A Very Simple Strapless Dress {Mini Tutorial}

One of my latest tutorial finds was this super cute ‘Simple Skirt’ from Katy at Sweet Verbena. I stumbled across her blog via Pinterest and though she is fairly new to the blog world she has some adorable and amazing tutorials. Her style is awesome and her projects are simple and fun. In addition to making a ‘Simple Skirt’ I also used the same idea from her tutorial to create my most recent dress--meet the Simple Strapless Dress! 

This was a learn-as-I-go sewing project for myself. I’ll try to explain as best I can the steps I took and adjustments I made to the skirt tutorial. Once you review and understand Katy's skirt, this should be a breeze for you to make!

Here is what I used:

1 and 2/3 yard of 45” wide fabric

1” wide elastic

Sewing Essentials

((Please bare with me as it may get a little wordy since I don't have photos of the steps I took; for reference please visit Katy's tutorial as she took very helpful photos of each step!))

For the first step, rather than folding your fabric completely in half lengthwise to create a 2-layer skirt as Katy did, fold down your top edge roughly between ¼ -½ way down your fabric. To get a more accurate measurement of how far you should fold your fabric, measure the height of your bust. Do this by measuring from the top of your chest (or the bottom of your armpit--where the dress will sit) to directly under your bust. Add about 2 inches to that measurement and fold your fabric.

Since your bust measurement is longer than what the equivalent measurement of your back would be, cut your folded fabric with a slight curved edge working from the center to the ends. This will help eliminate any excess fabric or poofiness on your back.

Here is my pitiful attempt at creating a diagram to describe this:

The faint gray line is where your fabric is folded over to and the black curved line is what you will cut out from your flap

Create your casing at the top of the fold just as Katy did. Do this by laying down your elastic across the top of the fold and pin directly underneath it. Sew a straight line where you just pinned. Here is your first casing!

This is when Katy slides in her elastic, gathers the skirt and sews up the two sides to finish her skirt--super simple!! To create my dress, we will add one more step so that we can create the casing for the second elastic around your waist.

Leaving about an inch seam allowance, sew a line along the bottom of your curved fabric flap. Lay your elastic as best you can around the curve and pin on top of the elastic (same idea as the first casing) and sew along that pinned line. Your two slightly curved sewn lines create the casing for your second elastic.

Here is another lame attempt at a diagram:

The two grey dashed lines are where you sew to form your casing

Measure your elastic to where one piece fits comfortably around your upper chest and another piece around your waist. Be sure to have enough slack to stretch over your head but enough tightness to hold up your dress. Insert your pieces of elastic through the casings using a safety pin (or whatever works best for you!) and pin the elastic to each open end. Stretch both of your elastics and play with the fabric to get a nice even gather. Hem the bottom of your dress (if needed). Pin the two edges together, right sides facing each other, and try on your dress if you’d like. Make any adjustments to your elastic at this time. Once fitted, sew straight down the edges to form your dress and you’re all done! **You'll notice that one key difference from the skirt was that my one seam is worn at the back of my dress, rather than at the sides.

Add a belt for a little more shape if you'd like!

If you have ANY questions at all in regards to making a dress of your own, please do not hesitate to contact me!



Thank you Katie from Sew Woodsy, Danielle from Blissful & Domestic and Kelly from Running with Glitter for featuring my dress!!



Elastic Band High Waist Dress {Mini Tutorial}

Hello awesome new project and fabulous way to recycle clothing! 

My friend Katie introduced me to a great blog with this lovely dress tutorial... 

{The Elastic Band} Empire Waist Dress

All we needed was an elastic band, old tank top and about 1.5 yards of fabric!

It didn't look difficult and is totally my style, so we decided to tackle it! We were really excited about getting this in the works because it looked so simple and comfortable! Finally, one Sunday morning we made a trip to Jo-Anns and purchased the supplies (I went a little overboard and bought enough to make a few!) and began sewing away at her house. 

We found the directions all in all to be fairly simple...the only thing we changed/added was that we removed the "gathering stitch" after stitching the skirt to the elastic band. We found that it was MUCH easier to put on over your head with this stitch taken out! I also decided to NOT stitch my tank onto the skirt. I LOVE the skirt as it is and the idea of being able to switch out different colored tanks for various looks is awesome. Plus, no one knows that it's NOT a dress once it's on! :)

Here is Katie's beautiful dress! She had an old green tank and paired it with the cutest green and pink floral fabric. She also added black lace on the neck of her tank to match the black elastic band. She said she has received many compliments when wearing it at work and that it looks adorable with a black cardigan! Super cute :) She is working on her second one as we speak!!

I also made a few adjustments on my own with the fullness of the skirt. My first attempt at using the suggested measurements (1 and 1/2 times the length of your waist, so mine was approximately 1.5yards) along with the stiffer cotton fabric made the skirt feel huge and really full (plus I'm not pregnant like the girl in the tutorial!) I adjusted this by taking in a few inches from the seam and added another two seams to make it less full. My second skirt was with a silkier material. This was the easiest, quickest and best fitting skirt of them all since I didn't have to adjust the measurements! The flowier fabric allowed it to gather and sit just right so it didn't look near as puffy. For my third skirt, I adjusted the original waist measurement to fit me almost snug, then added a triangle piece of fabric in the back for some wiggle room and fullness. All three ways worked fine and look awesome in the end! 

This was my first skirt! I used a black elastic with a black multi-colored tiny floral print fabric for the skirt. This is the one I had taken in and added two extra seams to. It's not so puffy anymore! :)  

I also made it a little shorter so it hits right below mid-thigh. 

See how cute it is to change out the tank top color! Completely different look!

This is my silkier skirt! It's perfect for the summer & beach. (I wore it in Longboat!) I also made this one a little shorter as well. I loved the fun fabric of yellow, pink and white...I've been eyeing it at Jo-Anns and am glad I found the perfect project for it!

This is my most recent skirt where I just added the extra triangular fabric in the back to a smaller measurement. It is a brown with floral print. It also has a little bit of gold glitter mixed in for extra sparkle! I have it paired with a white thinner elastic band (3/4") that I added a gold lace on top of. I also made a flower accessory with the scrap fabric and lace! 

Up-close view of the flower on the shirt and in my hair. Also with a different color cami ;) You can kind of see the lace more in detail on the elastic band as well.

All in all this is a super easy and cute way to make a simple dress...or skirt! ;)

Thank you Katie for suggesting it and Smashed Peas & Carrots for sharing it with us!!