Cute And Easy Strapless Summer Dress

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• 

  Step 1

  First you will need to take your measurements. Measure around the biggest part of your bust line. You will need twice that length in the fabric you want to use. (I picked yellow.)

  For example if your bust measures 34 inches (which mine does not ;) ) you will need 68 inches of fabric.

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  Step 2

  I cut my fabric into two equal lengths (ex. 34 inches each) This way I had a seam under each arm so I could get everything situated when I put on the dress. You can also just fold it in half. Match up the two pieces, pretty side facing each other, and sew up the sides.

  You should basically end up with a huge tube.

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  Step 3

  Next, you will need to make a seam at what will be the top of your dress. It should still be inside out, so take about an inch of fabric along the edge and fold it towards you. I did this the whole top edge and pinned it as I went along. Sew this fold down, making sure you leave enough room between your stitches and the top of the dress for the elastic. Stop sewing about an inch before your thread will meet the place you began stitching. You need a space to stick the elastic through. (Holy cow that was confusing, sorry. Just make a wide enough hem for the elastic, and leave a gap in your seem.)

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  Step 4

  Measure yourself from where you want the top of your dress to the bottom of your bust. Make sure to measure over a breast, keeping the ruler formed to you, not down the middle or your dress won't come up very high, which could result in unforseen peep shows. For example, on me this measurement was 10 inches.

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  Step 5

  Next you'll need a 1 to 2 inch strip ( I just cut mine from the bottom) of fabric. Measure from the top of the dress to the length you just measured (10 inches for example.) and pin you're strip of fabric to the dress here, all the way around. (the dress should still be inside out) You'll sew along this strip twice. For the first line, sew close to the top edge of the strip.

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  Step 6

  Next sew another seam, making sure you leave enough room for the elastic.

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  Step 7

  Find the space where the ends of your strip meets. This is where you will thread the elastic.

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  Step 8

  Fasten a safety pin through the end of your elastic, and stick it in the hole.

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  Step 9

  Push as much fabric onto the safety pin as you can, grab the end of it, and pull. This can be tedious, but a few inches at a time you will get your elastic through. Do this for the bust line, and for the top of the dress. Once you get it theaded all the way through, I recomend safety pinning the ends of the elastic together.

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  Step 10

  Pull on your dress. (Its getting there I promise.) Grab the ends of your elastic, and pull untill you're sure its tight enough to keep the dress up. Once you've gotten it right, move the safety pin to keep the elastic the right length.

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  Step 11

  Take off the dress, trim any (now) excess elastic, and sew the ends of the elastic together. Make sure you sew them really well so they don't pop apart when you're moving around. Sew up the hole in your top seam. Don't worry about the bust line.

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  Step 12

  Move the fabric around the elastic till it seems evenly disbursed, and all thats left to do is trim the dress to the length you want it and hem it up. All done :)

  I hope I didn't confuse the crap out of anyone, and I hope you like your dress :)

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Posted by

Rachel L.

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Ciel_Phantomhive13 · 8 projects 1st July 2013

This is so cool! I'm using this as a part of my cosplay! What type of fabric did you use? Or what would you recommend? something light weight, but not too thin that it would be see through?

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ely d. 27th June 2012

I am sooo ready to make this dress & a version for my daughter too! thank you very much for the details & the pictures- I am average height & busty its not always easy to find nice fit in summer dresses. =)

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ItooCrafty · Niagara Falls, New York, US 1st June 2012

Thank you thank you thank you for sharing this with lots of details and being all normal size! *bear hugs* Really eaggered to do this as I LOATH the summer and sweating!

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Dessenoire L. · Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, MX · 1 project 28th May 2012

I´m a girl with a big front (i mean big) i love this dress!!!

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OverlordSayo · Fussa, Tokyo, JP 24th April 2012

I *LOVE* the detail in the tutorial! It really looks easy. Japan has very cute clothing, but it's all so expensive and most of them so simple that I know I can make them myself. I might just use your tutorial to make lots of dresses for this summer!

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Nicole H. 9th April 2012

I love what you've created! Way to take matters into your own hands and create something beautiful for yourself - great tutorial too. Very clear and the pictures help the maker to understand where in the process you should be.

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Rosalie K. · Emporia, Kansas, US · 13 projects 1st August 2011

Not yet, I'm working on some right now though, but they're all kind of laying in pieces. I'm glad you could rescue the fabric

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Naomi T. · Mississauga, Ontario, CA 28th July 2011

Hi again,
I tried to follow a number of instructions to make that infinity dress but ended up in tears. Just went through my favourites and saw this pattern...All is not lost with the fabric. Thank you again....anymore patterns yet?

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Amanda Wicked · Sacramento, California, US 28th June 2011

Thank you for this tutorial! I'm short and have a large chest so I can never find cute summer dresses like this that actually fit me, but I can customize this dress. Thank you, thank you!!!

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Rosalie K. · Emporia, Kansas, US · 13 projects 28th May 2011

Not really since you use enough to go around yourself twice, you can use whatever fabric you have handy

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