Repurposed. Upcycled. Reincarnated. Whatever you want to call it, it's all the rage. Making new the old and discarded. I'm loving it. I never throw anything away without scrutinizing it for some future new life. The tired and boring becomes the new and exciting!
This wrap around skirt wasn't earning it's keep in my closet, and my poor gal is practically destitute of dresses, SO I whipped out my scissors and went to work. 
My black wraparound skirt before. Purchased at AE like a kazillion years ago.
Ta da! A sweet new peasanty dress for Jlove!
I basically cut out the front, back, and sleeves from the top smocking detail of the skirt. Barely squeaked that puppy out!
Hemmed the bottom. Hemmed the sleeves and added a row of shirring...
Threw some lace around the waist, and some bias tape around the neckline (I also fished some elastic through the bias tape to pull the neckline in and up), and then added a button closure in back! No sweat!
I love it!! Josie looks so cute and I just DIE over little girls in black.
Ha ha, yay, it worked!!
Grandma called it use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. I see you've done one better-- make it over, make it better, and never do without! You are SO creative, and your "gal" is so lucky to have you for a Mama! (And your Frugal Geeky Man is lucky to have you for a wife)!