Sewing Tutorial: How to DIY a Cute Purple Bustier Dress

10 Materials
$10
6 Hours
Easy

I worked hard to make the construction of this purple bustier dress as easy to follow as possible.


I made mine from a 100% cotton double bedsheet, 59 x 78 inches (150 x 200 cm) in size, and lined the bodice with a toning solid color. I added side pockets, a gathered skirt and a button front.

Tools and materials:

  • Bed sheet or cotton fabric
  • Lining fabric
  • 8 Buttons
  • Paper for pattern
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Safety pin
  • Sewing machine
  • Buttonhole attachment (optional)
Front bustier pattern

1. Front bustier pattern

See the video from 1:06 - 3:41 for exactly how I draft the front bustier onto pattern paper.


At 5:30, I show you how to adjust the neckline and draft a sleeve pattern.

Back pattern

2. Back pattern

See the video at 3:47 for details of the bodice back pattern. 

Front and back pieces

3. Cut out fabric pieces

Cut out two fronts from the outer fabric and two from the lining. Cut one back on the fold from the main fabric and the same from the lining.


Transfer all pattern marks to the fabric.

Darts

4. Darts

Pin and sew the darts on the back and both fronts.


Press the darts to one side.

Bodice side seams

5. Bodice side seams

Pin and sew the fronts to the back section at the side seams. Press the seams open.

Shoulder straps

6. Shoulder straps

Cut two strips of the main fabric, each 4 inches (10 cm) wide and 14.25 inches (36 cm) long.


Fold them in half lengthways with right sides facing and sew the raw edges together.


Use a safety pin to turn the strips right side out. Press them flat, placing the seam in the center.

Shoulder straps

Fold the outer bodice in half lengthways to find the center back.


Measure 2.95 inches (7.5 cm) from the center back and the center front edge across the top of the bodice.


Pin the straps to the bodice.

Bodice lining

7. Bodice lining

Assemble the bodice lining in the same way as the outer bodice.


Place the lining over the bodice with right sides together, matching the side seams. Pin and sew the lining to the bodice along the top and side edges.


Snip all the curves and turn the bodice right side out.

Pattern

8. Cut out skirt pieces

Cut 1 rectangle for the skirt back, your full hip measurement wide and 32.25 inches (82 cm) long (or adjust to suit).


Cut two pieces for the skirt front, each half your hip measurement wide and the same length as the back.

Pocket pattern

9. Pocket pattern

See the video at 10:14 for how to make the pattern for the pocket.

Inserting pockets

10. Insert pockets

Cut 4 pocket pieces from the lining fabric.


Pin the straight edge of one piece to the side edge of the skirt front, 3.15 inches (8 cm) from the top edge and sew in place.


Repeat on the other front side seam and both back side seams.

Inserting pockets

Turn the pocket piece towards the wrong side. Pin the sides of the skirt together with right sides facing, matching the pocket pieces. 


Pin and sew down each seam and around the pocket bags, leaving the pocket opening unsewn.

Button placket

11. Button placket

Turn in a double hem along the center front edges of the skirt and sew it in place.

Gathering and attaching the skirt

12. Gather and attach the skirt

Set your machine to the highest tension and longest stitch length.


Sew two parallel lines of basting or gathering stitches along the top edge of the skirt, inside the seam allowance. Leave long threads at each end.


Pull gently on the threads to gather the skirt to fit the lower edge of the bodice. 


Pin the right side of the skirt to the right side of the outer bodice, matching the side seams, and sew along the seam allowance.

Gathering and attaching the skirt

Turn in the lower edge of the bodice lining and pin it over the raw edge of the skirt. Sew on the wrong side.

Buttons and buttonholes

13. Buttons and buttonholes

Space 4 buttons evenly down the bodice and 4 or more down the skirt. Make the buttonholes and attach the buttons by hand or machine.


14. Hem the skirt

Turn up a double hem on the skirt and sew in place.

Purple bustier dress


Purple bustier dress


Purple bustier dress

Purple bustier dress

This is a pretty summer bustier dress in cotton and would be stunning made up in a more luxurious fabric for evening wear.


You could make the skirt longer too. If you have an automatic buttonhole attachment on your machine, the button front is quick to do. I would suggest though that you practice making buttonholes on fabric scraps first.


If you make a bustier midi dress from my pattern, I'd love to know! Please drop me a comment below.


For more sewing content, check out my post on How to DIY a Super Cute White Shoulder Bag.

Suggested materials:
  • Bed sheet or cotton fabric
  • Lining fabric
  • 8 Buttons
See all materials

The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Comments
Join the conversation
Next