DIY // Vintage Gathered Bust Slip Dress

Like many of you probably, I’ve been seeing this vintage slip dress silhouette popping up in all kinds of styles. It’s caught my eye and I thought I’d give it a go making my own self drafted version!
The satin finish one definitely has more of an elegant and night time feel to it where as the floral cotton (ex bed sheet) dress is the perfect farmers market or picnic companion - best of both worlds really.
Hope you enjoy watching these beautiful garments come to life!

Make what you can and ethically source the rest!
The Essentials Club tutorial channel is all about sharing the steps to become more resourceful and creative with crafting your own minimal, conscious wardrobe.

Suggested Fabric Amount Required (based off midi length):
Size Extra Small = 1.8m (off the roll)
Size Small = 2m (off the roll)
Size Medium = 2.2m (off the roll)
Size Large = 2.4m (off the roll)
Size Extra Large = 2.6m (off the roll)
(add or take 0.2 metres for anything larger or smaller than these sizes)
NOTE: These measurements are based on buying 'off the roll' which is approx 1.4m wide.

✰ STEPS ✰
0:00 - DIY game plan!
1:17 - The Essentials (What You'll Need)
2:50 - STEP 01: Find key measurements
4:13 - STEP 02: Cut out bottom panels on bias
6:24 - STEP 03: Prepare top panels
12:32 - STEP 04: Attach top & bottom
16:31 - STEP 05: Hem bottom edges & make any final touches
18:57 - FINAL UNVEIL
ENJOY!

Tag @theessentialsclub on Insta with your outcome.

✿ WHAT I'M WEARING ✿
THRIFTED: Pink Knitted Vest

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〰️ FAQ 〰️
What's your name? Maddy
Where are you from? I'm Australian
How old are you? I'm born in March 1995
Where/how did you learn to sew? Learnt the basics in high school and self taught the rest from there :)
What machine do you use?
Sewing Essentials?
What Tech do You Use?

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[DenBank]

I am new to sewing, I watch other YT sewers buy and use commercial patterns to sew clothes and seeing this technique, I am relieved it's not going to be expensive to sew my own clothes.

[katie]

Literally got some material to make a dress like this and I was just going to wing it. So glad you made this video. This weekends sewing task!

[shelleygehrels]

Thanks for this video! Very helpful to see someone sewing a dress like this. Your dresses turned out beautifully!
Anyone watching this for instructions just remember to hang your dress for 24h-48hrs before hemming as the skirt will likely stretch down on one side due to it being on the bias.🤗

[Lorietta-nv]

I love that you don't have to use bias tape for the armholes and neckline. Also appreciate the links to the steps.

[riannstar]

So cute! Totally true about the two being day and night pieces!

[ciel]

Omg! Have been wanting to make this dress for a while. I was so close to just buying one but couldn't bring myself to as they are $80 + ! Can you believe that? This video is exactly what I need. I have a feeling this style dress is going to take over my summer wardrobe !

[aubriellehazell]

Guys, remember at 8:51 to rotate that first top we made so that the diagonal line is straight. Then, sketch it out to make the second top while adding some extra ease for the gathering later on.

[lisalightfoot]

Both look fab, the cotton one can definately be dressed up or down. Even wedding day and night outfit. Very nice thank you.

[laratrevisol]

omg i feel like you read mi mind, this is literraly what i need, was looking all over for a pattern like this yesterday and couldn't find it anywhere. I want to do a carrie costume for halloween ;)

[alwaysanne]

Great video! I did notice that it's a problem when the widest point (but) is the bottom width measure as that's the bottom of the dress and not where the but is. As i result I got a dress very tight around my widest point. It seemed that you made the bottom width a lot wider than the circumference of the widest point + 4 / 2. Would be super helpful to also hear your measurements to help with our own calculations for future tutorials <3

[WhatLucyDoes]

eternally obsessed with your videos, i come back year after year after year to follow your tutorials. They're so detailed and easy to follow, thank you for your generosity with knowledge sharing and making learning to sew your own wardrobe so accessible and easy!!! <3 xxx

[pavlal.]

Great tutorial, I haven't realised that i can cut cotton on bias and the dress will be falling more smoothly 🤦 one learns every day. Thank you ❤

[safahaji]

Thank you for the video! The dresses look great. Fair warning tho to my girlies with the larger busts. You’re going to need some darts. Could not get the top to lay flat without them.

[kaylap.]

I was JUST looking for bias cut garment videos to use on a plaid I have this is the best timing

[reddskies]

For those who haven’t sewn a bias cut before, I would 100% recommend, depending on the fabric used, to let the dress hang with its own weight in case there is any stretching that happens to the hem as it’s on the bias (I would recommend at least a a day, but it can be several) That way you can trim the bottom even if it happens beforehand, so you don’t have to re-hem it later 😅This can definitely happen if you use the slinkier fabric at a longer length ❤ love this tutorial useful

[whensarahdoesthings]

Aah amazing!! I've been wanting to make a puff sleeve dress with this shape, you broke it down so well, especially all the measurements. Thank you!

[whatnow]

Love this style of slip dress because it’s bra friendly. About to attempt making this with a pretty printed charmeuse I found on sale at Joanns. Thanks for the tutorial.

[alanax_]

It was lovely to see your process! I made a similar dress a month ago, but with a ruffle detail on the outside and a zip

[sophiacuevas]

Thank you so much, made my own dress and you helped me a lot

[lucyspearl]

Absolutely cannot wait to get home from work to try this dress! Thank you!