Fall Harvest Dress

This UPcycle was inspired by a tutorial I found online. The dress was initially a bodycon fit, but I really love a loser fit for Plus Sizes. When a dress is a bit looser it is just more comfortable, and since I had the perfect fabric to go with the dress I wanted to give this a shot.

I based the upcycle on a tutorial I found online, and unfortunately I cannot find the tutorial to share a link. But here is a basic outline of the steps I took to achieve this look. It was a fairly simple upcycle but it took some bravery to cut the back of the dress. So you might want to try this on an old bodycon that you no longer wear, or that no longer fits.

Step One: Cut out a large triangle from the back of the dress. It can be about eight inches wide at the base, meeting at the middle of the back at the neckline.

Step Two: Using another knit fabric, create a triangle that is about sixteen to twenty inches wide at the base and two to three inches wide at the top. Use the fabric that you cut out in step one to get the right length, and be sure to include about an inch extra at the top and bottom for the hem.

Step Three: Sew the insert into the dress. Make sure you do right sides together, and do one side at a time. Then hem the top and bottom to line up with the rest of the dress. If you love the look of an unfinished hem, trim off the hem on the dress and just even everything out.

Step Four: If you want to create a hi-lo dress, make the back piece angle down on each side to create a gentle triangle in the middle back of the dress. I added mini pom pom trim to the lower hem to give the dress a softer look.

Step Five: Cut out a square from the fabric you used for the back, or in another color that is about seven inches square. Fold in the edges and sew, creating finished seams on the square. Then attach to the dress for a front pocket. I created a pleat in my pocket and it has a drapey look, because the jersey I used was really fine.

And you are done!!

Whew!! This dress was more work than I originally thought it would be, but I love it so much. I would do this upcycle again in a heartbeat, only mix up the colors to be bolder next time. A dress like this is so perfect for fall, and is great with layers.

Have fun sewing!