Sew a Hot-Looking Dress in a Hour

August 11, 2006 11:47 AM

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.
posted by ottereroticist (37 comments total)

Unfortunately Craftster (third link) is down right now, but there's a 49-page thread there with lots of photos and construction tips.
posted by ottereroticist at 11:49 AM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by JanetLand at 11:56 AM on August 11, 2006

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:
posted by fleetmouse at 12:12 PM on August 11, 2006

Well, that's nice.
posted by thirteenkiller at 12:13 PM on August 11, 2006

This is what Bjork wore to the MTV awards.
posted by Flashman at 12:16 PM on August 11, 2006

Where's a pattern?
posted by wsg at 12:16 PM on August 11, 2006

I could so do this. Thanks!
posted by rhapsodie at 12:23 PM on August 11, 2006

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?
posted by illovich at 12:24 PM on August 11, 2006

illovich, click through the many pages in that thread and you'll see the various body types.
posted by zsazsa at 12:29 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by ?! at 12:30 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by tentacle at 12:30 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by OmieWise at 12:32 PM on August 11, 2006

This is what Bjork wore to the MTV awards.

But do you trust Bjork's taste in dresses?


posted by tomplus2 at 12:49 PM on August 11, 2006

See? It's so versatile.
posted by Flashman at 12:55 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by evilelvis at 1:03 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by evilelvis at 1:08 PM on August 11, 2006

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....
posted by whimsicalnymph at 1:11 PM on August 11, 2006

splendid
posted by riotgrrl69 at 1:13 PM on August 11, 2006

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...
posted by Vervain at 1:27 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by shownomercy at 1:40 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by ottereroticist at 2:12 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by padraigin at 2:21 PM on August 11, 2006

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
posted by 445supermag at 2:31 PM on August 11, 2006

I have got to try this sucker out. Too cool!
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:51 PM on August 11, 2006

Metafilter: Here's a cool dress you can make
posted by gagglezoomer at 3:58 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by shelleycat at 7:15 PM on August 11, 2006

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.
posted by fshgrl at 10:59 PM on August 11, 2006

if I had a sewing machine, I would totally make this dress.
posted by carsonb at 1:19 AM on August 12, 2006 [1 favorite]

Yikes, um ... not a look for me.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 1:30 AM on August 12, 2006

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?
posted by essexjan at 1:47 AM on August 12, 2006

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.
posted by jessamyn at 6:59 AM on August 12, 2006

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..!
posted by ZachsMind at 7:10 AM on August 12, 2006

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.
posted by matildaben at 10:06 AM on August 12, 2006

It's a slog to wade thru but there are several strategies developed in the thread to hide a bra.
posted by Mitheral at 2:15 PM on August 12, 2006

Whoo! I'm using my $30 to buy leopard-print stretchy fabric! Thanks, Mathowie and Jessamyn!
posted by ottereroticist at 8:36 PM on August 12, 2006

Must make this dress. Must make it now.
posted by Lucinda at 8:37 PM on August 12, 2006

This looks like something I might even be able to handle. Hmm..
posted by raedyn at 12:58 PM on August 14, 2006