How to Easily Make a Dress From Pants in 5 Simple Steps

Tools and materials:

• Extra-large pants
• Measuring tape/ruler
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Marking or tailor’s chalk
• Pins

1. Take measurements

This is an important step that helps me know how much fabric I need. 

I will need these measurements: bust, waist, and hips. Then, I need the top of the bust to the waist, the waist to the hip measurement, as well as the length from the waist down.  

My bust is 36 inches, my waist is 27.5 inches, and my hips are 40 inches. This means my dress must fit across these measurements, plus have at least ½ an inch or more for seam allowance.

I measured from the top of my bust to my waist as 12 inches, and waist to hip as 9 inches. Your measurements may be similar or not, but they are really important to get before you start cutting!

2. Make the pattern

Fold the pants in half lengthwise and pull the crotch out as far as possible. Draw a straight line across the top at the widest part of the pulled-out crotch.

Cut across the line.

The fabric I’m using is a stretchy sort of seersucker. It has beautifully sewn seams so I’m keeping these.

Cut the inner seams of the legs which are sewn wider for the crotch area, keeping the straight outer side seams intact.

You should have two pieces with a narrow top and a bit of a flare on the bottom. Lay the front and back right sides together. 

Fold them in half lengthwise, with the hem of the pants at the very top. 

My bust is 36 inches, so my top measurement on these folds should be at least 9 inches at the hem line.

Measure the waist and hip measurements, divide by 4, and add ½ an inch of seam allowance all around. Mark the curve from the waist to the hips.

Trim according to the measurements. 

3. Sew up the dress

Pin and then sew up the side seams using a straight stitch. 

I tried it on to see the fit and realized I needed to take it in a bit at the top to make it fit better.

4. Make the straps

You need to make straps to hold the dress up properly. Measure the length over your shoulders. Using the leftover fabric, I measured two 14-inch long by 1½-inch wide strips. 

Fold the strips in thirds so the right sides are inside: fold in half way, then fold the other half in halfway, and then fold the strip over all the way along the entire length of the strip. Do not sew the short ends. Pin in place and sew with a straight stitch. 

5. Finish the dress

Mark the shoulder area for the straps. Sew the spaghetti straps onto the wrong side of the dress. 

Double fold the hem, pin in place, and sew with a straight stitch.

This dress made from pants is done!

How to make a dress from pants tutorial

I’m so thrilled with how it came out! I hope this helped teach you how to turn pants into a dress. I love this DIY summer dress that cost so little and looks so cute! Let me know in the comments what you think and if you’re planning to make a dress out of pants!