Check Out How I Made My Own Midi Dress

Alicia Yanson
by Alicia Yanson
9 Materials
$10
2 Hours
Easy

Midi is everything right now! This skirt and dress trend had me totally inspired to get started on a new fashion DIY project. I let my creative juices flow and made the most amazing midi dress! I am totally obsessed with my new dress and the end result was better than I could have imagined. If you are looking for your next clothing DIY the search is over! Follow my simple, step-by-step tutorial and learn how to make this gorgeous midi dress from scratch.

Tools and materials:

  • Fabric
  • Interfacing
  • Buttons
  • Paper
  • Marker
  • Scissors
  • Needle and thread
  • Sewing machine
DIY midi dress
Cut out the skirt


To get the perfect measurements for the skirt of this amazing dress I used a site called byhandlondom.com. Once I had all the right measurements I made sure to add about 5-inches to the width so that I would be able to fit in the dress without a zipper. The first radius was 22-inches. I drew the second radius at 30-inches from the first radius.

Cut the skirt


I cut out my skirt and also cut it down the middle so that I would be able to add cute pockets later.  

Trace pockets
Make pockets


I absolutely love pockets! Using some spare fabric, I cut out four pieces for the pockets. 

Casual midi dress
Make the bodice


Next, I made the pattern for the bodice. I traced one side of a button-down shirt I already owned. I used an old T-shirt to trace for the neckline and I made sure to add 1-inch for the button placket for the back bodice piece. I marked on the pattern where my waist is, using the shirt as a guide. I knew that this would be where the bodice would end on my amazing new dress. 

Add a few inches


I added an extra 1.5-inches for the button placket. I also decided to take in the bodice a little so it would be snugger and have a better fit. 

Cut two pieces


Using my pattern, I cut two symmetrical front bodice pieces. I also marked the button placket on each side. 

Trace the back piece


I traced the back bodice, without the button placket and cut it on the fold of the fabric. 

Long sleeve midi dress
Make the sleeve


To create the sleeve for this amazing dress, I used a long sleeve with a cuff. I added 1-inch on both sides of the cuff for some extra puff and marked the shoulder and underarm. I then connected the points on the fabric.

Cut cuffs


I cut out two sleeves on the fold of the fabric and also cut two 5-inch by 9-inch rectangles which would become the cuffs. 

Fold the button placket
Attach the bodice pieces


Next, I folded the edges of the button placket by ½ an inch and then folded the placket over. I pinned it down to give the folds time to set. 

Sew the shoulder seams


Finally, I could start putting this awesome midi dress together. I placed the front and back bodice pieces, right sides together, and sewed the shoulder seams. 

Attach the sleeve


Next, I opened up the bodice and pinned the sleeves onto the armhole, right sides together. I put as many pins as possible to make sewing along the curve easier. With the sleeves attached, I sewed the side seams of the sleeves and the bodice. I left about 2-inches at the bottom so that I could insert a waist tie later. 

Press on interfacing
Add interfacing


To get a more professional look and keep my fabric sturdy, I pressed on 1-inch of interfacing to the button placket. I folded the button placket back over the interfacing. I then also added interfacing to the cuffs.

Attach the cuffs
Attach the cuffs


I then folded the cuffs right sides together and sewed the sides.

Match up the edges


To attach the cuffs to my sleeves I first did a simple basting stitch around the sleeve. I then pulled the thread to gather the sleeve to the width of the cuff. Finally, I matched up the edge of the cuff with the sleeve and sewed on the cuff. 

Fold over the cuff

I pulled the cuff out, folded it over, and sewed it in place.

Sew down the button placket
Sew down the button placket


In the next step, I sewed the button plackets down. This was definitely a challenge since it was the first time I had sewed a button placket but I was so happy with the results. 

Cut the neckline
Fix the neckline


I tried the bodice on and marked where I wanted the neckline to be. I then cut off the extra fabric.

Add bias tape


It's tricky to hem a curved neckline, so I cut a strip of fabric long enough to act as bias tape over the neckline. I pinned it on and sewed all around at about ¼ of an inch. I then folded in the raw edge and sewed it in place leaving me with a clean and even neckline. 

Midi dresses for women
Add buttons


In the next step, I marked exactly where I wanted the buttons to be. I sewed the buttonholes on the right side of the fabric and then cut them open. I then carefully hand sewed the buttons onto the left-hand side. The buttons are definitely one of my favorite details on this dress!


Finally, it was time to attach the skirt. I placed the skirt and bodice, right sides together, and sewed along the waistline. 

Sew on the pockets
Sew on the pockets


Once the skirt was attached, it was the perfect time to sew in the pockets. Pockets are always a fun element on any dress!

Fold the waist tie
Make the waist tie


In this step I made the waist tie. I cut a long piece of fabric, 2.5 -inches wide, and folded it in half. I then hopped on over to my sewing machine and sewed all the open sides closed. I snipped the corners off and cut the tie in half. I then worked on turning the tie the right side out. 

Attach the waist tie


I inserted the waist tie into the center of the seam where the bodice and skirt meet. I then sewed closed all the sides seams of the skirt. 

Hem the bottom
Hem the bottom of the dress


I zig-zag stitched all the raw edges of the dress to secure the fabric. Lastly, I hemmed the bottom to give the dress a gorgeous finish. Hemming a curve can be difficult so I first sewed a straight stitch at the bottom and then hemmed the fabric. 

How to make a midi dress


I love this midi dress! What color fabric would you choose for this fashion DIY? Let me know in the comments below! 

Suggested materials:
  • Fabric
  • Interfacing
  • Buttons
See all materials

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Comments
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 1 comment
  • Car5009937 Car5009937 on Dec 06, 2020

    I love to see and this sounds real easy. I will be doing mine in a red cotton fabric. Right after the New year.

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