Incredible Gold DIY Metallic Dress Tutorial
This gold metallic dress is one of my favorite items I’ve made this year.
The sewing itself is very straightforward and suitable for a beginner and you don’t even need a formal dress pattern.
I used a stretch satin. If you’re a complete beginner, you might want to try it with an easier fabric the first time.
The measurements given fit European size 38.
Tools and materials:
- 72 inch (180 cm) wide satin fabric
- Fabric marker
- Ruler
- Measuring tape
- Pins
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Narrow hemmer foot (optional)
1. Cut out the bodice
Cut a rectangle of fabric 23 inches (58 cm) wide and 60 inches (152 cm) long.
Fold it in half widthways and in half again, and lay it flat with the folded edge towards you.
Measure 2 inches (5 cm) along the folded edge and 5 inches (12 cm) from that edge up the side edge and join the marks with a curve, to shape the neckline.
Mark the shoulder width 1 inch (2.5 cm) along the edge opposite the fold, and join it with a straight line to the edge of the neckline.
Measure 9 inches (23 cm) from the outer shoulder down the long edge.
Make another mark 11 inches (28 cm) from the folded edge up the other short edge and join the two points with a curved line for the side and underarm seam.
Cut out the basic bodice shape. Cut off the short folded edge and separate the two parts.
Fold one of the bodice parts in half lengthways and cut a curve from the side seam to the bottom edge to shape the bodice front.
Fold the back in half lengthways and cut 4 inches (10 cm) from the lower edge.
2. Sew the bodice
Place the two pieces together with the right sides facing. Sew the shoulder and side seams.
Snip the armhole curves and finish all the raw edges with a serger or overlock stitch on your machine.
Turn in a narrow hem around the neck and sew it in place.
Finish the front curved edge in the same way.
Sew a row of gathering stitches along the back edge and gather it to a width of 16.5 inches (42 cm). Tie off the long thread ends.
3. Join the bodice to the skirt
Cut a rectangle of fabric 47 inches (120 cm) long by 55 inches (140 cm) wide for the skirt.
Mark the center top edge of the skirt and the center of the bodice back.
Pin the back to the top edge of the skirt, matching the center marks, with the right sides together. Sew in place.
Fold the skirt in half lengthways. Trim the selvedges and curve the front edge.
Make a narrow double fold hem along the side and lower edges of the skirt. Use a narrow hemmer foot for this if you have one.
4. Add tie belt
Cut a strip of fabric 4 inches (10 cm) wide and half the width of the skirt in length.
Turn in a narrow hem around the long edges and one short edge. I like to shape the short edge diagonally.
If you prefer, you can make a double width belt and sew the edges together with the right sides facing, then turn it right side out.
Attach the tie to the inside of one side edge of the skirt.
5. Wrap the dress
Pull the bodice over your head. Hold the skirt out behind you.
Wrap the side of the skirt with the tie over the front of your body.
Take the tie behind your back, making sure the skirt covers the bottom of the bodice front.
Gather the free corner of the skirt in your other hand and wrap the tie around it.
Adjust the drape of the skirt and bodice to your liking.
DIY gold metallic dress
What a stunning dress this turned out to be! The bodice is loose and comfortable and blouses beautifully over the skirt.
You can make the skirt fit you in several different ways, with more or less of a side opening.
This would look wonderful in a more lightweight fabric too, as an elegant evening dress on a cruise. There are so many possibilities for it!
I’d love to know what you think of it. Please leave me a comment.
I’d love it if you would follow me on TikTok too, for more great sewing ideas: @tugbaisler
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