Thank you all for your honest opinions on my last post. I liked both H&M; dresses but wasn’t in love with either. Your comments confirmed the features that were bugging me, and I didn’t want to keep something that wasn’t perfect! I ended up parting with the emerald (already have other items in that exact color), and taking matters into my own hands with the mint:
Drawing a pattern based on my bust and shoulder measurements:
Chop chop!
“Click to Read More” to see how this turned out!
Voila! Strange kimono/dolman sleeve turned classic sleeve. I am now completely in love with this dress.
Creating a “pattern” for the armholes and sleeves was unfortunately not easy. It took about 3 attempts to get right (with numerous photos from the side and back to identify fit issues). The ideal way to make good patterns is to cut apart a top that already fits well and to trace the pieces, but who has nice-fitting tops just lying around for dissecting?
For anyone who is interested in making this dress sleeveless, this is how it looked before I attached the sleeves. I thought it looked nice sleeveless, but because the dress is so slim and almost rectangular, I like the balance that sleeves add. With sleeves, I can also wear this dress to work and not worry about an additional layer.
Lastly, the author of PAB expressed interest in writing some guest posts during my blogging slowdown. If you have any questions for him or topics on which you’d be interested in hearing a male perspective, please leave us a comment below!
Do you show any step by step directions for how you measured and reworked the dolman sleeves into set-in sleeves?
#059894 – It's in their "trend" department which is only in major stores, I think. Just call ahead and ask if your store carries trend. Good luck!
do you have the code for this dress? I cant find it in my HM store
You did an amazing job!
The transformation on that dress looks incredible! I actually love it sleeveless but I understand you want more coverage for work. Great job!
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com
Really late in commenting, but you did a fantastic job with this! I'm so afraid to do alterations myself. This is very inspiring!
Omg the dress looks wonderful now. my heart skipped a beat when i saw the chopped up pieces in the preview. haha but it turned out very nicely after your diy alterations. and I am so glad you didn't keep it sleeveless too :)) Thumbs upp!
wow amazing sewing skills….looks so much better…I am not liking the "dolman" sleeves or shirts I keep seeing
Wow, it's so great!!
I am SO impressed! Seriously, I thought there was no saving that mint dress from awkwardness but now I love it too! Completely fabulous on you.
I'm a complete gym novice…so pardon this crude explanation: I just do some sets each week with 5lb weights over the head and out to the side.
Denim alterations are really tough when the material is thick. I've broken several needles before on my sewing machine due to the thickness. There are some YouTube videos on altering/hemming denim, so check those out. I would personally take it to a tailor to do, especially if you want to maintain the original hem on the sleeves to keep the rugged/washed look.
How funny! I love the thought of the Oreo truffles as golden snitches : )
Jean, you're so talented with DIY alterations! Love the finished look. I agree with hearing about PAB's food adventures and maybe even a "pairings" entry or vid either on his clothes or yours.
If the waistline were too low, I think the best approach with something like this dress would be to take it in along the shoulder line. That way you don't tamper with the waist line and the zipper. I've done that with blouses in the past. When I tried on this dress and pinched the shoulder up 1 inch, I felt the waist line was then too high. I wonder if the shoulder line alteration would work for your empire style dresses that are too low.
I use a simple older Brother machine, but it looks really similar to this model for $80
I use a simple older Brother machine, but it looks really similar to this model for $80
I second the request to hear about PAB's food adventures in the Boston area.
I would love to learn about PAB's skin regime, my hubby's skin needs help and I don't think there's much resources on that. Thanks!
Christina
What sewing machine do you use? I'm dying to start doing my own alterations, but I'm having trouble picking the right machine. Please help!
Wow Jean, I saw you post on FB but only got a chance to view now, turned out great! You are BRAVE!!!
I'd love to hear photography and photoshoot stories of a day in the life of PAB following PAG around 😛
Great decision to keep the mint dress, I really like the color and front pleat. And you've done a great job with the alterations!
Wow, I am really impressed by your DIY alterations. I really need to learn how to sew. But how does one start with this task? lol
But on a dress like this, would you ever DIY dissect the dress at the waist line and then reattach the two pieces with the chest portion shorter? I feel like I've gotten dresses that fits, but they fit my body different than how the designer envisioned – like an empire waist dropping lower and changing the shape of the dress. I'm not sure if that would look better or worse, but I am curious how it would look in comparison.
I would suggest trimming off a little from the bottom and wearing a belt to raise your waist line. This will elongate your legs. Just my 2 cents. very nice DIY!:)
Wowza!! Incredibly impressive. Especially given that you are so busy! 🙂 How did you fit in the time?
Wow you're awesome and it turned out to be even better 🙂
wow amazing! it looks fantastic on you
great job with the dress! im sure all the hard work was worth it to have something fit just right
http://sarahriaz.blogspot.com/
Jean you are so brave! I'm glad the DIY alterations worked out well for this dress – the fit looks so much better and gives it a classier feel. Good job!!
PS – Canada finally is having 20% off at H&M.; They didn't forget about us this time! 🙂
I second the photography tips! I assume that he learned a lot of tricks on his own, but if he can also offer his top online resources and blog recommendations, that'd be appreciated.
i want to hear about PAB's favorite eats in Boston!
agreed! it looks even more amazing after the alterations 🙂
http://highprofilehighexpectations.blogspot.com/
I love how it looks sleeveless! But you're right about the sleeves being more appropriate and more hassle-free for work.
I actually just bought those two blouse today. I wasn't sure what color to get but since it's only $9.95 I decided to get both since I could wear it to work or for the weekend if I decide to dress up for a dinner or something. Love it.
Very nicely done! I thought at first you WERE making it sleeveless, but I like it with the classic sleeves too. It's always a little frightening altering something without a pattern, isn't it? 🙂
Gosh I need to learn how to work a sewing machine! Like you, I have issues with fit and learning how to alter my own garments would be a HUGE help. So glad you kept this one! I loved it the best!
-nico
Wow you have skills!! I actually like the sleveless version on you too! I really hope PAB can do more posts, they were some of my favorites!
ok. Now I'm sold 🙂
Happy studying.
cheers, Samantha
http://sammyfaces.blogspot.com
I'm your new fan!! Please check out my blogs to at victoireannie.blogspot.com
Cant wait for PAB posts on Mens professional wardrobe! Picking the right shoes, proper fit for suit pants/jacket, good deals…but of course will miss you Jean! Just got a bit excited to share this blog with my man. Goodluck on the CFA!
Oh wow, that dress looked so much better when got done with it.
You are like a fashion wizard, lol! This dress turned out so good. Great job.
obsessed too. can you do a pretty lookbook photoshoot so i can pin this? hm…did u ever put the price for this dress? i know it's a TREND line so I wouldn't be able to get it, unless I felt like driving over an hour, but just curious to know how much they're charging.
Great alterations!!! I'm glad you kept the mint 🙂
You really have toned arms! What kind of workouts do you do to get them so toned??
-Trang