How to Sew a Maxi Dress: Cute Free People Dupe Tutorial

Tools and materials:

• Maxi skirt
• T-shirt or sweatshirt
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine

This is a great project for beginners because the basic design has just one seam sewn with a straight stitch.

You can add detailing in the waist with pleats and gathers if you want - but you don't need to. It looks amazing just as it is. 

I'm showing you two versions, one using a sweatshirt and the other a t-shirt. The principle is the same for both.

This is a great thrift flipping project or, of course, you can use whatever you have in your closet.

Sweatshirt version

1. Prepare the skirt

Remove the elastic or drawstring from the skirt, or cut the waistband off completely.

You need enough width at the top of the skirt to line up with the widest part of the sweatshirt.

2. Cut the sweatshirt

My skirt was slightly wider than the sweatshirt, so I'm going to make a pleat or two at the center back.

Fold the sweatshirt in half lengthways and place the side seams together.

Decide where you want the seam to fall on the sweatshirt and crop it about half an inch below that.

Choose the most flattering seam placement for your body type. I cropped mine close to my true waistline.

As this is a summer maxi dress DIY, cut off the sweatshirt sleeves. Leave the sleeve seams intact on the top.

3. Join top and skirt

Find and mark the center front of the skirt and the sweatshirt.

Place the top edge of the skirt to the lower edge of the sweatshirt with the right sides facing, matching the center front marks. 

Pin them together at the front, keeping both fabrics flat. Take any excess you may have to the center back.

Pin the backs together, making pin tucks either side of the center back to take in the surplus fabric if necessary. 

Sew the top and skirt together with a simple straight stitch.

4. Adjust the fit

When I tried the dress on, I wasn't happy with the final shape around the waistline.

I took in the sides from the underarm and tapered the seam into the existing seam at the top of the first ruffle. I cut off the excess.

T-shirt version

1. Prepare the skirt

The principle is exactly the same as the sweatshirt version, except I wanted to make the most of the t-shirt logo.

The skirt in this case was a fitted skirt with a zipper. I cut off the top section until the skirt was wide enough to go over my hips without a zipper.

2. Cut the t-shirt

I wanted to include all the text on the back of the t-shirt, so I cut the front shorter than the back.

Pick up the t-shirt at the center front and fold it so the side seams are in the middle.

Mark where you want the front and back to finish and cut a slightly rounded shape connecting the two.

3. Join top and skirt

Pin the two together as before, with the right sides facing.

Sew in place.

How to sew a maxi dress: DIY maxi dress

I'd suggest that you start by looking for a cool skirt that you like and then hunt for a t-shirt or sweatshirt that complements it. Maxi skirts are harder to find so it makes sense to let that dictate your design. 

As you can see, the finished result can be any style you want - grungy, romantic, floaty - whatever you like. A perfect way to use up all those too-short t-shirts!

Now I'd really love to see your version of this DIY maxi dress. Please leave me a link in the comments below.

Next, learn How to DIY an Easy Infinity Dress + 11 Ways to Wear It.