There is just something about a white lace dress on a summer day that screams perfection. Perhaps it's because it creates the illusion of golden, sunkissed skin? Or maybe because of the effortless, bohemian feel it exudes? All I know is that I have to have one. I am seeing these lovely little dresses creep up everywhere from fashion blogs to shop windows to Coachella photos and it has inspired me to see what I can create using things from around my house. I found this old table cloth and thought it would be perfect for my project. This DIY is best done with a sewing machine. If you don't own one, ask around. I'm sure a friend or a family member would be happy to lend you theirs. Also, thrift stores are always loaded with used sewing machines and trust me, sewing machines built 20 years ago are MUCH better quality and were built to last. So why not pick one up and see what you can create this summer?
What You Need
- Lace Table Cloth
- Measuring Tape
- Elastic
- Pins
- Basic Sewing Machine
What To Do
- Take 2 measurements: the first is around the widest part of your hips, the second is from your underarm to the desired length of the dress on thigh
- Transfer these measurements onto the lace and make 2 identical rectangles. The measurement from your underarm to your thigh is the long edge, the measurement around your hips is the short edge. Also, add an extra inch to each side for your seam allowance.
- Add an extra foot in length to your vertical edges for the flap covering your chest, as shown in the photos.
- Cut out two identical rectangles from the lace
- Now, place your two pieces of lace together, right sides facing each other and pin them together along the long edge
- Sew along the long edge
- Flip dress right side out and put it on. It should be much too long. Take the top hem of the dress and fold it down over your chest to create the flap. Keep folding it over until your dress is the desired length on your thigh.
- Now, time for the elastic. I used regular white 1/2 '' elastic. Measure the elastic around your chest where the top of the dress will sit. Be sure to pull the elastic as tight as you want your dress to be. Snip it.
- Take your dress off and leave the flap exactly as is. It helps to pin the flap down while wearing it so it doesn't shift as you remove it.
- 1 inch from the top of the dress (the folded edge), pin the two layers together around the circumference of the dress. This is where your elastic will sit
- Sew over your pins around the whole dress, stopping about an inch before you complete the circle
- Feed your elastic through the loop you've just sewn. Once your elastic makes it all the way around, sew it together with your sewing machine
- Last step is to sew together the hole in the loop for the elastic and you're all finished
*If you have any questions about the steps, please e-mail me. It was difficult to take clear photos of the lace step by step.
Topped off a perfect evening by sharing a couple local beers with my boyfriend, Richard. If you're a beer drinking girl like myself, try something different than your typical watered down ale. Every town or city has a local micro-brewery you should try. Check it out. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Phillip's Ginger Beer is my fav ♥
Love,
C
