Twisted Strap Maxi Dress
August 12, 2011 8:12 amBefore I could post the loungewear tutorials I new I had to get the maxi dress tutorial up. This time I used a couple videos. I hope they are easy to understand. First off, I apologize for doing the tutorial with black jersey. It’s a little hard to see all the details.
Ok, let’s begin. Before we start, simplify this in your head. You’re making a top. You’re making a skirt. You’re connecting them. That’s all. You can do this.
For the top I cut a triangle piece of fabric out. You want it to extend over your shoulder a couple inches and about an inch past your natrla waist. It will be large. That’s ok. Dont worry about that part yet. I put a pin at the top shoulder part so I don’t get confused with what point goes where.
You will need four of these. After I cut the four I put them up on my form so you could see what we’re going for.
The next step is to connect the top of the dress at the shoulders. Here’s what you’ll have.
Now for the twisted shoulder strap. All you need to do is twist each top at the shoulder strap until you like the way it looks.
(note: I wasn’t happy with the way mine looked. They looked really thin. So what I did was twist an extra piece of fabric around it to bulk it up. Just keep that in mind if you want it thicker.)
Now what we’ll need to do is sew the front, back and side seams. Make sure you take in to account how low you want the front and back to be.I made a video to help explain it easier.
After sewing them together here’s how I refined the armholes.
Now that the top is complete, we need to attach it to the skirt. Make a waistband that’s slightly larger than your waist. That way it will still be fitted but you can get it over your head. Then gather the bottom of your top so that it fits the length of the waistband. Sew it together.
Last step! Figure out how long you want your skirt. I make it the width of my waist band plus half. Gather it to the width of your waist band and attach.
Here’s the finished dress. I love the look of ease with this dress. It looks relaxed and flowy and still has great style.
I think the twisted straps add a nice, different detail.
That being said, let me point out it’s flaws- My stripes got all goofy and I ended up not being able to do anything about it since I ran out of fabric.
But that being said, I still love the dress and hope people don’t notice when I wear it 
I hope you guys have liked the tutorial and go make your own version!
In other news, I have a new line of leather bound scarves coming out soon! I have a sample sale going on of my Spring/Summer line. Out of these, I have the army/fushcia, navy stripe/silver, black/brown, grey/aqua and orange/silver left. Since they’re my samples they are over half off and on sale for only $30!
Email me at lex@madebylex.com if you want one.
If you head over to my facebook page you can see some of my new designs for the Fall/Winter line, too. I’d love to hear what you think.
Tags: DIY dress, jersey, knit, maxi dress tutorial, women's clothing
Posted in Original Designs, other, women's clothing | 19 Comments »
By Stacia on Aug 12, 2011 | Reply
god your website really makes me want to learn how to sew. i have a sewing machine but believe me when i say it’s just better that i buy my clothes but ooooh how i love the stuff you have on here!
By Lynnette on Aug 12, 2011 | Reply
I love the look of maxi dresses and skirts. I really appreciate your tutorials and especially this one as the way you break it down makes me feel not only able to take on this project but as if it might actually be easy! Thank you very much. As I work out the design details of my own, I’d like to know about the shape you used for the skirt. Is it cut straight across the waist then an A-line?
By Lynnette on Aug 12, 2011 | Reply
I have another question. I think my garments would come together much quicker if I had a dress form I could shape to my dimensions. Any recommendations? Where to buy? I’ve found a vintage one that is adjustable. It’s $50 and I’ve been debating if that is a worthy investment. Any cautions or things to look for? Would you consider a dressform a valuable tool for designing/sewing? Thanks for any advice.
By Cindy: I Crave This Stuff on Aug 13, 2011 | Reply
Oh, I love your lounge dress! The stripes going different ways on the bodice looks like a deliberate design choice and gives it a designer look. I think it’s inspired!
Cindy
By Alexis on Aug 13, 2011 | Reply
I just cut this one straight across.
By Alexis on Aug 13, 2011 | Reply
Ok, I think it’s a great tool if you know you’re going to use it. I started with a homemade duct tape dress form, which I LOVED. It was a great first tool and then I knew after a few months of using it that I really did want one. I can’t stand, and I mean CAN”T STAND, the adjustable ones. I used one and it is so flimsy you can pin anything into it, I just, honestly, had no luck with it. But that’s me. I ended up getting a uniquely you dress form and i LOVE it!
By Hannah on Aug 13, 2011 | Reply
OOOO I couldnt wait for this to come out!!! I think it looks great!!!! My friend just recently picked up an adjustable dress form, in my size, perfect condition at a yard sale for $5! It works good but i will have to keep in mind the uniquely you ones for future
thanks for such a great site!
~Hannah
By Tammy on Aug 13, 2011 | Reply
Absolutely lovely!!!!! Can’t wait to try it out! I love anything you can get away w/out wearing a bra!
By Damaris on Aug 13, 2011 | Reply
Loved this tutorial….and even made myself one this afternoon! However due to pregnant belly and lack of material resources I did mine just a little different! I like to repurpose old clothes or clothing that I find at Goodwill….I used an embellished tank top and 3 tee shirts that I bought for $1 each from Goodwill to make mine…it turned out really cute! Thanks for the inspiration!
By Alexis on Aug 14, 2011 | Reply
I want to see!! Post it on Lex Designs facebook!
By Wendy on Aug 15, 2011 | Reply
Thanks Lex! I’ve been following your blog for a while. I love your ideas but I especially love this one since it looks like it will hide my mommy pooch.
By the way, do you know about how many yards of fabric that you used? Thanks again.
By Julie on Aug 17, 2011 | Reply
Love this! I especially liked the straps.
By Alexis on Aug 19, 2011 | Reply
I think it was 2 yards total.
By Rin on Aug 22, 2011 | Reply
Lex, I really love your relaxed, laid-back style! I have some chocolate brown fabric (it used to be a quilt cover) that I have in mind now to try this tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing
By Carter Crandall on Aug 22, 2011 | Reply
Hey Lex…do you have a rough estimate on the amount of yardage you used for the dress (i know it would be different for size) but a general would help me determine how much to buy.
By Carter Crandall on Aug 22, 2011 | Reply
Nevermind just saw the previous comment with my aswer!
By Evi on Sep 17, 2011 | Reply
Hi! This tutorial is really cute! Good job!
By Isabella on Feb 13, 2012 | Reply
It looks gorgeous:)
I made a list of Maxi dress tutorials on my blog <3
You're in it, hope thats okay
http://crafterlifebyme.blogspot.com/2012/02/list-of-diy-maxi-dresses.html
By val on Mar 20, 2013 | Reply
hi I was wondering if you had an approximate measurement for the triangle size? i dont have a form so cutting them while they are on will be hard but this is the best diy maxi dress i have found. Thanks!