DIY Racerback Dress in Blue Stripes

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases made through these links will help support the blog at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your amazing support and please see my disclosure policy for more information.

One of the many reasons I love sewing is the versatility it gives you in creating a DIY wardrobe. Once you have learned some basic skills you can easily mix and match patterns to create your own looks. As you develop those skills, you can begin drafting your patterns to use as well. For this DIY Racerback Dress I will be using a commercial pattern for the bodice and a simple rectangle for the bottom. While I am using a specific pattern, you can create this same look with any sewing pattern designed for a woven dress that has a separate bodice piece.

DIY Racerback Dress:

Supplies:

-Pattern for a fitted bodice. I used the bodice from an older Simplicity 4991 pattern. I chose this pattern because a) it was in my stash and b) I liked the racerback top. Other dress patterns will work. Pick a pattern that has a separate bodice piece.

-Fabric: I used a cotton fabric from Hobby Lobby (I believe it is currently available from Joann Stores) and a lining fabric from my stash. You will need a non stretch woven for this specific look. I chose a fabric with a little body so the skirt does not lay flat against my body. Depending on the look you want you can choose the fabric of your choice.

–Invisible Zipper

-Sewing Machine, scissors, thread

Steps and Modifications:

Cut out your bodice pattern and assemble it per the directions, minus the zipper. I assembled the front and back bodice from both the main fabric and lining and attached them together. I left one underarm side seam open at this point. This is where the zipper is attached for my pattern due to the racerback shape on the back.
**Modification** I changed the skirt on my dress to be a simple gathered skirt. You will need two identical pieces for the front and the back. Cut the skirt pieces your desired length X 1.5 – 2 times your waist measurement (remembering to add in seam allowance.) In my case I used up what I had left of the fabric and those became my measurements 🙂 I also turned the fabric to have the stripes running in an opposite direction. (This was also due to minimal fabric but I liked the look of it.) It reminded me of this pin that I have had on my inspiration board for awhile now.
Gather your skirt using two rows of basting stitches along the top. Pull your basting threads until your gathered skirt matches the width of your bodice. (I prefer to gather my skirt front and back separately but you can also do this step after sewing the side seam. ) Sew the side seams of your skirt **make sure to leave the top 6-7 inches of the right side seam open to add the zipper**. I also added in seam pockets during this step.
Attach your main bodice front to your skirt, matching your side seam. Keep the lining out of the way while attaching the bodice to the skirt front.
Attach your invisible zipper to the side seam of your dress. Here is an easy video tutorial to follow from Kenneth King.
Finish your lining by pressing a 5/8 inch seam allowance to the wrong side on the raw edge. Then, sew your lining to the zipper (I like to do this by machine) and then attach your lining to the waist seam by hand stitching.

A quick and easy modification to an older sewing pattern created this cute new racerback dress for the summer.

I have posted a couple more of my favorite dresses here, here, and here.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!