Wrap dress upcycling idea.
In this upcycled clothing sewing tutorial, I converted a shapeless dress into a wrap dress that could be converted to fit any sized waist.
I bought the dress for $1 from my local Salvos thrift store. It was on the ‘last chance’ wrap because nobody wanted it. I fell in love with the fabric, which has a delicate floral design on a beautiful peppermint background.
Step 1 – Alter the neckline.
First I decided to tuck in the collar to create a v-neck. I thought the v-neck would give the dress a softer look rather than the large external collar that was on the dress when I bought it (It looked a bit old fashioned).
Pinning the new collar in place, I then understitched it on the sewing machine.
Step 2 – Split the front of the dress into two sections.
Next, I removed the button so the front top sections of the dress could work independently and, therefore, wrap.
With everything undone, and any seams at the front removed, I was able to split the front of the dress into two sections.
So, in theory, it was like a dressing gown, without any seams at the front.
Step 3 – Sew new front seams.
I pinned and sewed the front seam where I removed the buttons so there was a neat seam running all the way down the front of the dress.
Step 4. Create a hole in the waist band.
Next, I cut a new hole in the waistband for the wrap belt fabric to pass through. I then stitched around the raw hole as I would a button.
Step 5 – Remove any excess material.
After trying it on, the width at the top of the dress was too wide. So there was too much fabric when I wrapped the top sections.
Step 6 – Final alterations to adjust the fit.
Also, the sleeve hole was too big, making it somewhat immodest and you could see my bra.
To fix this, I sewed the new side seam which started under the armhole.
I hope this wrap dress upcycling tutorial gives you inspiration to do something similar.
Thanks for watching,
BEX
Watch wrap dress upcycling video tutorial
Why clothes upcycling is important.
Clothes upcycling promotes a more sustainable, creative, and responsible approach to fashion, all of which contributes to a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.
Environmental Impact
Clothes upcycling helps reduce waste by repurposing old or unwanted garments, often diverting them from landfill.
With the fashion industry being one of the planets largest polluters, upcycling and repurposing clothing reduces the need for new materials and decreases carbon emissions associated with the product and disposal of clothing.
Conservation
Traditional clothing manufacturing consumes significant amounts of water, energy, and raw materials.
Upcycling clothing not only extends the life of existing textiles, conserving these valuable resources, but promotes more sustainable consumption patterns.
Creative Expression
Upcycling clothes and other materials encourages creative freedom by transforming old clothes into unique, personalised garments.
Upcycling and sewing fosters innovation and encourages people to experiment with designs, creating one-of-a-kind items that reflect personal style and creativity.
Cost Effective
Upcycling clothing can be very cost-effective by reducing money spent purchasing new clothes but can also assist charities when clothes are purchased second hand from charities.
Quality and Longevity
Repairing and mending clothing enhances the longevity of existing garments, giving them longevity in your wardrobe and limiting the need to purchase new clothes. This contrasts with fast fashion items, which are frequently designed for short-term use.