Adding sleeve to dress?

Question

I need help to make sure I get across what I want.

I want to add these sleeves, well... that style of sleeve where it's nice and flowy and loose & still leave the area under your arms open? If that makes any sense (JUST the sleeve part). It will still help cover my arm, but will also let me breath some as well.

http://www.kaersen.com/weddinggown/justin/large/3541.jpg

to this dress

http://www.kaersen.com/weddinggown/maggiesottero/large/1327.jpg

I plan on showing pics, but if there is a certain name for that kind of sleeve, then that would be great. I just want to make sure I'm as clear as I can be when asking for what I want.

Think it might be called butterfly sleeve? But I'm not sure, so yeah.. help! heh

Answer 1

The first picture showed sleeves which weren't integral to the dress. I'm not sure that they will work that well if they are part of the dress, especially as the shoulders on the dress you show are so wide. I would recommend rather asking what kind of sleeves your seamstress can do. Let her know you'd like flowy sleeves which are open at the bottom if possible, but if you just dictate the specific style then they might not go with the dress.

Answer 2

I think showing the pictures would be the best to get across what you want. If there is a word for it, I'm sure people can take it differently and get the wrong idea. Always show pictures and confirm with the dress maker to assure yourself. The dress is beautiful by the way. Congrats!

Answer 3

The sleeves looks like it is just a shawl...either way you can buy that and just put it on over your dress. Some brides in the winter actually by jackets like that.

Maybe not this one exactly but this will give you an idea.

http://www.bridalpeople.com/bridal-wraps...

Answer 4

It's not a butterfly because those are usually split, but it appears to be a flutter cap sleeve.  Regardless, I love the sleeve, but I think the shoulders of the base gown will need to be narrowed a bit in order to make it work well.

Best wishes!!!!!!!!

Edited to add: The bolero jacket on the first gown does actually have sleeves.  It isn't a shawl, but I'm still not sure how that sleeve would look with the second gown.  Although they could terminate the flutter part right at the underarm of the dress...

It's definitely possible to add them, but I think your seamstress will need to be careful because they "could" accidentally make you look bulkier around the arm due to the wide shoulders on the base gown.  Just have her do a mock-up pinned to that gown and try it on before she does the final work.