DIY #2: Modernizing a party dress

Our suggestions: Shorten to mid-thigh and cut off most of the sleeves to create a cute flutter sleeve
Inspiration: any movie with Molly Ringwald, Sweden
Tools: 1980s party dress, scissors, needle/sewing machine and thread, sewing chalk (a pen or pencil will work), measuring tape
Difficulty Level: 2 (Fairly Easy)
Wear with...boots, tights & flats, or gladiator sandals

Here's the dress in the "Before" stage...
Embarassingly '80s, but it has a cute polka dot print!


1. Try the dress on and decide where you want it to hit - we suggest between mid-thigh and right above the knee.
2. Measure and mark (with sewing chalk, pen, or pencil) all around the hem of the dress where you will make the cut, allowing about an 1" if you plan on clean-finishing the hem. (Want an unfinished look? Just cut...and skip the next step).
3. Cut it, then clean-finish the hem by hand or machine.
4. Mark where on the sleeve you will be cutting, allowing about 1/2" for clean-finishing (or, again, if you want an unfinished look, just cut and skip the next step).
5. Cut it, then clean-finish the hem on the flutter cap-sleeve.

And there you have it! A completely wearable,
non-embarrassing party dress!