We’ve all done it before. You know…. wearing a short sleeve shirt under our sleeveless tops/summer dresses. Yes, I’m talking to you LDS women out there. And yes, some of us still do it(me guilty!), it’s such a UT/mormon thing but it’s not like we think it’s cuter that way, we just want to dress modestly and we have no choice when we want to show off our cute top/dresses! But I do gotta admit, it looks the CUTEST just the way it is, without anything underneath. A cardigan is okay, but a white shirt under it? Let’s just say we probably won’t win a “best dressed” award with that outfit. So with Summer here and too hot for a cardigan, what do you do? Well, we can “modestify” our sleevess tops/dresses!
I bought this dress for $9 as an XXL. (*big money saving tip: XL, XXL’s are more likely to be on sale! so buy it and alter it!) So I sewed the sides smaller. (this picture is after the alteration.) Using the extra fabric I had from cutting up the sides, I cut 2 rectangles.
Then cut the top part into a half-round shape.
Using a stitch length 5, sew the top part(curved part) of the fabric.
The sewing machine will automatically bunch it up but make sure it’s even and flatten/bunch it as needed. To flatten it more, simply grab the bunched part and pull it outwards. To bunch it up more, simply grab one string from one side and pull on it while pulling the fabric closer together.
Pin it onto the sleeveless part. Make sure the middle of the sleeves matches up with the middle of the sleeveless seam.
sew it (stitch length 2.5) right along the seams.
That’s it! So simple!
no need to wear a shirt underneath, hooray! π
This is another dress I did. There was only one left and I fell in love the moment I saw it! Isn’t it so Anthro? It’s a very good material and the fabric has leaf engravened designs all over it. I did the same thing as the dress shown above but using the fabric from the pockets it had. This dress was a size 6 so I altered the sides smaller but it wasn’t enough fabric for the sleeves. I didn’t even know this dress had pockets but good thing it did because I wouldn’t have been able to add on the sleeves.
And viola! No need for a white shirt underneath! And another tip for modestifying your dresses: Buy a dress a few sizes bigger since it offers a longer length and then alter it to fit you. Use the extra fabric to make the sleeves!
Lu says
You make it look so easy! π love the updated dresses! Modesty never looked cuter!!
Charlie says
really cute, thanks!
Kea says
Am I the only one with the problem of my kamakis peeking through the collar part? I stil couldn't wear those dresses because of the collar being too wide.
Jenny says
I'm so impressed! That seems so fast and easy. Now if you could just make the chest area more modest for girls like me, it would be perfect π
found you on the link party!
http://iheartjennysart.com
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
Love, love, love the dresses! I am not LDS, but I am a conservatively dressing Christian.
Where did you find the green dress if I may ask?
Heather says
Great job making those dresses more wearable, and I love how you did it! Thanks for sharing.
Tricia says
Thanks for sharing. I've seen your dresses on link parties before and always appreciated you adding the sleeves in. So often I just walk past the sleeveless dresses in the store and look for different options. You might just convince me to attempt this. If only I were better at altering the fit.
Alison says
WOW! These are great ideas!! I would never have thought to do it myself and don't know if I have the skills to attempt it. But BRAVO. I am impressed!
~Alison
http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/
Kaysi says
I love it! What a great idea!
kimmie says
These look great!!
any tips on how to modestify speghetti strap dresses? π
Sarah says
kea: I wear sweetheart(square), round, or the gathered on the front one and I usually don't have problems. But if it does seep through or it's too low, I wear a tank underneath.
and laura: I got the green dress at forever 21 and the navy one at target.
kimmie: I've never tried it on spaghetti straps but if I do, I'll let u know how!
And thanks everyone for your kind comments! π
Sandy a la Mode says
wow, i am sooo impressed!! there are soo many times where i found a dress i love but it's in a size too big! once i get a little better at sewing, i can just alter my own dresses from now on, thanks for the inspiration!!
Amy says
Good work! I have so many dresses maternity ones that I got rid of for that very reason haha! They of course look so great on you because you are so super cute and skinny!
Staci J says
Sooo cute!!! You're so talented to even think of that, and you looks super cute in your new modest dresses:)
visiting from tutorial tuesday linky party
justsewsassy.com
MisskiM says
sarah you're amazing!!!!! I love what you do with all these clothes!!!! miss you girl~
I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar says
Great idea and well done. I'm going to have to try this one. Thanks for the idea!
michelle@somedaycrafts says
Darling!
Jenglamgirl says
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT MODEST~ MODEST is the HOTTEST, as they say! π GREAT JOB! Jenn
L ~DIY Diva~ says
i love both of these dresses! so cute and chic.
MAKE MY STYLE MONDAY link party going on now!
check it out and link up!
~L~
avidaccents.blogspot.com
Trudy Callan says
I am not LDS, but I try to dress modestly and cute at the same time. You did an excellent job.
