, all spaced out. The pic actually looks a little better than it does IRL, but it was a fun project. I don't know if I'll ever actually wear it out, but I've spent time in worse ways. Maybe it will be a band outfit. :)

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23 Comments

  • Girl X replied 12 years ago

    That's awesome. You MUST wear this dress - even if it's just to show it off to us YLF'ers.

  • Ana replied 12 years ago

    Wow! That looks amazing, Rae! How cool. How did you do that?

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Wow!!! That looks so cool! You must explain how you did it! And please wear it for us!

  • AJ replied 12 years ago

    I am so super impressed, Rae!! Please wear this soon!!

    I'm also impressed that even though you had the cardboard, you were able to keep your carpet paint free. I don't trust myself. : )

  • Marley replied 12 years ago

    This looks so cool! You've got to model it for us Rae - AND tell us how you did this!

  • lyn* replied 12 years ago

    Whoa! It's outta this world ;)

  • Kate replied 12 years ago

    Wow! Model it for us, Rae.

  • Mander replied 12 years ago

    That looks way cool! It would be perfect to wear to a rock concert or out to the bar, IMHO. Dark enough that the imperfections won't be noticed, but definitely very cool!

  • modgrl replied 12 years ago

    Sweet!! It looks beautiful. You are so creative!! How did you do it?

  • Transcona Shannon replied 12 years ago

    This is AMAZING Rae! It will look fab on you. I can see it with your black military jacket and new lace up boots! You are obviously super creative and talented - you and Nicole could start your own business DIY'ing clothes!

  • chewyspaghetti replied 12 years ago

    That looks great- how fun!

  • Angie replied 12 years ago

    You are clever :)

    Lets see it on!

  • rute replied 12 years ago

    WOW! This pattern is so in right now and and your work on this dress is perfect!

  • replied 12 years ago

    A true artiste at work! You are really talented. I'm serious! It does not look home-made in that *gramma put some puffy paint on a sweatshirt* kind of way. Since it turned out so well maybe you could try this some a piece of clothing that's a little more dear to you. Kudos!

  • Amy replied 12 years ago

    Too cool! I want to see you model it!

  • Jem replied 12 years ago

    You did a great job, rae! I hope we get to see it on you! :-)

  • HelenInCanada replied 12 years ago

    WOW! Love it. Must hear about the artiste's "process"...please!

  • Diana replied 12 years ago

    Super cool! Please post a tutorial!

  • Heather replied 12 years ago

    Do you need my address to send this to me?

    WOW.

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    *beams*

    Thank you for the enthusiasm! Wowee!

    I still have to finish the back of the dress, but I will model it for a yay/nay vote for sure. I have a slight worry that the colors won't be bright enough and might wash me out...

    Claire, the gramma's-puffy-paint-sweatshirt effect was my EXACT worry!

    I am preparing a more detailed how-to for my blog, but the basic steps are these:

    - thin out very dark purple paint and daub on with sponge to create a low-contrast "sketch" of the galaxy swirls.

    - using a wide brush, lightly brush on the darkest nebula color (mine was dark blue), following the swirl of the pattern horizontally. Blend *furiously* using a long, heavy, vertical stroke. Continue blending so that the "edges" of the paint stroke totally disappear into the weave of the fabric.

    - repeat above step using the brightest nebula color (mine was orange), following the darker part of the swirl closely and overlapping slightly. More furious blending, blending, blending!

    - repeat above step using your intermediary color, which should be a color between your other two on the color wheel (mine was lime green). Blend this color between the other two colors to enhance the gradient effect.

    - Dot on a few stars. When you think you could add a couple more stars, STOP.

    Please let me know if any of that is unclear, and I will try to amend when I do a full-out post. :)

  • Sveta replied 12 years ago

    Rae, you are a genius! I hope you wear it because it looks awesome in the picture.
    I think a video of this process on your blog would be very helpful if somebody wants to attempt this.

  • annagybe replied 12 years ago

    You did well, young one.

  • MNsara replied 12 years ago

    How often do you see 'nebula' and 'blending furiously' together in the same sentence ;-)

    I'm super impressed and am looking forward to your modeling the finished project!

    And if it's just for fun, you could consider restyling the neckline to your liking. You could go for a few raw edges (neck, armholes, hem) to make it look purposeful. . .

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