How to DIY a Sexy Summer Top From Doilies

The DIY Designer
by The DIY Designer
4 Materials
$10
30 Minutes
Easy

Are you ready? We have a totally no-sew DIY top that is perfect for summer.


We're going to be doing a thrift upcycle using doilies and fabric glue to create a sexy little top you're absolutely going to love.

Tools and materials:

  • Doilies
  • Fabric glue
  • Pins
  • Dress form
Arranging doilies

1. Arrange the doilies

I found a bunch of doilies at the thrift store. Start by laying them on your dress form and pinning them down.


Play around with the doilies until you get the vibe that you want to create that is flattering for your body.


I started by trying to make little capped sleeves by crossing over two doilies on the shoulders.

Arranging doilies

I had a bunch of diamond-shaped doilies, which create a natural V-neck halter type of racerback.


I pinned two of the small ones to the front and pinned the big one on the back.


They weren't wide enough to be able to use only that, so I pinned them to other matching doilies on either side.


All of the shades have a vintage boho vibe, so they all work really well together.

Trying DIY summer top on

2. Try it on

With the pieces pinned together, try it on to get a sense of whether you like the shape you’re creating.

Adjusting

I realized right off the bat that the giant diamond in the back was out of place and that I knew I wanted to cover up a little bit more in the front, I didn't like how open it was.


So I went and cut off the bottom of the diamond at the back. The cool thing about doilies is that you get a naturally clean finish.


You just need to snip off the threads that connect the little pieces, and then you end up with clean, finished scalloped edges, which makes it very easy to make this a no-sew project.

Adjusting

I took the triangle that I cut off the back, and I patched it onto the front

Adjusting

I had one more diamond shape left, and what I decided to do was use it to create the straps that are going to connect the back piece to the front piece.

Adjusting

I then decided to cut the big diamond piece at the front in half to make two triangles and pin each piece to either side.


The most important thing is that you really let your particular materials dictate the design.

Gluing the design

3. Glue the design

Once you are happy with your design, you can either hand sew it or fabric glue it.


If you are going to fabric glue it, you want to make sure to apply glue to the opaque sections of your particular materials.


Obviously, don't do it on the areas that are open weave, or lacy. Also, only add a little bit of glue.


This fabric glue is very strong, so a couple of little dabs will keep it feeling really light and soft but still hold everything in place.


Another important tip is to keep all of your pins in place while you're gluing. Basically, peel back a little element of your doily, add a tiny bit of glue as an anchor point, let it dry, and then move on to the next one.


4. Remove the pins

When everything is in place, laying the way that you intended it and maintaining your design, you can remove the pin and add a little bit more glue.


You just want to make sure that all of the hard work that you did doesn't get ruined when you take all the pins out.

Removing pins

I decided to patch in the contrasted piece on the sides.


I did this simply because I had just enough material to, but I actually really liked the way that contrast panel looked on the side, so I sort of wish I hadn't done that.

DIY summer top

DIY summer top

There's like a million different directions that this could go in. You could have added little cap sleeves, you could have made it long, or it could have been a full dress if you had a table runner.


There are so many cool options.

DIY summer top

So make sure that when you do this, you are making something that really celebrates you.


It should be a piece that you're absolutely going to love it and wear the heck out of it this summer!


Next, check out my post on How to DIY Super Glam Rhinestone Sock Boots.

Suggested materials:
  • Doilies
  • Fabric glue
  • Pins
See all materials

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