Adding Sleeves to Sleeveless Dress

I think we all ladies know how hard it is to find a cute dress that is modest in length and has sleeves. Yeah, sure.. there is shabby apple. But after getting two dresses from them at $80 a pop, I just don't think I will be buying anything else from them. Don't get me wrong, the dresses look great online, but when you get them, the quality doesn't seem to fit the price.

So, out to the mall I went... In search for a dress for my sisters wedding.

I found this cute dress. I loved the 50's feel to the dress. It was perfect in length, had pockets and was flowy and comfortable.

The straps were thick enough to add sleeves, so I decided to give it a try.

Here is my dress with the cap sleeves I added:

At first, I was planning on going to go and find some matching fabric.

Then I realized that the belt sash was made out of the same fabric as the top portion of the dress. I figured I could somehow use that for the sleeves and use a thin black belt I had in place of the sash:

I took my seam ripper out and ripped opened up the sash, and ironed it flat:

Then I measured my upper arm. Mine was 12 inches around.

Since the sleeve won't be going all the way around the arm (cap sleeve),

I cut the fabric 11 inches long.

My fabric piece for each sleeve ended up being 11X4:

I needed to hem the bottom portion. Fold over twice and iron:

Hem the bottom edge:

Then I needed to cut the rectangles into a half circle like so:

Then finish up the edge.

( I don't have a serger (I asked hubby for one for my birthday.... )

so I just used a small zig zag stitch) :

Next, you need to ruffle the sleeve. Sew along the marked lines:

Use the longest stitch you can:

Ruffle the sleeve:

Next determine where you want the sleeve to start and end (mark with pins):

Pin the middle of the sleeve and spread the ruffles evenly until you get the desired length of the sleeve (pin):

Sew the sleeve on:

Ta Da!!

Now I have a nice dress which I do not have to wear a cardigan over:

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