Upcycled Polka Dot Mini Dress

I recently bought a long pattern dress from a local thrift shop and I really liked the fabric and pattern of it but not the style, I thought I could make into something I would wear and make it into an upcycled mini dress with crisscrossing straps

Materials Needed:

• Polka Dot Dress
• White Thread
• Scissors
• Measuring Tape
• Fabric Chalk
• Ballpoint pins
• Rotary Cutter
• Needle

Step 1: Cut the seams and remove the lace

• Cut the lace from the dress
• Cut the stitching from the side of the dress
• Lay the dress flat
• Cut the straps

• Measure your waist, bust, and hips
• Measure the desired length of the dress

• Lay both sides of the dress inside out on top of each other
• On the front side of the dress, mark how deep the sweetheart neckline should go
• Use the fabric chalk to mark the measurements
• Use those markers as a guide to draw the general shape of the dress
• Pin the dress together
• Use a rotary cutters to cut excess fabric, allowing for some seam allowance

• Sew the sides of the dress together with a backstitch
• Hem the neckline by folding it and pinning it then sew with a backstitch
• Hide the stitches by folding it again and using a cross-stitch (make sure to go through a thread and not the entire fabric)
• Hem the bottom of the dress by folding it twice and sewing with a cross-stitch making sure it’s not visible on the outside

• Use the lace as a guide on how long to cut fabric for the straps
• Fold both raw edges in and hold in place with pins
• With a cross-stitch sew the raw edges together
• Place the lace on top of the fabric and pin together
• Sew together with a running stitch making sure the stitches aren’t showing on the outside
• Secure with a cross stitch
• Repeat for the second strap but make sure to put the lace on the opposite side of where the lace on the first one is

• Keep the dress inside out
• The straps would be crisscrossing each other in the back
• Pin one end of the strap to the front and the other across the back of the dress
• Do the same with the other strap but mind the placement of the lace
• With a backstitch sew the end strap along the edges of the dress (make sure the stitches aren’t visible)