Romantic Lace Dress Tutorial

by tiffhewlett

17K7417

Intro: Romantic Lace Dress Tutorial

I just want to state for the record that I am no seamstress.
I am trial and error all the way.
When I have something I want in my head, I just go for it, no pattern all willy nilly style.
Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.
Round one was one of the former times, but round two worked out swimmingly.

STEP 1: What You'll Need...

What you'll need if you want to make one of these is about a yard and a half of a thicker liner, and a yard and a half of lace.
Then just a dress that fits well to use as a pattern (if you are not using stretchy fabric, then do not use a stretchy dress unless you cut it extra big; the first time, cut to size, the second time I about 1 1/2 timed the size).
I wanted cap sleeves, so I used a cap sleeve tee to get the pattern for that.

STEP 2: Get Started

Cut 2 pieces of the liner and 2 pieces of the lace. I cut the lace about 2 inches longer than the liner...you'll see why later.

STEP 3: Finish It Up

This goes really fast, once it's all pinned.
Then you can be done.
I made a sash with some of the extra liner fabric, just by folding the fabric in half, sewing, turning inside out and sewing the edges shut.
Then you can either tie it in a knot, or make a bow.
I did this on the first dress, which I gave to my friend.

STEP 4: Cuten It Up

On the one I kept for myself, I made it big enough that I wouldn't have to add any closures, so that it easily slips over my head, and so far I've just worn it with a belt, but I plan on making a sash for it as well.
Now for the bottom of the lace I set my stitch length longer and sewed up the side, just up to the liner. Then I pulled the thread tight to make it ruched on both sides and then sewed it in place.
Using some pieces of the liner, I cut some long strips and rolled them into rosettes for one side of the neck just to add a bit more romance to the look. I hand sewed those on and voila!

STEP 5: Wear It!

I like it a little bigger so that when I belt it pulls together nicely in the skirt and top, making it look a little pleated.

18 Comments

amandaggogo 8 years ago

Very pretty! And a high-five for not using patterns and doing things all willy-nilly! Glad someone else wings it like I do!

keriksen1 12 years ago

@ac-dc, do you really beleive everyine wants to wear ready-made cloths?
It is a very nice dress, it is romantic too, I think I'll make one for my wife ;)

porcupinemamma 10 years ago

Ahh Keriksen-that's so "romantic" (I would love my husband to sew something for me!)

heartart 12 years ago

This is cute, but the gathers at the waist on someone that isn't as slim, would be quite unflattering...making the person look "faux" pregnant.
The lace is really pretty and yes, I do associate lace and roses with romance or romantic style too. Maybe work on the way it hangs a bit more.....just for other body types to be able to wear it. Nice and clear instructions though!

lbroseker 12 years ago

very beautiful. i just wonder how much material i am gonna need for my dress, i am not as small as you are..... :( oh well, i will still try and if all fails, it will be a gift for my sister.

MyMenagerie 12 years ago

You made a very lovely dress. I can't wait to make one also. Thanks for the tutorial!

We share the same sewing style, except I don't always pin.

stackerjack 12 years ago

What about the lovely lady wearing it?
Does the sight of her not make you feel romantic? (It should)

Ace Frahm 12 years ago

It's a perfectly nice dress. But what makes it into "romantic"? Lace alone does not = emotions. But maybe that's just a sex brain thing? Do females think lace IS romance? Men may not, unless the lace spells out "you make may my heart sing" in its pattern of holes.

silentbones 12 years ago

it also references Romanticism (the historical era). if you look at paintings of women in dresses from the Romantic era, you will see that this kind of dress is influenced by that period, and that's one of the reasons why it's called "romantic." also, romantic doesn't always = emotion. someone who is labeled as a "romantic" is often related to being a daydreamer, someone whimsical and airy. this dress looks pretty whimsical and airy, thus can be appropriately labeled as romantic on that level too. not everything like this is a gender thing.

tiffhewlett 12 years ago

Thanks for sticking up for me! :) I just thought it felt romantic-yes whimsical and airy. I wasn't trying to be all technical in the title. Haha. Thanks everyone for your nice comments!

Quinnamon 12 years ago

It's a style of dress it's called romantic because it includes lace. There is also a romantic neck line for dresses but this dress doesnt include it.

Jadepom 12 years ago

Can't wait to try this!! I'm hopeless with patterns in general but frequently see fabrics I'd love to wear or well-fitting clothes in the wrong colour.

PS- Regardless of what anyone else says, delicate material & rosettes generally scream Romance! I like your style :)

midsummermuse 12 years ago

This is beautiful! I love loose dresses belted up, and lace is so pretty! Now I'll just have to get some fabric, this is really quite simple. I love to sew, but loath all the prep and muslin making with patterns, so this really appeals to me! Maybe I could find a lace table cloth at the thrift store!

Oh I am excited, I would try and make it now if I had the fabric on hand. ^_^ Great little tutorial for people who work "no pattern all willy nilly style".

ac-dc 12 years ago

Besides the fact that it looks like it might fall off in a breeze which is kinky, this doesn't look like something a person would wear after the industrial revolution resulted in ready made clothing, though I suppose with free will and all you can wear whatever you want...