- 1). Lay out the fabric on a large working surface and use a pattern to cut out the top of the dress. Alternatively, place a tight-fitting deep-V tank top on top of the fabric and trace ½-inch away from the edges. Cut out the shape and make a second cutout using the first as a template. You can use a full-length or halter-length tank top to make the cut out because the bottom will be covered with fabric for the skirt.
- 2). Place the pieces of fabric together on your working surface with the good sides facing inward. Measure from the top of your shoulder to 1 inch below your bust line and transfer this measurement onto the fabric, adding an additional 1 inch. Cut the excess fabric below the bust line measurement.
- 3). Pin the sides of the fabrics together and sew a side seam. Be sure to backstitch over the ends of the seams.
- 4). Fold over 1/4 inch of fabric along the deep-V neckline on the front and back of the upper portion of the dress. Sew the fold in place to make a smooth neckline.
- 5). Measure the circumference of just underneath your bust line and add 1 inch to this number. Draw this length across the top of another piece of fabric and find the middle of the line.
- 6). Measure the distance from just underneath the bust line to the length you would like the dress. Add 1 inch to this number. Measure down this distance from the middle point of the line on the fabric and use a fabric pen to make a dot.
- 7). Add 20 percent to the circumference measurement for a close-fitting dress or 50 to 75 percent for an A-line dress. Draw this line through the dot on the fabric with half on each side of the dot. Connect the top and bottom lines with a line down each side. Cut out the shape.
- 8). Fold the shape in half with the good sides inward and sew the long length of the dress closed. Fold over ½ inch at the bottom of the dress and sew to make a hemline.
- 9). Slide the skirt of the dress over top of the upper portion of the dress. Pin the two pieces together and sew a seam to join the pieces.
- 10
Cut a 3-inch-wide piece of ribbon to the circumference of just underneath your bust line plus ½ inch. Wrap the ribbon around the dress to hide the joining seam. Pin the ribbon and sew it in place. Make the ends of the ribbons connect at the back center of the dress. - 11
Cut an 18-inch-long piece of the same ribbon. Tie it in a bow. Pin the bow to the back of the dress over top of the ribbon edges and sew it in place.
Source...