Elven Artisan: Sewing Tutorials

Easy Infinity Dress

This is a tutorial on making an infinity dress. I used 2 1/2 yards of stretchy knit fabric. I combined a couple tutorials by other bloggers to make a very simple and easy to follow (hopefully!!!) guide.

1. So first thing first, lay your fabric out on a flat service and match the edges. Then fold the long end over again, as shown below. This makes four layers.

2. Take your handy measuring tape and measure around your waist (at the bellybutton), and divide by four. Now, take your measuring tape and use a push pin to hold it in place at the corner with the lengthwise fold (the one that it comes folded with). Your pin should be stuck at the measurement you had earlier (the one you divided by four). Use a chalk pencil and draw a line using the measuring tape as a guide.

3. Now determine the length you want your skirt to be. Then measure strait down X inches from different parts of your previous line and make marks. connect those marks, and you have drafted 1/4 of a circle skirt! ;)

4. Cut along your lines.

5. Now unfold you fabric once, you should have two layers now. Match the edge and smooth it out. Take 1/2 your waist measurement (long side of rectangle) and the measurement from your armpit to your waist (short side of rectangle) and cut the rectangle out of printer paper taped together. Use that as a guide and cut out your rectangle. There should be two, because your fabric is folded over once. Tip: be sure that the long side of the rectangle is the side with the most stretch. If you don't, you won't be able to pull it on. DO NOT TRY IT ON UNTIL YOU ARE DONE SEWING! IT WILL CAUSE THE FABRIC TO RAVEL AND RIP!!!

6. Sew the short sides using a zigzag stitch or a serger.

7. Fold over one edge 1/2 an inch and zigzag. This is the top.

8. Take your skirt piece and sew 3/8 from the edge of the hole with your stitch length on four. LEAVE THREAD ENDS LONG, DO NOT BACKSTITCH!!!

9. Turn your top right side out and use a couple pins to pin the unfinished edge of the top to the gathered edge of your skirt. Use the long thread on the top of your skirt edge to gather your fabric until it matches to the top.

10. Using your remaining uncut fabric, cut two long rectangles 11" by 60". Pull them under your skirt and pin them in between the top and skirt. Pin well.