Trudy
http://www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
AUDRA says
What a great tip!
I'm going to have to start looking for my dresses in XXL!
Come link up at Socialize with me Monday til Sunday!!! I'd love to see your ideas π
http://simpsonizedcraftsandthensome.blogspot.com/2010/06/socialize-with-me-monday-til-sunday.html
Its So Very Cheri says
You are so creative. Great tips.
cheri
CraftyMummy says
Just popping over from Life in the PItts…
Very clever of you! I'm impressed
Sew Much Ado says
You are so smart, as usual! I just watched your video and voted for you too, you're so cute and did such a great job! Good luck :).
Joe'n'Jess says
ok, you don't know me, but i just need to tell you how much i appreciate this post!!! finally someone pointed out how awkward it is to wear a t-shirt under sleeveless top. and then (the cherry on top) you showed us how to fix it. a million 'thank you's!!!
Misty says
I'll have to bookmark this! I love, love, LOVE the green dress!!
Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!
Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says
This is a great idea! I don't like wearing sleeveless things either – and this is perfect. Now I'm going to be shopping the XXL clearance aisles, woohoo!
Lyndsey says
Great idea. I think they look cuter with sleeves anyway. π
Debbie says
That's brilliant! I REALLY need to learn to sew.
Miss Fergie says
wow, what a great idea! I'm gonna be on the lookout for BIG dresses now, awesome!
glor says
This is great! I think the dresses look better with your addition. Really nice work!
Kim @ seven thirty three says
Great tut. Thanks for linking up with Sugar & Spice.
Hannah says
oh bummer. These look great. I was just hoping that you were going to show me how to modestify all those cute summer dresses that plunge down the middle. Oh well, this is still helpful and cute and I love the tip to save money by buying big. Nice idea!
Jane says
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing! Stopping by from the Show off your Stuff party! π
Andrea says
Wow, they look great! Nice work! I hope you'll link up to Make It Wear It over at TheTrainToCrazy.com for my weekly Thursday blog party for all things made to be workn!
Ruth H. says
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Lanie Ree says
This is fantastic! I've thought of doing this before, but I was never brave enough to try it. But now that I've seen your results, I'm even more excited to get a sewing machine!
Thank you for participating the Creative Therapy session at Life in the Pitts!
Faith says
WOW! Good for you! What great advice. Love both dresses.
L ~DIY Diva~ says
Your link was part of this Week's Fab five.
Check it out and grab a button for your blog if you wish.
hope to see u next week.
~L~
Erin @ Crafts and Sutch says
That is fantastic! I wish I had your sewing skills…you can make anything you want look perfect for you! π
I'm stopping by from Simply Designing!
Have a super weekend!
Erin
Crafts & Sutch
Leslie says
great idea…very clever
Q says
That is simply wonderful great job.
BTW it's my first time on your site, but I'm looking forward to seeing more :).
Jen Poe says
How lovely! As soon as I am done being pregnant, I fully intend to get into shape and start making things for myself and not just the babies on the way! haha. I love the first one!
Michelle says
Thanks for the great tips! Your dresses turned out beautifully.
Megpin says
I absolutely love those dresses! I'm sooo going to follow your blog religiously!
lush stuff says
Such a transformation,great job,well done!!
P. says
Very clever alterations, and I like them better than the original versions!
Vicki @ DottyJane says
Wonderful alterations! You've got a good eye:)
AmberLou says
genius! thanks for sharing!
Funky Junk Interiors says
Oh my gosh you've got to be kidding me. Not to mention you look like a living doll in those sweet dresses! Whadda seamstress!
Donna
caitlin says
those dresses are awesome, i would never have thought about this! how do you know how much to chop off the sides?
Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautiful says
Thanks for the great idea! Us catholic mommies appreciate modest dress too! I really love your transformation. I actually prefer your dress to the original! There's something so pretty and feminine about a capped sleeve!
Becca says
this is such an awesome idea! i am definitely trying this one out. thanks!
Michelle says
Beautiful! I like your versions of the dresses much better π
myla rose says
you are a genious! beautiful! and you make it seem so simple & easy!
Rita E says
Great post … so very creative! Thanks for sharing!
the mama monster says
yay! such a great idea. i almost bought that same dress on clearance for $5 to make a skirt with,but i changed my mind because my cart was full… better hurry back to target and get it!
Sarah @HarriganHowdy says
Great tips!
Fawnda says
I always love your refashions!
I featured it today at:
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2010/06/spotlight-sunday-soys-31-favorites.html
Dayna says
Very helpful tip! You make it look so simple.
