A Modest Princess

I love that I get new ideas for #ModestPrincess through helping others, a neighbor asked me to turn this long sleeve dress into short sleeved because it’s just so adorable and would be too small by the time the weather turns cooler again. Super easy alteration to make and a fabulous way to make a modest dress for a toddler, and the best part is the scraps can be turned into matching accessories!

I first measured the desired length and angle of the new sleeve.

Then sliced off the extra sleeve, leaving a 1/4 inch to fold under for the new sleeve hem.

After turning the dress inside out, I folded up the sleeve hem and pinned in place.

Not having a serger, my only choice was to zigzag stitch which is challenging with knits and such a small arm hole. I zigzag stitched right on the edge to prevent future possible unraveling of the knit. I didn’t think I could match the grey thread used for the dress so picked a matching pink instead.

To add a little style and make the sleeves more fitted, I pinned a small pleat.

Which I hand stitched into place.

Here’s how the pleat creates a more fitted sleeve, on the left is the non-pleated and on the right the pleated sleeve.

Closeup of the folds the pleat creates and the finished sleeve.