How to Make a Summer Dress from a Sheet

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Have you spotted a summer dress that doesn't fit your budget? Create a dress starting from a sheet, modeling it according to the style of your choice without wasting any money! This guide contains instructions for making a dress with a zipper in the back and two ties to tie behind the neck.

Steps

Part 1 of 6: Designing the Dress

Step 1. Take your measurements

Do it without clothes to get more accurate measurements.

• Measure your waist by wrapping the tape measure around it.
• Measure the distance between your waist and where you want the hem of the skirt to arrive. For example, take the measurement just above the knee, or below it depending on the length you prefer.
• Check the distance between the waist and the shoulder.

• Wrap the tape measure around the fullest point of the bust, then around the bust.

  

  Step 2. Choose the sheet

  If the fabric is transparent, then you may want to use 2 layers for the dress. Alternatively, you can use the sheet together with a cover, perhaps in cotton.

  

  Step 3. Choose the thread to use for the seams

  Try a white or neutral color that blends in with the color of the fabric.

  

  Step 4. Untie the sheet with a seam ripper

  • Use the seam ripper every two or three stitches. Then, pull the thread off using your fingers, without the seam ripper.
  • If you are using a fitted sheet with elasticated corners, fold it in four parts and cut the elastic around the perimeter.

  

  Step 5. Iron the sheet where the seams were

  If there are any rather large holes left in the fabric, cut the hem to eliminate them, otherwise when you put on the dress they will show and ruin the effect. Keep the fabric, you can reuse it later to create the straps.

  Part 2 of 6: Cut out the skirt

  

  Step 1. Create the skirt pattern

  • Draw a semicircle on a sheet of paper. The length of the semicircle must match that of your waist plus 5 centimeters for the seam.
  • Draw a straight line from the left base of the semicircle to the outer edge of the paper. The length of this line should match that of the skirt, plus 5 centimeters for the seam.
  • Draw another line on the right side. This second line must be as long as the first.
  • Draw another semicircle rejoining the end of the left line with that of the right line.

  

  Step 2. Spread the pattern on the sheet and cut out the shape of the skirt following the edges

  To make this step easier, rest the straight edge of the sheet over that of the fabric.

  

  Step 3. Turn the cut fabric inside out, then lay it on the lining fabric, pinning it

  This way, you will prevent the fabric from wrinkling or shifting when cutting.

  

  Step 4. Cut the lining in the same shape as the skirt

  Part 3 of 6: Making the Straps

  

  Step 1. Cut a strip of fabric 7.5 centimeters wide

  Alternatively, if you have cut the edges of the sheet, you can use the fabric previously stored.

  

  Step 2. Lay the fabric on a flat surface, taking care to face the straight side up

  Fold one hem (lengthwise) together at the other end so that the wrong side of the fabric is visible.

  

  Step 3. Use pins to pin the hems together

  

  Step 4. Sew the hems with the sewing machine

  

  Step 5. Fold the fabric to join the unsewn ends

  Cut it in half along the crease.

  

  Step 6. Turn the two fabric cylinders inside out and set them aside

  They will be used to create the laces of the dress.

  Part 4 of 6: Sew the bodice

  

  Step 1. Trace the bodice pattern on a large sheet of paper

  The drawing doesn't have to be perfect because you'll need to make some changes after trying it out.

  • Draw a line equal to the distance between the shoulder and the waist. Add 5 centimeters for the seam.
  • Measure the distance between the hips and the fullest part of the bust, which is the bust. Measure this same length on the line you just drew, starting at the bottom end. Mark the position of the breast on the line with a dot.
  • Draw another line through the dot you just marked. Its length should be equal to 1/4 of the width of the bust plus 5 centimeters for the seam and the dot should be in the middle of this line.
  • At the base of the line that traces the distance between the shoulder and the waist, draw another line perpendicularly that should be 1/4 of the waist measurement plus 5 centimeters for the seam.
  • Roughly trace the front of the bodice. Draw it as if you are looking at it from the side. Curve the sides slightly inward to give it a natural shape.

  • Also make a sketch of the back. The design should be roughly the same size as the front, but without the top.

    

    Step 2. Cut the pattern pieces

    

    Step 3. Lay them on top of the fabric

    Cut out two front pieces and two back pieces.

    

    Step 4. Secure the bodice parts to the lining fabric using pins

    Then, cut out two front pieces and two back pieces following the edges.

    

    Step 5. Pin the four parts of the bodice together using pins

    • Put the two front pieces together with the seam marked in the middle with pins.
    • Use the pins to pin a 30.5cm zipper to the back. Attach the edge of the zipper to the shorter sides of each back piece.
    • Attach the back of the bodice to the front.

    Step 6. Wear the bodice inside out

    This way, you will avoid pricking yourself with pins.

    • If necessary, adjust the position of the pins so that the bodice fits well.
    • Check the zipper to make sure it rests on your back without creating any bumps.
    • If you prefer, fold the seam under the bust and do the same along the waist. For now, ignore the part above the breasts as you will fix it later.

    • Take off the bodice and try it on after making the initial changes. Keep trying it again until it fits you perfectly.

      

      Step 7. Sew the sides of the bodice, except the zipper

      For now, leave it pinned on.

      Part 5 of 6: Putting the Dress Together

      

      Step 1. Make the skirt

      • Sew the sheet together with the lining along the bottom edge of the skirt (the widest part of the semicircle) with the fabric of the sheet facing inward.

      • Remove the pins and turn the skirt inside out.

        

        Step 2. Pin the bottom of the skirt

        Remove 2 from the zipper, so you can compare the edge of the skirt with that of the bodice. Sometimes it happens that the fabric of the skirt is abundant, so cut off the excess parts.

        

        Step 3. Add 4 pleats to the top of the skirt, ie 2 in front and 2 in back

        Make sure the pleats are small, otherwise the skirt will not go down well, looking too boxy.

        • Pay attention: the folds must be evenly distributed over the skirt. Use the tape measure to make sure the distance between them is the same.
        • Take the fabric and start folding it to the right as if you were making a fan. Pin it to hold it in place.
        • Iron the folds to make them more precise.

        • Sew the folds with a descending seam. Stop at the point where you want the skirt to stretch freely.

          

          Step 4. Sew the skirt to the bodice

          Before starting, make sure the dress is inside out so that the seams are less visible.

          

          Step 5. Add the zipper

          Sew the back of the zipper to the skirt about 6mm from where it would end. Put the last points to fix it.

          Part 6 of 6: Completing the Project

          

          Step 1. Put on the dress and place your hand on the excess fabric above the breast

          • Fold the extra fabric in or out, then pin it in place.
          • To get a wavy neckline, pin the fabric inward.

          • For a V-neck, pin it to the outside.

            

            Step 2. Take off the dress and sew the pieces into place

            Sew the folds by hand, so the seams will be less noticeable.

            

            Step 3. Fold down the raw hems of the bodice around the sleeve opening

            Pin the fabric and then sew it.

            

            Step 4. Take the straps you sewed earlier

            Fold the edge in just a little bit.

            Step 5. Use pins to attach the straps to the top corners of the bodice

            Hold the fold in place to make sure it doesn't move. Fold the fabric of the bodice inside the tubular parts and pin it in place.

            Step 6. Sew the tubular pieces to the fabric

            Step 7. Put on the dress

            Tie the laces around your neck and lift the zipper.