A Stained Shirt Salvaged

This is an adorable shirt I bought for Lily and after 2 wears, it was stained and got washed (by Daddy of course) without pre-treating the stain. Now the stain is permanent. But I didn't want to let it go yet!

I couldn't find tulle or lace in the color matching the bottom trim, until one day, I laid my eyes on a stained dress of mine that had been in the laundry room forever. I was going to throw it out but then I decided I could use the fabric to make something for the little girls.

Anyway, I was going to cut my stained dress up, but then I saw the belt. How perfect is it! I used a gathering foot to shirr the belt.

Then I was trying to figure out how to finish the ends. Where should the raw ends meet? Do I have to undo a little bit of the shoulder seam to tuck it in?

I auditioned the shirred belt on the neckline and decided to use one finished end of the belt to hang down, covering the other unfinished end. And it is much more interesting looking than just a circular trim around the neck!

I am so happy I don't have to throw this shirt away and it looks even cuter now! Maybe a little over-embellished? Hmm...