How to Make Your Own Off-the-Shoulder Dress Out of a High-Neck Dress

Tools and materials:

• Long-sleeved dress
• Cutting board
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Ruler
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Fabric clips or pins
• Elastic

If you look at the before and after pictures, you’ll be amazed at the result. So, let’s kickstart this tutorial, and I’ll show you how to do this yourself! 

Step 1 - Measure

Lay your dress down flat and measure how much fabric you need to take off. So, grab your ruler and measure from the shoulder seam down to the collarbone area. 

Step 2 - Cut

Place your ruler horizontally and see precisely where you’d like to trim off the shoulder part. When you’re happy with the measurement, cut away!

I’m using a cutting board with marking lines as this helps me get the right angle and measurement.

Now, when you get to the arm area, place your ruler at a diagonal angle, going upward. I don’t use an exact measurement here, and I literally go with the flow on this step. 

Step 3 - Create an elastic casing

Turn the dress right sides in, and fold the new hem by 0.5 inches. Do this twice if your fabric is thin, like mine. This is to make sure I have a nice finish. 

Now use fabric pins and pin all around as you fold the hem. 

Next, do a topstitch to secure the fold in place. Topstitch it right on the edge. 

Step 4 - Feed the elastic

Now that your tunnel is complete, the next step is to insert the elastic. Attach two safety pins on either end of the elastic and feed them through the casing. 

Then, cut the elastic and topstitch the openings. 

How to make your own off the shoulder dress

We’re done! Talk about an impressive revamp. This is how you make your own off-the-shoulder dress out of a high-neck dress. Easy, right? It looks fabulous and so elevated.

I love how straightforward this off-shoulder dress tutorial is; even beginners can give it a go! What do you think of this trendy transformation? Let me know in the comments below!