Adding Sleeves to a Strapless Dress: DIY Guide

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If you've found a great strapless dress but want a little more coverage, you can add sleeves. You'll need to create quick straps for the neckline so you have a way to attach the sleeves. You can use excess fabric from the dress or buy fabric that complements the dress. Then, sew capped sleeves onto the straps where they meet the neckline and enjoy your new look!

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Adding Straps to the Dress

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  1. Once you've chosen a strapless dress to alter, buy at least 1 yard (0.91 m) of fabric that matches the dress. If you're making other adjustments to the dress, such as making a shorter hemline, you might be able to use excess fabric from the dress itself. [1]
  2. [3] Put on the dress and stand up straight. Have a friend hold a measuring tape from the front of the dress over your shoulder to the top of the dress in the back. Then, write down how long the strap should be. [4]
    • Ensure that they're measuring exactly where you want the strap to fall on the dress.
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  3. Decide how much coverage you want the sleeves to give your arms. If you want a lot of coverage or will be wearing the dress to a very formal event, consider adding full-length or three-quarter sleeves. If your dress is casual or loose, you might want a capped sleeve or off-the-shoulder sleeve. [5]
    • If you're unsure what style sleeve to use, check fashion magazines for dresses that are a similar style to yours and see what sleeves they have.
  4. [6] Once you know the style of sleeves you want, you can figure out how wide to make the strap. For example, if you want to make a delicate cap sleeve, you probably want a thin strap that doesn't cover a lot of your shoulder. If you're making an off-the-shoulder sleeve, you'll want a very thin strap, such as a spaghetti strap. [7]
    • If you're attaching a full sleeve, it's alright to make the straps as wide as you like. Keep in mind that if your straps are over 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, they'll completely alter the shape of the neckline.
  5. Add 4 inches (10 cm) to the length and cut 2 strips of fabric. It's a good idea to add extra fabric to the length of your straps. This will give you seam allowance and you can always cut off excess fabric. Use sharp scissors to cut out 2 long strips of fabric according to your measurements. [8]
    • For example, if your original strap measurement was 14 inches (36 cm), add 4 to get 18 inches (46 cm) for the length.
  6. To make it easier to pin, put the dress on while it's inside out. Arrange a shoulder strap so the outer edge of the strap lines up with the side seam of your dress. Then, take the dress off and use sewing pins to attach each strap to the front and back of the neckline. [9]
  7. Take the inside-out dress to your sewing machine and straight stitch across the front of the straps where they meet the neckline. Then, straight stitch the straps to the back of the neckline. It's important to use thread that matches the color of your fabric so the seam doesn't stand out. [10]
    • Remove the pins as you sew.
    • If you don't have a sewing machine, you could hand stitch the straps in place.

    Tip: Turn the dress right side out once you've sewn on the straps and try it on. If the straps don't feel comfortable, adjust them. For example, if the straps are too tight, remove the stitches and let more of the fabric out before straight stitching them again.

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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Sewing the Sleeves to the Straps

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  1. You can remove sleeves from a different dress if you think they'll work with the dress you're altering or you can cut and sew sleeves with the same fabric as your dress. [11]
    • If you're unsure what size sleeve to add, start with a long sleeve. Then, you can shorten the length as you like.

    Tip: Although capped sleeves are the easiest sleeves to add if you're new to sewing, you could make full-length sleeves and attach them to your dress.

  2. Place a strip of double-sided sewing tape along the longest opening line for your sleeve and press it down firmly. Then, turn your dress right-side out and place the adhesive-lined sleeve about 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) under the strap. The sleeve opening and strap should line up. You can pin the sleeve in place so it's extra secure. [12]
    • Attach the tape to the right side of the sleeve piece. If you don't have double-sided sewing tape, you can simply pin the sleeve in place. It just might not be as secure.
    • If you can, place your dress on a form or you might need to ask a friend to help you pin the sleeves while you're wearing the dress.
  3. Take the dress to your sewing machine and use a straight stitch to sew the sleeve to the strap at the front of the neckline. Remember to use a thread color that matches the fabric. Keep sewing along the sleeve and strap until you reach the back of the neckline. Repeat this for the other sleeve. [13]
    • If you're attaching a capped sleeve, you won't need to sew the bottom of the sleeve closed.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you make a strapless gown?
    Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
    Couture Bridal Designer
    Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane.
    Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
    Couture Bridal Designer
    Expert Answer
    The toughest part of making a gown is perfecting the bodice, this is what shapes the dress and, most importantly, what holds it up! I recommend finding a good commercial sewing pattern that explains how to use boning, bust cups, waist stay elastic, etc. Start by practicing a few times before cutting into your real fabric. Remember, a strapless dress has to be very tight to your chest and has to have enough structure in the top to hold up the skirt.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Strapless dress
      • Sleeves
      • Double-sided sewing tape
      • At least 1 yard (0.91 m) of fabric that matches the dress
      • Sewing machine
      • Scissors
      • Ruler
      • Measuring tape

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      References

      1. ↑ https://oureverydaylife.com/how-to-take-up-the-shoulder-seams-in-a-lined-dress-12316131.html
      2. ↑ Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.
      3. ↑ Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.
      4. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/add-straps-dress-7375442.html
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/qfHWbXMJeHQ?t=55
      6. ↑ Alterations Express. Alteration, Tailoring, and Dry Cleaning Specialists. Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.
      7. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/add-straps-dress-7375442.html
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/u8fYrgtD4x0?t=17
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/Yb6UTg-BoWM?t=98
      1. ↑ https://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/sewing-tips/sew-turn-straps/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/dQKpHnQMZVI?t=55
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/R4moIiSmOrE?t=404
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/R4moIiSmOrE?t=503

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