Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Tea Dress Tutorial

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

  • A sheer or lightweight fabric (I bought 3 yards and had some left over) 
  • Thin Elastic (4mm is what I used) 
  • Lace
  • Sewing Machine
STEP ONE
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.
STEP TWO
Sew up the sides, leaving 9 inches from the top for your arms.
STEP THREE
Sew shoulders (red part) leaving 15 inches in the center for your neck (and head) to go through.
STEP FOUR
Cut the neck. I just did a basic scoop.
STEP FIVE
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. 
STEP SIX
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!
STEP SEVEN
Finishing touches. I added a little pleat to the back right in the middle, and also pleated the shoulders, and added some lace and a flower to the top. 
 WEAR
I plan on making many more of these! I can think of a bunch of cool embellishing ideas...

11 comments:

Rachel said...

You're so creative! But you're right that this project looks rather easy. I've never sewn with elastic before...I've never done a zipper, either. Those are two of the things I'm still scared to attempt in the sewing world!

Malachyte said...

Wow, this really does look easy. Next time I'm in Cburg I think I'll pick up some fabric and elastic and try this out. Your directions are super easy to understand, too! The only part I don't know how to do is a pleat, but it's not really necessary so it doesn't feel in the way.

One Mother Hen said...

You make it look so easy! It probably is but the elastic scares me. I have pinned it though because I may one day actually have a go!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I'll have to try this one - looks like I should be able to adapt the neckline to put in buttons or something for feeding :)

ann said...

This looks great, shame I can't sew a button on a shirt!!

Diana of Diana Rambles said...

It turned out really cute!!

Adorned From Above said...

this is a cute dress and a great tutorial. I have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Wednesday through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/01/week-in-review-and-wednesdays-adorned.html
Debi @ Adorned From Above

Stone Cottage Adventures said...

Oh, how CUTE!! You make it look simple. With your tutorial, I think I can do it! -Marci

Thank you for linking up to The Great Blog Train!
Angie@godsgrowinggarden.com
Marci@stonecottageadventures.com
Helen@blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com

Amanda said...

Love how simple this looks! Would be a fabulous tutorial for using some cute fabrics. Thanks for sharing at I Made It! Monday. Be sure and grab a featured button when you link up this week.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful dress! Great tutorial as well with all the pictures. Thanks for sharing at Hookin On Hump Day.

Adorned From Above said...

Hi Carolynn,
Thanks so much for sharing with Adorned From Above. Sorry it took me so long to get to you but you are one of the featured bloggers at Adorned From Above this week. Here is the link to the post. Head over and you can grab your featured blogger button.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/01/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop.html
Debi