How to Make a Homemade Ancient Egyptian Dress Without Sewing

Add a headpiece and jewelry to the dress for a complete costume.

Ancient Egyptians wore clothing of lightweight linen that allowed the breeze to blow through to help them cope with the hot desert climate. Some women wore sheer dresses that revealed their loincloths and breast bands through the fabric. Create a version of this outfit using inexpensive cotton gauze. Wear white shorts and a short white top, an opaque slip or a short dress under the gauze dress for a costume that is not too revealing.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Cotton gauze fabric
• Scissors
• Liquid fabric stabilizer
• 1/2-inch red ribbon, 6 yards

Instructions

1. Measure the wearer from shoulder to midcalf. Double the measurement and cut a piece of cotton gauze fabric this length.

2. Fold the gauze in half by bringing the cut edges together.

3. Cut an 8-inch slit in the center of the fold. Make the cut perpendicular to the fold. The cut will be 16 inches long when the cloth is unfolded.

4. Use liquid fabric stabilizer to seal the edges of the slit and the cut edges at each end of the fabric. Apply a thin line of stabilizer. A thin line will not stiffen the fabric.

5. Pull the slit in the fabric over the wearer's head. Cut two 3-yard lengths of 1/2-inch-wide red ribbon. Fold the sides of the dress around the wearer's body and tie both ribbons around the wearer, just under her breasts to form an empire waistline. Let the long ends of the ribbon hang down in front.

6. Cut a 5-foot length of gauze for a shawl. Seal the edges with liquid fabric stabilizer. Drape the fabric around the wearer's shoulders like a shawl. Knot the ends in the front at the same level as the belt to form a V-shaped neckline.

Tips & Warnings

• Liquid fabric stabilizer is available at fabric stores.

References

• Fashion of Long Ago; Lucy Bowman; EDC Publishers