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DIY: update/tailor a vintage style dress

June 12, 2012~ SEWING

I got this dress but it was a little too big and I didn’t like the sleeves.  
before/after:
since it had a side zipper, I thought it’d be easier to take in the back instead of the sides.
Picture Instructions:

and you’re done!
and me and my girl wore our polka dot outfits to church.
dress & neon shoes c/o Romwe.
Hmm, I wonder where she got the “bend one foot” pose from…?
Directions:
1. Turn the dress inside out and sew a diagonal line along the back middle seam.
2. Cut the extra length of the sleeves on both sides.
3. Fold 1/2″ of fabric two times on the sleeves and sew.
4. Turn it right side out and fold the sleeve once more.
5. Sew along the orange line as pictured above.
Estimated time: 30 mins.
Project cost: FREE
Skill level: a confident beginner
0

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TAGGED: DIY, DIY tailoring 25 Comments

Comments

  1. K says

    June 12, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Do I understand correctly that step 1 implies loosing the zipper? So you manage to put on the dress without it? I really admire your refashioning skills! Personally I am still waiting for the day when I feel capable of tackling projects like this..

  2. Jodi Ann says

    June 12, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    So cute! I need to use this tutorial on that dress that's been in my closet for months needing alterations πŸ™‚

  3. Tasha Brogan says

    June 12, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    super cute! I love the style and what you did was perfect πŸ™‚

  4. Sarah says

    June 12, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    no, I kept the side dipper and lost the buttons. I wouldn't have been able to put it on if it was just the buttons. πŸ™‚

  5. Shiloh says

    June 12, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    I LOVE polka dots. What a cute dress!

  6. blissfulsewing says

    June 13, 2012 at 7:42 am

    What a pretty polka dress,who wouldn't love it!
    http://www.blissfulsewing.blogspot.com

  7. Jan says

    June 13, 2012 at 8:47 am

    Ah she looks too cute!

    β™₯

  8. Fictitious Fashion says

    June 13, 2012 at 9:57 am

    wowwwwwwww. Beautiful creation.. I like what you wrote.. 'confident beginner' πŸ˜€

    Thank you for such a lovely comment on my previous post πŸ™‚

    Maybe you have time to read my New Post- Similar Difference

    Love
    Akanksha

  9. CHRISTMAS PIE CRAFTS says

    June 13, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    It looks really lovely and amazing how something like that can completely change the look of the dress – well done. I love your green shoes.

  10. K says

    June 13, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    Right! I got it now. πŸ™‚ Thanks!

  11. Just Jaime says

    June 13, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    Beautiful job tailoring! I love the sleeves!

  12. kendascrafts says

    June 14, 2012 at 2:36 am

    really cute!

  13. Lori says

    June 14, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    Great idea!

  14. KayleighAnn says

    June 14, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    Love this! I had to pin this tutorial for when my confidence it is up with sewing machine x

  15. Rachel says

    June 15, 2012 at 4:08 am

    Great fix! I definitely like the shorter sleeves better. Thanks so much for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

  16. Sarah says

    June 15, 2012 at 6:46 am

    Great! Don't be intimidated to start, I'm sure you'll do fine.:)

  17. Sarah says

    June 15, 2012 at 6:48 am

    Just do it! It's the start that's the hardest for me, the motivation to start, but once I start, I'm so glad I did. πŸ™‚

  18. Niki says

    June 16, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    Oh so cute. I love when people can update older clothing and make it look fantastic.

  19. Ashley J @ MommyByDayCrafterByNight says

    June 18, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    Thanks so much for linking this up on my blog!! I LOVE your blog so I was so excited to see a project linked up from you! It turned out so great11 Good job! xoxo, Ashley

  20. Doni says

    June 20, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Oh how cute! You totally did a wonderful job on that dress…and the pair of you! So adorable!
    Great job…if I was your size…ahem..I'm NOT even close…but I'd be wearing something like that too! LOVE IT!
    Blessings,
    Doni

  21. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    June 20, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    You are so amazingly talented! I love reading your posts – I feel so inspired and I don't even sew πŸ™‚ Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

  22. Sarah says

    June 22, 2012 at 5:07 am

    You are so sweet, thank you! Thanks for hosting a great party!

  23. Thorough Lad says

    February 14, 2014 at 11:14 am

    Everyone has found it stunning, I think it will be the most beautiful thing my future husband will ever see. Thanks a million the designer!
    Discount Designer Clothes

  24. Micheal Hussey says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:44 am

    I am really appreciating very much by seeing your interesting posts.
    bubblegum casting

  25. Anonymous says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:44 am

    So, you just took in the back and it changed the neckline??

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Hello! My name is Sarah and I am so happy to have you here! Here you'll find DIY sewing, DIY home building & decor, honest and vulnerable posts of motherhood and snippets of my family. We are building our dream house and will update you regularly on our whole process from start to finish and I am also starting a mother-daughter sewing series. So I hope you stay awhile!

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