Sarah says
caitlin: I just put the fabric right on the sleeveless part and just roughly measured how long I wanted the sleeves to fall down. then cut +1.5" bigger than the length you want for the stitching and hemming you would need to do. hope that made sense! π
Stephanie Lynn says
The flowered dress is simply beautiful! Fabulous tips as sometimes I don't like sleeveless – especilly before I have a tan! Great idea very well done! Thanks so much for joining The Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you have a wonderul week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Amber H. says
You know, this is actually pretty handy to know! I'm trying to learn how to draft my own dress patterns without having a base pattern in the first place, and sleeves are the mystery item because I have NO CLUE how to make those.. until now! Thanks so much for showing how to do this!
Jennia Hart says
AWESOME!!!!!!! Simply awesome- your dresses look better with the sleeves than they did before!
I'll have to admit that I'm getting to the age that I just like to hide my upper arms for embarrasment reason in addition to modesty. I will so be buying the next cute sleeveless dresses I see on sale!!!
Jessica Stoker says
GENIUS!
Pixie in Pumps says
ok this is amazing. It looks like it was always meant to be that way. This is one of my favorite dresses I own and I often put a black flutter sleeve top under it because I really like it that way! I will definitely have to try this with something I thrift!
jenn (+ will) says
WHAT THE HECK! you are AMAZING π and guess what? i remember that green dress from f21. i totally tried on like two different times and wanted to buy it so bad but i knew i'd look like a milkmaid if i put a t-shirt underneath it! good job miss!!!!!
Mr. and Mrs. M says
That's incredible. Unfortunately doesn't work for me since I have to wear the XL to being with. :/ Still a brilliant idea though!
rubi paul says
Dresses are nice and idea of addition is also good. sleeveless t shirts
Rachael Barksdale says
I just recently discovered your blog, and it has inspired me to try my hand at diy alterations. I bought a sewing machine this summer and have only just now begun to use it.
I have very minimal sewing experience but with lots of time, and even more patience, I am almost done altering my own dress I bought at the DI!
Your sleeves tutorial has put my extra fabric to good use – and they came out BEAUTIFULLY. I'd say I'm proud of myself, but I couldn't have done it without your post. So thank you!
Mary says
Oh my goodness! Pretty sure Jesus wanted me to find this on pinterest! Thanks, you awesome lady!
Jordan and Laura says
Oh my goodness! I just found your blog and fell in love with all the creative modesty ideas… now I just need to learn to sew. thanks for all you post!
Sarah says
You can also buy the closest matching fabric and add it on! π Thanks for your comment!
Sarah says
You are so welcome! I'm so glad it turned out so good! Did you post it on your blog where I can see? π
Sarah says
Haha you're welcome Mary!
Sarah says
Thank you everyone for your comments, I appreciate each one of them!
xo
Nella Cyrus says
Thank you for posting this lovely and simply tutorial.
Heather says
Okay, YOU are amazing! Just found your blog via pinterest and I will be visiting often! Can't wait to make some modest alterations!
Chelsea Abbott says
On the XXL dress, did you just flip it inside out and sew up the sides, from the bottom seam through the elastic and up to the underarm part?
CJ says
These dresses are cute as cute can be, and modest too, but how did putting a little piece of fabric on the top of the shoulder make the dresses any more modest than they were in the first place?
CJ says
These dresses are cute as cute can be, and modest too, but how did putting a little piece of fabric on the top of the shoulder make the dresses any more modest than they were in the first place?
Sarah says
Yes, that's exactly what I did. π
Sarah says
Haha, I meant "modest" according to the LDS standards where we are not suppose to wear any sleeveless clothing. So yes, I personally think it's modest with or without sleeves, but just referring solely to the LDS standards. π
Morgan McDonald says
You are amazing… so keen to try this on some items i've been hiding in the closet!! thanks for your inspiration π
Stephanie Hutch says
I love your post! Great innovation.
Chico's
Women's Designer Fashion and Clothing
Micheal Hussey says
Your way to enlighten everything on this blog is actually pleasant, everyone manage to efficiently be familiar with it, Thanks a great deal.
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Donna says
Love your site! I think most of the alterations that you do would be ok for an older woman, also, yes? I am not LDS but am a conservative Christian and dress modestly, too!
John Carter says
I love all dress that you share with us. Thanks for sharing it modest clothing & modest dresses
Dani says
I'm so sad you sacrificed the pockets on the second dress! It did turn out wonderful though. Thank you for the tutorial! I love summer dresses but they're always sleeveless and I don't do sleeveless! I'll have to give this a try.
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stella says
No solo se usan las mangas por modestia. Yo soy una mujer grande que me gusta vestir moderna. Pero quiero ocultar mis brazos porque estan arrugados. El problema es que tengo muchos vestidos y no todos tienen tela de mas para usar. Asi que a veces me arreglo con puntillas o telas que hagan juego. El problema mayor es cuando tengo poca tela y no se como solucionarlo.
Emma Scott says
Wow! I Like the way you Design it.
for more like regular wear clothing you can have an orange long sleeve shirt, pants, and more stuff.