How to Make a Raw-Edge Tulle Dress

Create a ruffled, raw-edge tulle dress for any special occasion.

Dresses are expensive these days, but you can make your own for an upcoming prom or other special event to save money and still look great. Better yet, making a beautiful, raw-edge tulle dress at home means you do not have to worry about showing up to the event wearing the same dress as anyone else there. Create a completely unique dress that is tailored to fit your body and then pat yourself on the back for your ingenuity.

Things You'll Need

• Soft tape measure
• Tailor’s chalk
• Metallic rayon knit fabric (at least 2 yards)
• Rotary cutter or sharp scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Tulle fabric (at least 4 yards)
• Elastic thread
• Straight pins

Instructions

Dress Underlining

1. Take width measurements for the under-layer of the dress. Write down each measurement. Measure the circumference of your chest, above your bustline and add 1 1/2 inches. Measure the circumference around the fullness of your bust and add 2 inches. Measure the circumference under your bustline and add 2 inches. Measure the circumference of your waist and add 2 inches. Measure around the fullest part of your hips and add 2 inches. With your legs in a relaxed position, measure around the upper part of your thighs and add 2 inches.

2. Take length measurements for the under-layer of the dress. Write down each measurement. Measure from above your bust, beneath your underarms, to the fullest part of your bust and add 1/2 inch. Measure from that point to under your bustline. Measure the distance from that point to your waist. Measure from here to the fullest part of your hips and then from your hips to the upper part of your thigh.

3. Use tailor’s chalk to draw the outline for the dress on the metallic rayon knit fabric according to the measurements you obtained in Steps 1 and 2. Draw the width of your chest circumference above the bustline across the top edge of your fabric. Measure down the distance from above your bustline to the fullest part of your bust and draw the width of the bust. Repeat all the way down. When you have drawn the line for the thigh width, measure down the length you would like the lining, move down an extra 1/2 inch and draw another line equal to the thigh width. Connect the right ends of each line and then the left end of each line.

4. Cut out the shape from the knit fabric, using a rotary cutter or a sharp pair of scissors. Fold the dress shape in half lengthwise to connect the left and right sides. Be sure to fold the good side of the fabric inward.

5. Sew a zigzag stitch down the connected sides to begin assembling the dress. Sew about 1/4 inch away from the edge of the fabric for the seam allowance.

6. Fold over the top edge and bottom edge of the dress 1/2 inch all the way around. Sew a straight stitch along each folded edge to make smooth lines for the under-layer. Set the under-layer aside.

Tulle Dress

1. Measure from just above your bustline to your waist and multiply the measurement by 1.5. Measure the circumference of the fullest part of your bust and multiply the measurement by 2. Cut a piece of tulle fabric according to these measurements. This is the bodice of the dress.

2. Fold over 1/2 inch along the width sides of the tulle (the top and bottom of the bodice). Sew a straight stitch across each fold.

3. Measure the distance from your waist to the length you would like the dress and add 1/2 inch. Measure the circumference of the fullest part of your hips and multiply by 3. Cut another piece of the same tulle fabric according to these measurements. This is the skirt of the dress.

4. Fold over 1/2 inch along one width side of the tulle (the top of the skirt) and sew a wide 3/8-inch straight stitch across the fold, using elastic thread. Pull the thread when you are finished. Continue to pull the thread to gather the width of the tulle to your waist circumference, plus 1 inch.

5. Fold the tulle skirt in half to bring the sides together. Overlap the fabric 1/2 inch and sew a straight stitch up the new side seam.

Attaching the Tulle Dress

1. Lay the tulle bodice face down on your work surface with the sides extending to the left and right of you. Lay the skirt on top of the bottom edge of the bodice, with the side seam on top and directly in the center.

2. Pin the overlapping sections of the bodice and skirt together and sew a straight stitch to secure it.

3. Turn the tulle dress right side out and slide the rayon knit under-layer into the dress. Pin the top-front of the tulle dress to the top of the rayon layer and sew the front of the tulle to the rayon, using a straight stitch.

4. Pin the waist of the tulle dress to the waist of the rayon. Sew the waists together, using the elastic thread. There will be excess tulle fabric between the top of the dress and the waist because you cut 1 1/2 times the necessary length. The left and right sides of the tulle bodice should be hanging loose. Do not sew these.

5. Try on the dress and tie the loose ends of the tulle bodice in a bow at your back. This exposes a bit of the metallic rayon knit fabric for a trendy contrast.

References

• "The Party Dress Book: How to Sew the Best Dress in the Room"; Mary Adams and Amy Sedaris; 2010
• "Sewing for Special Occasions: Bridal, Prom & Evening Dresses"; Singer; 1994