Happy Spring guys! Whether you’re feeling warmer weather where you are or not, now is a great time to plan the projects you’ll be wearing once the warmer weather arrives. There’s nothing better than something made by hand, but I’ll admit it does take a little prep work. That said, this one’s ok to start the weekend before you want to wear it, because it takes about half an hour to make. How good is that? Put the pedal to the metal (your sewing machine foot pedal that is) and away you go!
I’ve been feeling this light pink colour for a while (clearly the pantone colours of the year have got to me), and a found a roll of this fabric in a thrift shop when I was in Australia, for only a few bucks I was pretty happy with it! I had pinned this INCREDIBLE Givenchy evening dress (circa 1966) to my board a while ago, and set about making something inspired by it. Admittedly this doesn’t have the same ‘take me to the ball’ kinda vibe, more of a take me to the beach situation. But that suits my lifestyle better anyway. Enjoy this easy project guys.
DIY Strapless Dress with Off the Shoulder Arm Ties
You need:
- 2 metres of fabric (2.2 yards)
- a piece of elastic
- scissors
- matching thread
- a sewing machine
The dress has relatively simple construction – all you need to do is create a gathered tube for the dress, and then two arm ties. To make it a little more, um, classy, I created a flat side of the dress at the front with the gathering at the back. Sometimes gathering can feel a little undone, you know what I mean?
How to
1. Cut a tube of fabric two times the measurement around the top of your bust (where the top of the dress sits in the photos).
2. Sew the long edge together so you have tube.
It will look like this.
3. Then, finish the top and button hems, ensuring the top has enough room for the elastic to pass through the back half.
4. Thread your elastic through the back half.
5. Bring it out the sides. It should look like this. The flat section is the front the the gathered section is the back.
6. Sew the elastic in place on the ends by securing it to the fabric.
7. Now, you’re going to make the arm ties. These are 50cm long (20 in) and about 7.5 cm wide (3 in) in total before sewn. Now simply sew two tubes for the arm ties, leaving one end open for you to turn the inside out.
8. Turn them inside out and then iron flat. Sew the open end shut.
They should look like this: Super easy.
And then attach them under the arms to the main dress, I chose to do it a few cm closer to the front than the seam.
Voila!
Argh! Can I say how much I love this colour?
Looking for more DIY dresses? Check out this off the shoulder one!
Photos by Nicola Lemmon
I am obsessed with this shade of pink, I swear half of my wardrobe is just that đ
so pretty! love it!
xx
http://www.cherry-mag.com
So pretty!!
Love the colour!
http://carlotarules.wordpress.com
Wow this is gorgeous. Do you sell the clothing you make online??
The weather in London is nice TODAY! typically since it’s Easter Weekend for us here in the UK it’s going to, yes you guessed it…..Rain!! ;((
http://bit.ly/1o3SsvM (Vodkaandarose)
That’s really pretty! I would never be brave enough to step outside showing that much skin though – and that’s not a reflection on anything but my own body đ It would be a great beach cover up, though, for me.
This dress is SO adorable — loving the shoulder/sleeve details! And what a sweet and feminine color!
x Sarah
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
Great, simple idea!
http://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
http://www.fashionnotfear.wordpress.com
This looks so beautiful, I’m so loving this! And the shade is gorgeous!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
I really like this! Perfect for summer! X
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
that’s so pretty! Also I would like to have similar sandals, where do you get these?
It looks so basic, in a very positive way – thought it’d be easy to get my hands on them, but no đ
Cannot find anything like that.
Thank you, cheers
Veronika
That is such a cute color, and the dress is so easy to make! đ
Vittoria from 5 IN THE MORNING
http://vittoriafiveinthemorning.blogspot.it/
this is such a cute dress
http://hashtagliz.com
Super cute, love that blush color!
x
StephC
http://sstephcc.blogspot.com/
You look gorgeous, I love how you shot these on a white background! I’m always surprised at how simple your DIYs are, they look similar to expensive brands! Definitely trying this over the summer.
And yes, that color is to die for!
Angelina Is | Bloglovin’
Wow! It looks amazing! You are so talented darling!
Xoxo,
Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
You always make your DIYs look so easy T-T Hahaha if only I were as talented as you were <3 Loving this simple off the shoulder dress!
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
Such a simple and cute DIY! Perfect for the sunny summer days coming soon!!! Thanks for the great idea đ
xx Annie
http://www.somethingswellblog.com/
this is such a cute DIY and i need to try it! i think it would be lovely to have as one of my summer projects. love how you’ve styled it too
xo Sarah
http://absolutelysarahx.blogspot.com
So sweet. Love the colour also. x
http://www.denimdayze.wordpress.com
It is so nice!! Really love it and I would like to try it but I do not know what kind of fabric to use. Could you said me which one did you use? Thank you
This looks lovely and such a great idea! How long a peice of elastic should you use though? And when you say ‘2 x the length round the top of your bust’ do you mean armpit to armpit or should you wrap the tape measure all the way around yourself
And then double the measurement? Thanks!
Geneva, I love your denim skirt in those pictures. Or is it a dress? Lovely DIY, I’d make that dress in black for a night out…
The way you have illustrated here, it looks like such a pretty dress can be made by anybody. You make things so simple & easy. Absolutely love it <3
xoxo Eva | http://www.evakindles.com
super cute and looks easy enough to make! Any tips for ladies with (um-hmmm) fairly large chests? I mean do you think the elastic will be enough to hold up the dress? TIA!
This is incredibly cool and easy!
Cheers from the Philippines!
– Seyra
http://www.pavementsarerunways.com
This is sooooo beautiful!!!!! Definitely trying this out! xox
Love it so much! I need to go back to sewing. As always, you have a great idea. Thanks fo all
More diy fashion please! My creative side is craving sewing again and need more of your beautiful inspo!
This is really gorgeous! Your DIYs always look so flawless. Your sandals are great, too – do you mind sharing where you got them?
And what a sweet and feminine color! http://www.casquettemagasin.com
Love this! Having difficulty with sizing as I make it. What do you mean by doubling the bust? Is it the full measurement of the bust with one side as the front and one as the back or doubling? If I am a 34 all the way around for the bust, is that my measurement?
I’m also having trouble with that particular step! I’m unsure if 34 inches or 68 inches of material must be cut. If you’ve figured this out please let me know!
love off shoulder dress, where can i order tops and deesses that are off shoulder?
what kind of fabric is this?