I really like this dress but can’t afford it so I thought I’d make something like it myself:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=trueitemCount=60startValue=1selectedProductColor=sortby=id=16073454parentid=W_APP_DRESSESsortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority,-product.startDatenavCount=39navAction=poppushpushcolor=pushId=W_APP_DRESSESpopId=WOMENS_APPARELprepushId=
I’ve done some really basic sewing with pillows and stuffed animals before but never clothing so I want to make it easy. I was thinking of sewing a circle skirt or other easy skirt (what would you recommend?) and then sewing it onto a tank top. How would I do this with a sewing machine without sewing through both sides of the tank top? Am I going to have to use a zipper on the dress or can I use an elastic and make like a waistband between the tank and skirt (both materials will be knit fabric)? How would you go about making this dress?
Without really seeing what you are working on, it is hard to give you an exact answer.
But the first thing is to pin your tank to your skirt. You want to make sure it is centred, is even all around, you don’t get bunching here or there. I would even hand sew some basting stitches, just to make sure it all fits together. The sewing on the machine is so much easier!
You don’t have to sew through both layers of the tank. You usually can bunch up a lot of fabric under the arm of the machine, so you can get your waistband in place under the needle. This is where the basting will help — it keeps everything lined up without being disturbed by all the shoving under the arm. It does pay to take the time to prepare your work well– no matter what you do.
You may find that the knit fabric will stretch a lot and you may not need a zipper or opening in the tank. An elastic at the waist may be a good idea — can be added later.
The dress that you like looks very simple to make. take the skirt and sew a baste stitch about 1/2 inch down from raw edges. You will sew two rows of stitching.Then slowly gather the skirt edges to the center from one side then the other side. Next take the tank top and pin to the skirt starting at the center and going out (if it seems like it doesn’t fit ease up on the gathering). Then sew them together. Now for the finishing touch find a scarf that has a contrasting print on it and tie it around or use a solid color scarf. You could also look for a wide color belt of stretch elastic or material. I do not think you will need to put a zipper in the dress. The tank top and skirt will give enough for you to slip it on and off.When sewing this dress together remember to use the correct needle in your machine so you will not break the threads of the material or pull them. I would try an in-between needle size 10 or 11.