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This instructable was revised on 6/03/09 for simplicity and accuracy.
This is an easy way to make a dress from either two large scarves or two equal sized pieces of fabric. I have been seeing dresses of this style around the place and every time I see one I think "hey, that must just be two pieces of fabric sewn together... but how?..."
I looked on the interweb and couldn't find any tutorials so I decided to play around until I worked out the how.
As with all the clothes I make I chose this style because it fits the criterion of being size adjustable and flattering to a wide range of body shapes. And as you can see from the photo, it fits nicely over a pregnant belly.
The dress has an open wrap front that is secured with ribbon. It can be wrapped and worn in several different styles.
To make this dress you will need:
2 sections of fabric aprox 1m x 1.3m, or two large scarves/sarongs;
4 metres of ribbon;
sewing machine and thread (it would, however, be quite easy to do this without a sewing machine if you are using scarves that are already hemmed, or fabric that doesn't fray and thus doesn't need finishing);
a dress form or a friend who is willing to help you fit and measure;
a fair bit of time to play around and experiment with the tying, the tying is by far the trickiest part.
This is an easy way to make a dress from either two large scarves or two equal sized pieces of fabric. I have been seeing dresses of this style around the place and every time I see one I think "hey, that must just be two pieces of fabric sewn together... but how?..."
I looked on the interweb and couldn't find any tutorials so I decided to play around until I worked out the how.
As with all the clothes I make I chose this style because it fits the criterion of being size adjustable and flattering to a wide range of body shapes. And as you can see from the photo, it fits nicely over a pregnant belly.
The dress has an open wrap front that is secured with ribbon. It can be wrapped and worn in several different styles.
To make this dress you will need:
2 sections of fabric aprox 1m x 1.3m, or two large scarves/sarongs;
4 metres of ribbon;
sewing machine and thread (it would, however, be quite easy to do this without a sewing machine if you are using scarves that are already hemmed, or fabric that doesn't fray and thus doesn't need finishing);
a dress form or a friend who is willing to help you fit and measure;
a fair bit of time to play around and experiment with the tying, the tying is by far the trickiest part.
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Signing UpStep 1The quick explanation
I will go through this step by step, but here is the quick version for those that have done it before or have a fairly good idea of what is going on already.
Basically, you start off with two 1mtr x aprox 1.30mtr rectangles of fabric, which you hem on all four sides (unless you are starting with scarves/sarongs that are already finished, in which case, yay for you! the rest will only take you a few minutes!).
As per the diagram, the section between point A and B becomes the back seam, which starts at the waist and finishes at the hem.
The points at C and D get folded over and sewn to become the point above the bust that the ribbon gets threaded through.
Points E and F get wrapped around the body and sit at the waist.
The two remaining un-lettered corners will become points at the bottom of the dress.
Easy? Not so much? Okay, here is the longer more detailed explanation...
Basically, you start off with two 1mtr x aprox 1.30mtr rectangles of fabric, which you hem on all four sides (unless you are starting with scarves/sarongs that are already finished, in which case, yay for you! the rest will only take you a few minutes!).
As per the diagram, the section between point A and B becomes the back seam, which starts at the waist and finishes at the hem.
The points at C and D get folded over and sewn to become the point above the bust that the ribbon gets threaded through.
Points E and F get wrapped around the body and sit at the waist.
The two remaining un-lettered corners will become points at the bottom of the dress.
Easy? Not so much? Okay, here is the longer more detailed explanation...
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Also, your dress is lovely. :)