. . . for Lauren and Lauren: DIY Maxi Dress - Round 2

August 5, 2012

DIY Maxi Dress - Round 2

(I apologize for the extremely tired face. It was too early to be taking pictures.)


Earlier this summer I made this maxi dress
The directions said it would take 30 minutes, but ended up taking me over two hours.  
Now this skirt probably was a little more than 30 minutes, but definitely easier than the last one. 

 All you need is an old tank top & 2 yards of knit/jersey fabric.
(I guess your tank top doesn't have to be old. Mine definitely was.)

First cut your tank top, leaving about an inch more than you want to show on your dress.

Then take your two yards of fabric and cut off one of the sides to make it as wide as you'd like it. 

(What I wish I would have done here is lay a maxi skirt that I like on top and cut out the sides, using it as a pattern.  I ended up having to take mine in around the waist after I was done.  It would have been much easier to do that here.)

Using a zigzag stitch sew up both sides of your rectangle. 


I tried mine on and it was way to wide.  I could have done a gathered stitch around the waist, which would've work.  But instead I just cut the extra off and sewed the side again. 

If you want your skirt more gathered around the waist (and then it would be looser the rest of the length) you can follow this tutorial here.

Next slide your tank top inside your skirt. 


Then pin your tank top to your skirt. 
Now my skirt was still a little wider than my tank top.
(This is where a doing a gathered/ruffled stitch would help).
But I just folder over the fabric - like little pleats and pinned it down. 

Sew around the circle, using a zigzag stitch. 

And turn it inside out.
Since it is knit fabric you don't need to hem it, although I may end up doing it later. 

And that's it!
I also think I will end up wearing it with a belt too. 
(Which comes in handy to cover up any mistakes on the waist line!) 


I'm always a little nervous doing a sewing tutorial, as I am no expert, so let me know if something doesn't make sense!

Hope you all had a good weekend!



50 comments:

Alana Christine said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Seriously, can you just make all of my clothes for me?

Erin James said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This is brilliant! i LOVE your style.

Jess said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This turned out SO GOOD! I love it! And it looks even better with the belt! I wish I could sew :)

xoxox

Allyson McGuire said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This is too cute! I have really been wanting to try my hand at sewing a maxi skirt, but I'm so scared!

still being [molly] said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

oh my GOSH katie this is so awesome. i REALLY wish i could sew...

Lauren said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

So cute! I am going to borrow this dress along with the other 100 dresses that you own. :)

Chrissy + Nate said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This is gorgeous!!! Love the red paired with the white tank top and that brown belt totally pulls the entire look together!

Kristen said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh my goodness...SO cute!!! I especially love it with the belt!!!!

Amanda Raborn said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

LOVE this- so cool! You are quite the crafty one in the summers missy!

ps. How'd you get your "pin it" button to work!?!?!

Amanda
It's an Easy Life

Ariel Tyler Henley said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

SO cute! Super impressed! Love it with the belt, too!!

Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Hey Mrs Talented! You did a great job and that flower belt looks adorable with the dress.

Simply LKJ said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

OMGoodness, that is darling! My girls would love it. Mom REALLY needs to dust off the sewing machine! When do you report back to school? The kids here start tomorrow. Sooooo thankful we have an extra week before heading to Texas!

Elisabeth Gee said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh my goodness! Cutest maxi skirt EVER! I really love it with the belt! :)

Kirsten Wiemer said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

looks awesome!

Brittany said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This is beautiful! You did amazing!

Caitlin C. said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I cannot believe you did this yourself!!! AWESOME job! You look beautiful :)

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

this is amazing! i love love love the way it turned out! despite your phenomenal instructions, i want to pay you to make me one :)

Lauren said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

What a clever way to repurpose some old items. Awesome job!!

Katie @ My Darling Days said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Gorgeousness!!! Love it with the belt too, great job Katie!

TaraMixandMatch said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Wow, you made this, so awesome! It looks amazing with the belt!

Annie L said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Wow, this looks amazing...Would never guess it was DIY!!
xo Annie
newenglandromance.blogspot.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

I love the dress :) Your soo pretty .

Annie said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Cuuuuuuuuuuute! Looks great Katie, love it with the belt :)

Annie
The Other Side of Gray

two birds said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

i think it all makes perfect sense, and you did a great job! and the dress looks fantastic on you!

Because Shanna Said So said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You are a sewing machine!! LOL! Get it?? ;) Seriously though, I need to learn your skills! This is so stinkin' adorable! Love it!
Shanna
Giveaway @ Because Shanna Said So

Melissa said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Found you from your #YOLO Monday link! I did a maxi dress tutorial post today too! How awesome!

ACT said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Wow, you make it look so easy! Just found your blog and love it!

xo Ashley
http://www.ashnfashn.com

Amy said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

omg, I would have never thought of that. great look and blog!

http://coffeebeansandbobbypins.blogspot.com/

Kristin said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

My husband dreams that I could do stuff like this. Maybe someday...
I think it looks great. I love that it has more shape than a lot of the maxi dresses in the stores.

Kelsey said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR BLOG UNTIL NOW?!!!! your fashion sense is about to rub off on me....hopefully. :) love you KJ!!

Shay said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

That is SUCH a cute idea, Lauren! You look adorable!

Beth @ The Goad Abode said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

It turned out so well! I wish I was better with a sewing machine :)

~julee~ said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Love it!

henning love said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

this is so cute, you are a wizard on the sewing machine!! i love the belt you added to it for an extra floral touch.

Always Maylee said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh wow, you did a fabulous job! It looks so cute on you!

xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee

Anonymous said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This is amazing -- what a great idea and a good way to repurpose an old tank! I love this -- you look great!

Stephanie

Jessica said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

That is such a cute dress! Good job! Where did you get the belt?

http://hopefaithandblessings.blogspot.com/

CC said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Great job! Love it with the belt. ;) You look amazing. ;)

Kathryn said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Adorable! Love it with the belt!
xo, Katie

Anonymous said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

what a cute and simple idea. I can't wait to try!

Hayley

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Your DIY maxi looks so good! Who knew you were a clothing designer :)

http://www.daisyraeboutique.com
http://www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com

Sara SHOEmaker said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

wow you Made that?? It looks amazing. So sleek and fits you so well! This is such a good idea, thanks for the diy!


Giveaway!! atThe House of Shoes

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Wow! The dress turned out great! Must have something to do with you being a great sewer...not sure it would turn out like this if I attempted it :) But I just might!!

Sarah
smalltowncatwalk.blogspot.ca

Faith said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

You are so amazing! Wow! It looks amazing! I really love it with the belt too!

Emmett Katherine said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Very creative DIY, it turned out so well! That brown belt just pulls it all together. You look fabulous- what tired face?!

Vicki said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This is such an awesome idea! I'm short so maxi's are not in my comfort zone,but I love this idea. And I love it with the belt! I found you via the blog hop btw, I'm a new follower :)

Sugarr2518 said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

The maxi is just too cute~! I love how you made the maxi what a neat idea:) The belt really pulls it altogether!!!

Mary Lindsey said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

This is an awesome DIY!

-Mary @ stylethatmoves.blogspot.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh honey...that belt is the greatest addition ever. What a nice maxi. I love how it turned out!

http://thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com

Dillon Lee said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Hello,
This above post is just awesome along with beautiful Maxi Dresses...I loved this dress and making procedure... Nice post dear. Thank you too much.......