Comments on: Sew a Hot-Looking Dress in a Hour

Sew a Hot-Looking Dress in a Hour

ottereroticist — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:47:56 -0800

Here's a cute dress that doesn't need a pattern, has only one seam, can be worn in about a bzillion different ways, looks great on various body types, and takes only an hour to make.

By: ottereroticist

ottereroticist — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:49:55 -0800

Unfortunately Craftster (third link) is down right now, but there's a 49-page thread there with lots of photos and construction tips.

By: JanetLand

JanetLand — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:56:01 -0800

takes only an hour to make For experienced sewers, perhaps. I would think it would take me, who can only sew buttons and do a bit of embroidery and have never used a sewing machine, somewhat longer. It is cute, though.

By: fleetmouse

fleetmouse — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:12:15 -0800

Thank you. My wife will be thrilled when I present her this link as the last dress she will ever need. Just think! No more time and money wasted shopping! :deep, evil, reverberating laughter:

By: thirteenkiller

thirteenkiller — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:13:28 -0800

Well, that's nice.

By: Flashman

Flashman — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:16:08 -0800

This is what Bjork wore to the MTV awards.

By: wsg

wsg — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:16:56 -0800

Where's a pattern?

By: rhapsodie

rhapsodie — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:23:33 -0800

I could so do this. Thanks!

By: illovich

illovich — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:24:19 -0800

One thing that confuses me about the post is the part about the various body types because the link goes to pictures of the same woman wearing it that is wearing it on the page from the first link. Is saying it looks good on "various body types" a euphemism for "it looks decent girls that aren't 95 pounds and 5'11" tall?

By: zsazsa

zsazsa — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:29:17 -0800

illovich, click through the many pages in that thread and you'll see the various body types.

By: ?!

?! — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:30:38 -0800

illovich: I would say "yes." And since the "pattern" is just based on your (1) height, (2) measurement from bust center to under arm, and (3) waist size anyone with a sewing machine should have the skill to make this dress.

By: tentacle

tentacle — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:30:41 -0800

Thanks, this is neat. I've sent the how-to link to my sewing-goddess mother as a "hint-hint" for a birthday present for moi (she's been hassling me for ideas... I keep telling her she doesn't need to spend money, I would so much more love something that she'd make for me) along with the link to the pricetag of the designer dress for some extra incentive.

By: OmieWise

OmieWise — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:32:57 -0800

That crafster place has a slogan that says "Rock is dead, long live paper and scissors" which seems really violent and mean. I thought hipster craftiness was all about the love. I guess I was wrong.

By: tomplus2

tomplus2 — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:49:17 -0800

This is what Bjork wore to the MTV awards. But do you trust Bjork's taste in dresses?

By: Flashman

Flashman — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:55:28 -0800

See? It's so versatile.

By: evilelvis

evilelvis — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:03:21 -0800

I don't get it but maybe because I am stoned right now, if you cut to make those rectangles and circle, it will look jagged from the cut unless you put more seams around them? I sent it to my girlfriend anyway. She just sewed a belt loop back on my jeans so I think she's ready for this challenge.

By: evilelvis

evilelvis — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:08:11 -0800

upon reading through the crafster.com thread I see that finishing the cut edges is called hemming...but to me that is called complicated. However I am excited to say I am going to read all 49 replies on craftser or some reason.

By: whimsicalnymph

whimsicalnymph — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:11:22 -0800

OOooo. I love this. When my sis and I were little we'd play fashion designer with a tube of jersey fabric that we'd fold and tie and stretch into different dress shapes. It never occured to us to cut it into a more pliable shape. Time to drag the sewing machine out of the closet....

By: riotgrrl69

riotgrrl69 — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:13:00 -0800

splendid

By: Vervain

Vervain — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:27:59 -0800

I don't get it but maybe because I am stoned right now, if you cut to make those rectangles and circle, it will look jagged from the cut unless you put more seams around them? You're mixing up seams (where two pieces of fabric are sewn together) and hems (where the fabric at the edge of a garment is folded over and stitched so the cut edge doesn't show). Since the dress is meant for a stretch knit fabric, you don't necessarily have to hem it, since it doesn't ravel (scroll down) like a woven fabric will. If you take your time and cut the pieces out neatly, it can be a one-seam dress. It'd look very homemade, but technically it's possible. That said, I might have to sew up a variant of this design. There are five yards of stretchy plum jersey kicking around in my fabric stash that would probably work very well...

