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old navy dress (c/o) refashioned by me (original here, similar raglan style here and here)
For this round of Raiding My Sister’s Closet, we joined up with Marigold and some other fantastic seamstresses for the Summer of No Pants — a fun blog project with tons of skirt and dress tutorials. Dresses have been my go-to the last few summers, and I’ve added a ton to my closet (store bought, refashioned, and handmade) this year and last. They’re so versatile, easy to throw on and go, and are easily dressed up or dressed down. I don’t think I’ll ever own enough dresses (although my tiny closet says otherwise).
Old Navy sent each of us the same basic black dress and then we each refashioned it in some way. I’ve been wanting to do a baseball sleeve refashion for a long time, so this was the perfect opportunity. I used a little bit of gray jersey knit leftover from another dress project, and it came together so easily.
Find the full tutorial after the break!
Materials:
basic bodycon style dress (like this
one)
1/4 yard jersey knit fabric
matching thread
seam ripper
note: my dress had ruching on the sides which worked for my pregnant sisters, but was a little unflattering on me so I cut out the elastic and restitched up the sides. That step is not included in the tutorial below. Just so you know.
1 // cut the sleeves out of your dress. Then cut the shoulder out, angling up from the underarm to the neckline (in the shape of a baseball sleeve). Leave the neckline intact, cutting about 1/4″ around it.
2 // use an existing baseball sleeve shirt or the pieces you just cut from the dress as a pattern piece. Cut two new sleeves.
3 // With right sides together, sew the sleeves together.
4 // Insert the sleeve into the arm hole of the dress (with right sides together), matching up the underarm seams. Pin in place, stretching as needed. DON’T pin the sleeve to the neckline. Sew around the armhole with a straight stitch, attaching the sleeve to the dress (except at the neckline).
5 // Pin the top of the sleeve to the neckline piece (with right sides together), and then attach with a straight stitch. (note: this part can get a little tricky, especially trying to get nice sharp corners. Go slowly, and keep your seam allowances trimmed down to make it easier and to avoid fabric bunching).
6 // Trim all your seam allowances and zigzag or serge your raw edges. Press all your seams and you’re done!
Who ever said that sporty outfit can’t be chic!? You look amazing in this one and I like the way you’ve styled it 🙂
http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, Natali!
I love that dress! Looks great on you! Love how you dressed it down with the the converse too!
The Style Storm
<3, Christina
I love baseball tees and what’s better than those?! A baseball tee dress 😉 love it!
Nightchayde
Exactly!! They’re my fave!
This turned out super super cute!!
Kristina does the Internets
Love this dress, it is so unique !
Madeline | Its a Mads Mads World
*banging my head on the wall*..seriously, i ordered this dress a month and a half ago but because of the ruching on the side took it back. fit great except the ruching wasn’t flattering. didn’t realize that the ruching could come out.
Did you shorten yours or maybe got petite size? I remember the one I had was much longer than your picture
yes, I hemmed it too since when I took out the ruching it was super long.
What an awesome redo! I want the dress you fashioned! The gray sleeves are perfect. I agree, you can’t have too many summer weight dresses. Looking put together without a million layers is why I love dresses in the summer. Cant wait to see what your sisters did with it!
I love that dress! I wouldn’t be surprised if Old Navy steals that idea and sells it!
thepolkfolk.blogspot.com
If they do I better get the credit 😉
Merrick, you make it look so easy. One of these days I will attempt one of your amazing dress tutorials because you do make it so easy! I’m just challenged. And yes, I love the dress.
Ha, you can do it Kaitlin!! It’s really not that hard — just a little practice!
This is so cool! I love that dress, and really wish I had sewing skills to make one myself!
Love what you did with the dress, also how you put on your converse with it. I just recently purchased the white converse. I love them!
They’re the best, right??
I love how you refashioned the dress!
Haley
haleyvalerie.com
wow, love how you refashioned this dress! you are soo talented!!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Haha in the UK ‘pants’ are underwear…so my eyes widened a little bit at the title for a second! 😉 I love how you added the raglan sleeves, I seriously need to learn how to sew.
HA! Now THAT would be an interesting series 😉
Love this dress. Too cute!!!!!
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
I’m a huge fan of dresses with sneakers – you nailed it again this time, Merrick! 🙂
Thanks so much, Brynn!