How to DIY a Cute Bandana Dress
Using bandanas is a quick and inexpensive way to make a summer dress.
This bandana dress DIY takes just 6 bandanas and is a great project for a beginner sewist as it's easy to put together.
You could use all the same design, but I prefer to mix them up.
Tools and materials:
- 6 bandanas
- Lining fabric
- 1/2 inch wide elastic
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing machine
1. Prepare bandanas
Cut each bandana into thirds, so you have 18 pieces in total.
2. Front and back panels
Join 4 pieces together in a strip by sewing the long edges together with the right sides facing. This will be the front skirt panel.
Join another 2 pieces together on the long edges for the front top panel.
Sew the long edge of the top panel centrally to the long side of the skirt panel.
Repeat for the back of the dress.
Press all the seams.
3. Shape the skirt
Place the front and back pieces together with the right sides facing and match all the seams.
Trim the excess material from the sides of the skirt in a curved shape.
Measure from your waist to under your bust and transfer that measurement to the top panel. For me, that figure is 9 inches.
Fold the excess above that to the inside and press.
4. Lining
Lay the dress on top of doubled lining fabric and cut around it.
Sew the front of the dress to the back at the side seams.
Pin the lining to the top edge of the dress with the right sides together and sew.
Turn the dress right side out and tuck the lining inside it.
5. Skirt ruffle
Join 4 of the remaining pieces of bandana into a circle along the short edges, making sure all the finished edges are on the same side.
Trim the excess seam allowance and even up the raw edges.
Run a row of gathering stitches half and inch below the raw edge of the ruffle.
Pull the gathering threads until the ruffle matches the circumference of the bottom of the dress.
Attach the ruffle to the bottom of the skirt, with the right sides facing.
6. Top ruffle
Cut a piece of elastic to fit comfortably around your chest, above your bust.
Sew to the top of the dress on the inside, about 1 inch from the edge.
7. Straps
Cut the last two bandana pieces in half horizontally.
Fold in half lengthways and sew each along the long edge and one short edge. Turn the strips right side out and press.
Pin and sew the open ends to the inside of the top edge of the dress, matching the position of the straps at the front and back.
Tie the straps in a bow to fasten the dress.
Bandana dress DIY
A wide elastic belt looks great with this dress - that's how I like to wear it. It also looks good worn loose as a shift dress.
You can make so many variations of this and each will look different, depending on the bandanas you choose and how you combine them.
Let me know how you get on with it and if you have any questions.
Next, check out my post on How to DIY a Cute Cropped Zip Sweater.
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