Doodles & Stitches: DIY Sundress

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I made this sundress and have worn it several times now and just love it! I don't have a pattern but I will try to give instructions with photos. Email me if you have any questions. It's a really simple and fast project!

And here I am modeling it with the side slit showing.

FYI... There's a slit on each side.

This is one of my favorite dresses that I used as a "pattern".

Using my old dress, I cut a "FRONT" and "BACK" piece that was about 3/4 inch wider and about 4-5 inches longer (for seam allowances, hemming and top elastic fold over).

I cut them on the fabric fold, as shown.

Then I cut 2 pieces of white fabric (the same size) for lining the dress.

I pinned the front fabric panel to the white lining with right sides facing.

Then I did the same with the back panel.

I sewed them together on all sides except bottom, I left that open. Then, I cut seam allowances and turned them right side out, pushing out the corners.

I placed the front and back sewn panels with right sides facing, then I pinned them. I held up the "dress" to see how high I wanted the slit to go up on the side, then I marked that measurement on both sides.

The next step was to take elastic (measuring 1/2 inch) and wrap it around my chest until it was snug. Measure/wrap where the top of the dress will begin. Then I stitched the ends of elastic together, using a zigzag stitch.

I pinned the elastic into the dress at center points - on the sides and front and back centers and then stitched the pinned areas. I folded over the elastic and hand stitched (using slip stitch) into the lining part of dress only, this way there's no elastic line showing on front of dress.

This next part has no photos and I apologize. I got caught up in sewing and just forgot completely.

I pulled the dress on and marked the place where I wanted the waist to be placed. Then I created two buttonholes at front and center and sewed two parallel lines for the waist tie pocket. Think pole pocket for a curtain panel!

I created a "tie" and threaded it through the belt button holes. I wanted it long enough that I could tie it in a bow.

I put on my favorite wedge sandals that I'd always be wearing with the dress and then pinned it at that hem line. I trimmed the excess fabric and then turned it in and pressed the seam. I stitched closely at the edge. I could've hemmed it the traditional way but this is the way I chose to hem this one.