Turn an Ugly Dress Into a Cool Jumper for School

With school and fall just around the corner, I decided to create a cool alternative to the plaid school jumper. It's a very inexpensive way to show off your unique style!

You will need:
one ugly dress
seam ripper
scissors
tape measure
pins
matching thread
sewing machine

First thing, first...find an ugly dress.  I found my ugly dress at the local thrift store, but you can get one anywhere: your closet, your mom's closet, rummage sale, Goodwill, anywhere! 

I chose this dress because I liked the buttons going up the chest to the neck.  And there was enough of it to work with.

Get out your seam ripper, you're gonna need it!  

Cut off anything you don't want on your final dress.  The first thing I took off was the shoulder pads.  Next, the elastic on the waist.  I also removed the sleeves and cut the skirt in half. 

Take off as little or as much as you want, be creative!

Now, it's time for the tape measure! 

I measured my daughter's legs from waist to knee, shoulder width, and the length from under her arm pit to her waist.  Then I measured the dress and  added an inch to each measurement for the seam allowance. 

Next, take the scissors and start cutting! 

Now, pin the seams together and sew a 5/8th seam allowance.  For the sleeves, I turned and top stitched a very slim hem. 

Turn and top stitch the hem on the skirt.  I didn't measure the skirt hem...just eye balled it. 

Now for the raw edges! 

Since I don't have a serger, I used a wide zigzag stitch to finish up the raw edges to prevent fraying.

And ta-da! Your done!!

Now, you or your daughter will have a one-of-a-kind dress/jumper for school.  Enjoy!