My friend found this fabulous vintage housecoat a few months ago, and knowing how much I would love it, she sent it to me. Sadly it wouldn't fit over my ample boobage and so hung on a hanger for a while, while I pondered what to do with it. I felt kinda guilty hacking into it, not something I usually worry about, but it was a gift...




After a few months I summoned up the courage to have a go at making it wearable, so I popped it on my dress form and began the hacking...

 I cut the neckline deeper...

 And the armholes, taking about 3ocms off the length too..


Slitting the dress up the centre back and using the fabric taken from the length added in a shaped panel.



The rest of the fabric taken from the length was made into bias binding to finish the neckline and armholes. There was still some scrap which I used to make fabric roses.




I even made one into a hair slide.



I didn't waste a single scrap, this was all that was left to throw away.



And the final tunic? I love it!