A few weeks ago I stopped in
Old Navy during their 40% off sale and ran across this
white strapless eyelet dress. It was on super sale, and the fabric was super sturdy and nice, so I had to snag it. And instantly I had plans to make it into a skirt. And as luck would have it, it was
way easier to refashion that I even expected. This was a thirty minute quick fix.
Also, I know many of you guys like step by step photos of my tutorials more than my illustrations because they’re easier to follow, but 95% of my sewing is done at 2am so pictures aren’t doable. But since this was such a fast project, I was able to whip it up during quiet time and snap pictures as I went along. So hopefully it’s nice and clear!
click “Read More” to find the full tutorial!
Materials:
matching thread
*this tutorial will work on any dress with a fit and flare shape and either a side or back zipper!
Step 1. My dress was oversized, so I needed to take in the sides. If you do too, try it on and use tailors chalk to mark how much you need to cut off.
Step 2. Cut according to your marks, making sure to keep the flare shape as you cut. Your dress should now be open like in the photo below.
Step 3. With right sides together, match up your lining and fabric and pin them all together. Also make sure the waistband seams and the bottom of the hem are both matched up. Sew from the hem to about four inches above the waistline, then zigzag or serge the seam allowance.
Step 4. Since your zipper goes up higher than you want, you’ll need to make a custom zipper stop. Set your machine to a zigzag stitch with the stitch width as high as it will go and the length as low as it will go (mine was at 0.2). This will create a back and forth stitch that will create your custom zipper stop. Just go back and forth over and over in the same spot, creating a thick loop of stitching. Make sure you do it on both sides of the zipper teeth. Now you can cut you zipper about one centimeter above this custom stop.
I wanted my waistband about two inches tall, so I made my zipper stop 2″ up from the waistband seam.
Step 5. Cut off the top of your dress, leaving about four inches (if you want a two inch tall waistband). Zigzag or serge the raw edges of the cut you just made.
Step 6. Now fold the waistband in half, pinning it to the waistband seam allowance inside. Tuck in the ends of the waistband next to the zipper so the ends don’t hang out.
Sew the ends next to the zipper in place, and then sew around the entire waistband, securing it to the waistband’s seam allowance. Press it flat with your iron.
The inside of your skirt waistband should now look like this:
And the outside of your waistband should look like this! So easy, right?
I used this same idea with a dress I didn’t like the length of last summer! Thanks for sharing. I really love the way it turned out.
This is such a great DIY once again! A skirt like this one is a must have in my closet every Summer. 🙂
http://lartoffashion.com
I so agree — it’s perfect for summer!
Another great DIY. Can’t wait it try it out.
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
I love this skirt! The texture is so gorgeous!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Adorable! Your flats are so cute.
Genius! I would never think to do this! I’m 5’10” so I pass up a lot of cute dresses because most are too short, but this just opened up a whole new world for me! Thanks!
So glad!
I have a strapless cocktail dress that I love, and wore it with a little sequined short sleeved cropped cardi, but I keep fantasizing of ways to make it not strapless and not need the cardi. Got any magic for that up your sleeve? That might be the tutorial that makes me pull out the sewing machine, bc I occasionally need to wear cocktail attire, and this is too pretty to give up.
I added big thick straps that became cap sleeves to a couple of my prom dresses in high school. Just cut strips of fabric about 7 or 8 inches wide, hem each side, and then sew the ends to the inside of your dress on the front and back. I’d recommend doing a little gather along the end of each strap before you sew it to the inside of the dress so you don’t get puckering around your armpits. Hope that helps!
But what did you do about the height in the back and the zipper? The dress is only just above my bra strap in the back, which is too low. I’m a very visual person. Can you share pictures? Or a tutorial 🙂 I can’t be the only one with this problem. I bought the dress from Ann Taylor. It is a beautiful deep red/wine color satin. I’m sure it’s impossible to match, so I would probably choose black for the sleeves/straps? I found a picture of the dress here: https://www.tradesy.com/weddings/bridesmaids-dresses-and-mobs/ann-taylor-dress-1524928/?utm_campaign=CA_Google+Shopping&utm_content=Weddings+%3E+Bridesmaids+Dresses+%26+MOBs+%3E+Traditional+%3E+Ann+Taylor&utm_medium=pla&utm_source=gpl&utm_term=ann+taylor+red+dress&gclid=Cj0KEQjw_YKtBRC7zZjFp8bF_foBEiQAfyigcxRZggncyprnVU3usKt3MU-1T32KbxoJqnAd6Y9hbMgaAoXs8P8HAQ
You are easily one of my favorite bloggers!! I love all your DIY’s, they are so straight forward and easy to follow!!
-Carolanna, www,girlmeetsbrave.com
you are so sweet! Thanks for your nice comment!
Brava! Oh how I adore white eyelet in the Spring/Summer!
Love the eyelet fabric! Looks great!! Your DIY are great!!
this looks so great as a skirt! I wouldn’t even be able to tell it was once a dress<3
CinderellaStandard.com
Love the crossbody! I’m probably going to purchase it at the Nordies’ sale. Are you wearing the blue or grey color?
I love the DIY! Great post!
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
Amazing skirt and I love your sunnies!
x
Emily Jenny
StilettoBeats