Refashioned: Floral Liesl Dress

10 Comments

My sister-in-law gave me this dress over the break and I just finished refashioning it. It was just a bit too short for her and she wouldn’t be taking it with her to Chicago anyway. I happily obliged. The fit wasn’t fantastic and the sleeves were about a mile high. BUT THE PRINT!! Oh that print.

The poor fit and the puffy sleeves combined made me look like I was about to break into song, “I am 16, going on 17. . .” Yikes! I’m not particularly awesome with sleeves, but I thought I would give it a shot. The puffy sleeves provided more than enough fabric for the sleeves I reconstructed. And if I failed, I could at least finish the arm holes nicely and wear it with cardigans.

And the sleeves worked! I’m so excited with how it turned out. It looks and feels so much better. Here’s how I did it:

  • I unpicked the armhole seams and the side seams all the way
  • I laid out the arm hole flat on the ground and traced the hill shape on some swedish tracing paper
  • I cut that out and pinned it to the arm hole seam and adjusted the pattern from there
  • I pinned and sewed carefully
The sleeves have a little bit of gathering at the top, but just enough to coordinate with the hem below and the straight hem of the actual sleeve make it look more grown up. Much better.

It doesn’t look like much of a change, but it took forever and feels completely different! Another piece crossed off my list for my Alt Summit wardrobe.

Outfit details:

  • earrings: Forever 21
  • dress: handmade, thrifted and refashioned
  • Bracelet: c/o Apricot Lane
  • tights: H&M
  • shoes: H&M
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    1. jen says:

      Awesome makeover; SCORE!
      Your slip looks cute too; is that separate form the dress?
      I’ve been thinking about maiking a cute slip to wear under short dresses, but haven’t gotten around to it. Just add it to my list of things to do! ;)

    2. Joy says:

      Love it!! The color is so nice and refreshing for right now! Cute rights, too!

    3. Lindsay says:

      Love the color! I think I need some red tights in my life, too.

    4. Jeannie D says:

      Adorable, Melissa and the red tights really make the outfit! Also love that you’re wearing a slip! I’m showing my age but it takes me back to Catholic High School where someone would “discretely” tell me, “Your slip is showing”. Oh the horror to have to go from class to class with a little lace peaking out from under my pleated, plaid uniform skirt! Thanks for the laugh…

    5. David Preston says:

      Super cute!

    6. Jen says:

      Looks great! I love the print! I’m so impressed with your work.

    7. phil says:

      spanish look ?

    8. Love it. Love mint and red together i’d totally wear that! Theprinttttttttttt!

    9. Emily says:

      Oh so pretty!

    10. Oakley Seal says:

      It’s so pretty! It was awesome to meet you at the vintage flea market today!

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