Project Restyle: Shift Dress

I've got another Project Restyle to share, this week I re-styled a black shift dress.

The first thing I did was decide how long I wanted it to be, just like in the Bow Dress Re-style.

I'm 5'8", I like to wear dresses at a total length of 35" from shoulder seam to bottom hem.  So I usually cut it off about an inch longer, to include the hem.

The dress was too long, so here's what you do to shorten it:

1. Measure 2 inches up from the bottom, and pin all the way along

2. Cut the bottom off, following the pins

3. Roll the hem about 1/2" up

4. Roll the hem another 1/2" up so that the raw edge is hidden

5. Pin the hem down

6. Sew the hem in place.

The dress was too wide, so here's what you do to take it in:

7. Turn dress inside out

8. Place another dress, in a similar style over top of the dress as a guide

9. Place pins as a guide to where you should sew

10. Sew just beside the pins on the side further from the edge.

I also cut the sleeve about 6 inches shorter, and added a cuff that I made.

Now that I've got the ball rolling on my re-styling projects, I'm really enjoying bringing them from start to finish, the final product is well worth the work :)

Reposted by Heidi-and-Seek Boutique