By: shownomercy

shownomercy — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:40:33 -0800

Yeah a sharp pair of scissors is all that's needed if you don't want to hem the stretch fabric. I like cutting diagonal to the weave which makes it roll up once and then it stays pretty nicely. American Apparel skirts come to mind as an example of this used in industry, so it's not totally a lazy DIY technique . . in the sense that people are still willing to pay $36 for a skirt with no hem.

By: ottereroticist

ottereroticist — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 14:12:01 -0800

One thing that confuses me about the post is the part about the various body types because the link goes to pictures of the same woman wearing it that is wearing it on the page from the first link. Here is a similar dress on plus-size models. Hotcha! And you don't need to spend $195 to get this look.

By: padraigin

padraigin — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 14:21:43 -0800

If you cut the fabric with a rotary cutter as opposed to traditional dressmaker's shears, you'll have a much easier time getting a smooth line without the jagged variation that can result from inexperienced scissoring. I originally saw this dress at the wonderful A Dress A Day blog.

By: 445supermag

445supermag — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 14:31:17 -0800

This is so cool - I am going to see what swimsuit fabric I can find on the discount racks! And, I am going to tell my husband to make the the neck ring for a gift. I probably will also let my college age sister know, she has been searching for the perfect "little black dress" this should fit the bill! Also for those of you who have not sewn in a while/much, you want sharp scissors and a brand new needle for knits so you don't snag the fabric (if you are using swimsuit material as recommended.) Take your time doing the cuts, and like they said you won't need to hem the edges. (Hemming the rectangles might interfere with how well it stretches, and thus the overall performance.) wife of 445supermag

By: jenfullmoon

jenfullmoon — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 14:51:31 -0800

I have got to try this sucker out. Too cool!

By: gagglezoomer

gagglezoomer — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:58:52 -0800

Metafilter: Here's a cool dress you can make

By: shelleycat

shelleycat — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:15:37 -0800

looks great on various body types, I looked through the thread and I wouldn't go that far. More looks frumpy on all kinds of body shapes and when using all kinds of materials too. Even if you get the straps to work, you've still got that flared skirt at the awkward length to contend with.

By: fshgrl

fshgrl — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 22:59:32 -0800

This makes me wish I could sew. I'm hard to fit and my favourite dress is something very similar to this but very dressy and revealing. I'd love to have a casual version. Damn you two left thumbs.

By: liquorice

liquorice — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:52:00 -0800

This makes me glad that I can't sew.

By: carsonb

carsonb — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 01:19:32 -0800

if I had a sewing machine, I would totally make this dress.

By: ClaudiaCenter

ClaudiaCenter — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 01:30:54 -0800

Yikes, um ... not a look for me.

By: essexjan

essexjan — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 01:47:02 -0800

The infomercial for the Infinite Dress has recently started being shown on British TV (Pitchwell TV, a dedicated shopping channel) and to me the dress looks very 1970s, frumpy and unstylish. But then my outfit of choice is jeans-and-a-t-shirt so what do I know?

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 06:59:39 -0800

I found a dress like this in the free box once and was never quite sure how to wear it, it was a perfect dress for burning man.

By: ZachsMind

ZachsMind — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 07:10:33 -0800

Now if only someone could invent the one-seam, do-it-yourself, versatile pair of blue jeans, the world could live in peace and harmony. Everyone! All together now! *singing* I'd like to teach the world to sew-a-cute-dress-that-doesn't-need-a-pattern-has-only-one-seam-can-be-worn-in-a-billion-different-ways-looks-great-on-various-body-types-and takes-only-an-hour-to-make! *inhale* In perfect harmony..!

By: matildaben

matildaben — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 10:06:33 -0800

A dress with no bust support and a halter back so you can't wear a bra under it is not really a plus-size dress in my opinion, unless you're OK with droopage.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 14:15:45 -0800

It's a slog to wade thru but there are several strategies developed in the thread to hide a bra.

By: ottereroticist

ottereroticist — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:36:25 -0800

Whoo! I'm using my $30 to buy leopard-print stretchy fabric! Thanks, Mathowie and Jessamyn!

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:37:11 -0800

Must make this dress. Must make it now.

By: raedyn

raedyn — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 12:58:13 -0800

This looks like something I might even be able to handle. Hmm..