How to DIY a Sexy Christmas Dress

Tools and materials:

• Thrifted red velvet dress
• Dress zipper (new or taken from dress)
• Scraps of white velvet
• Pins
• Tape measure
• Seam ripper
• Sewing machine

1. Prepare material

I removed the zipper and turned the dress into a tube by cutting across the top, removing the sleeves in the process.

The original dress basically fitted me, I just didn't like the style.

I measured the length I wanted from above the bust (in my case it was 25 inches), pinned the dress together and cut off the excess.

2. Fitting

When I tried it on, it fitted very well except around the waist. I measured the amount I would need to take in and the length from the top to my waist. 

3. Pin to fit

I needed to take in a maximum of 4 inches on each side, 9 inches down from the top.

I lay the material flat and placed a row of pins across it, 9 inches from the top edge.

I then measured in 4 inches from each side seam and created a gentle curve with the pins above and below this point, from below the bust to above the hips.

I stitched along the curves, right sides together.

4. Insert zipper

I open the back seam with a seam ripper. With the wrong side of the dress facing me, I turned a seam allowance of about half an inch to the wrong side on both seam edges and pinned the open zipper to it.

I hand-sewed the zipper in place first, but I don't recommend that. It really didn't look good on the velvet and I ended up machine stitching on the right side over my hand sewing. 

I cut off the excess fabric at the waist.

5. Add top trim

I cut a strip from the white velvet fabric, 2.5 inches wide and long enough to go around my bust plus a seam allowance on both ends.

I pinned and stitched the right side of the trim to the wrong side of the dress at the top edge, turning in the short edges.

I turned the trim to the right side, turned in a narrow hem at the bottom edge and top stitched the trim to the dress.

6. Add bottom trim

I turned up and stitched the bottom hem.

Then I added the bottom trim in the same way as the top, cutting a strip 3 inches wide and making a seam at the center back.

DIY Christmas dress

I'm delighted with my DIY Santa dress! It fits perfectly and cost me almost nothing.  

I styled it with sheer tights and white shiny boots that I already had.

This is why I love thrift flipping, it's creative and I end up with super cute clothes.

If you'd like to know how to thrift flip other styles, let me know below in the comments.