Dress Recon: Sexy Secretary

My friend and co-worker, Carmel, found this amazing vintage dress at Value Village and asked me to 'sass it up' a bit by adding a lace deep-v inset.

The original dress:

I just used my clear ruler to trace where I wanted the inset to be and cut it out.

I used the pieces of the original dress that I cut out to use as a pattern for the lace.

I added a half-inch all around the pattern piece for a seam allowance. 

And I repeated the same thing on the back inset.

Added a half-inch again for a seam allowance. I sewed the inset in with a quarter-inch seam allowance....if you aren't sure why I added a half-inch, it can be kind of confusing to explain, e-mail me if you have questions!

I sewed the shoulder seams together and since I used delicate lace, I finished neckline of the lace with black bias tape. 

I then sewed the inset in and finished the seams with my surger.

Ta da!

 

Pretty sassy, if I do say so myself. And it only took me a little over an hour! I can't wait to see Carmel rock it!