$15 DIY Maxi Dress Tutorial

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Hit the Beach in Style Following These Simple Steps!

If you're a fan of maxi dresses, you've probably noticed these babies are expensive. The only time I buy them is when I've accumulated a few coupons or when there are massive discounts in the Fall.

So imagine my sheer happiness when I discovered that JOANN Fabrics carries pre-made elastic dress patterns right on the bolt!

With the help of my Mom, we turned this modest bit of fabric into this:

You could always buy something similar online (minus the matching hair wrap), which may or may not fit well and for a lot more upfront cost. I prefer to save that convenience cost and put it toward something more fulfilling like a pair of wedges or nice bottle of cab.

Here's how we did it:

Supplies for Your DIY Maxi Dress

Single Seam Sundress fabric (available at any JOANN Fabric store). Wrap the material around your torso to get a rough estimate for how much you'll need. Add a bit of extra material to be on the safe side, especially if you think you'll want straps or a headband.
Thread in a color of your choosing
Sewing machine
Sewing scissors

Building Your DIY Maxi Dress

(1) Start by wrapping the material around your body with the pattern facing inside out. Be sure the dress fits snugly around your chest. With the fabric held tightly in place, have a friend pin a seam down the side of your body.

Ready to hit the beach in style? Get the tutorial for this $15 DIY maxi dress

(2) As your friend gets to the part of the dress that forms the "skirt," have him or her pin more loosely down your body, which will give your dress the classic billowy appearance of a maxi dress.

a great tutorial for an inexpensive maxi dress option — The dashed line indicates the angle you should be using to pin your dress below the elastic bodice. The blue arrow is pointing to a pin that went through both layers of the fabric.

(3) Sew a single, straight seam down your dress using the pin placements as your guide. Trim the excess fabric. Iron your seam so that the excess lays flat inside the dress.

(4) Hem your dress to the desired length.

(5) If you want to add straps, simply cut some of your excess fabric into two long strips. Pin the right sides together and sew a single seam down the edge.

(6) Pull the fabric right side out. Tuck your edges inward and sew a straight seam down both sides of your fabric.

(7) Have a friend pin your straps to your dress while you wear it. I opted for straps that criss-crossed across my back. You could also do straight straps attached to the back of the dress. A third option would be to tie your straps around your neck to form halter top. If you opt for a halter top, you'll only have to pin your straps to the front of your dress.

(8) Carefully pull the dress over your head while the straps are pinned to your dress. With your dress turned right side out, sew a straight stitch across the front of each strap to secure in place.

(9) Follow the same process you used to make your straps to make a hairband. Simple pin one piece of fabric with right sides together and sew a single seam. Turn right side out, tuck in both ends, and sew straight stitches to close both seams. BOOM.

(Optional) cut a slit in the bottom of your dress so the material "gives" a bit when you're walking. Hem the slit (or add a zig zag stitch) to prevent fraying.

That's it!

Now pour yourself a glass of wine and get to the beach pronto!