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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
3h00

so easy, it hurts!
I really love my new dress! Even if you don't know anything about sewing, you can make this! It is super easy!

You Will Need

1) 3-4 yards of a a sheer or lightweight fabric (
2) Thin Elastic (4mm is what I used)
3) Lace
4) Sewing Machine

Posted by moonofsilver from Dillwyn, Virginia, United States • Published See moonofsilver's 23 projects »
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  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 1
    Step 1

    Cut two rectangles. They should be from top to bottom as long as you want the dress, and from side to side 4.5 inches larger then your hips.

  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 2
    Step 2

    Sew up the sides, leaving 8 inches from the top for your arms. (or less or more inches depending on what you need. lay a loose tank on top to see)

  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 3
    Step 3

    Sew shoulders (red part) leaving 15 inches in the center for your neck (and head) to go through

  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 4
    Step 4

    Cut the neck. I just did a basic scoop.

  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 5
    Step 5

    This is where you add the waist. Put your "sack" on and mark where you want your waist to cinch. I sewed three lines of elastic. You pull the elastic as you sew it on. You can also use a casing for the elastic if wanted, or use elastic thread in your bobbin. You want the middle piece of elastic to be where your waist mark is. Then sew one above and one below! You should try to sew them in as straight a line as possible, clearly I failed a bit in this.

  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 6
    Step 6

    Finishing touches. I pleated the shoulders, and added some lace and a flower to the top

  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 7
    Step 7

    I added a little pleat to the back right in the middle, to give it more shaping.

  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 8
    Step 8

    This is when I french seamed the neck, arms, and hem. Fold your seam over, sew, and then fold it over again (encasing the raw edge) and sew again.

  • How to make a shift dress. Easy Elastic Dress - Step 9
    Step 9

    Wear! :)

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Comments

Glenda A.
Glenda A.
I love this tutorial. You turned what would have been just a basic sack dress into a more custom fitted one with the gathers and pleats. Thank you so much. Now I am going through my material to see which ones I can make this with.
moonofsilver
moonofsilver · Dillwyn, Virginia, US · 25 projects
hope it works for you! It's super fun Happy
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