How to Make a Summer Dress out of a Bedsheet

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: April 24, 2024 Approved

Is that summer dress you've been eyeing just too much for your tight budget? Make a summer dress out of a bedsheet to get the fashion you want without parting with your cash. This process creates a sleeveless dress that zips in the back and then ties around your neck.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Plan Your Dress

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1
Take your measurements. You will measure most accurately if you are unclothed.
- Measure your waist by wrapping a vinyl tape measure around it.
- Measure the distance from your waist to where you want the hem of the skirt to fall. For example, measure just above or just below your knee depending on your preferred skirt length.
- Check the distance from your waist to your shoulder.
- Wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your bust.
If the fabric is sheer, then plan to use 2 layers of fabric for your dress. Alternatively, use the sheet and a second lining fabric such as white cotton.

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Choose white or a neutral color that will blend in with the fabric.
4
Unpick the bedsheet seams using a seam ripper.
- Use the seam ripper to cut every second or third stitch. Then, use your fingers, not the seam ripper, to pull out the threads.
- If you're using a fitted sheet, fold the sheet into quarters and cut off the elastic around the perimeter.
If the unpicked stitches left large holes in the fabric, then trim the edge off of the bedsheet so that the holes don't look unattractive when you're wearing the dress. Save the fabric and use it to make ties for the dress later.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Cut Out the Skirt

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1
Create a skirt pattern.
- Draw a semicircle on a piece of paper. The length of the semicircle should equal the length of your waist plus 2" (5 cm) for seams.
- Draw a straight line from the left base of the semicircle toward the outside edge of the paper. This line's measurement should equal the length of your skirt plus an additional 2" (5 cm) for seams.
- Draw a second line on the right side. The second line should have the same measurements as the first.
- Draw a second semicircle from the tip of the left line to the tip of the right line.
To make the process simple, place the flat edges of the pattern paper against the edge of the fabric.
Use straight pins to pin the bedsheet to the lining. Doing this will keep the fabric from rippling or shifting while you cut.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Create Straps

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Or use the fabric that you reserved if you chose to trim the edge off of your bedsheet.
Fold 1 edge of the fabric (lengthwise) over to meet the other edge so that only the inside of the fabric is visible.
Cut the fabric in half along the fold.
These will serve as the ties for your dress.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Sew the Shirt

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1
Sketch a shirt pattern on a large piece of paper. The pattern doesn't have to be perfect because you will try the shirt on and make adjustments later.
- Draw a line equal to the distance between your shoulder and waist on the paper. Add 2" (5 cm) for seams.
- Measure the distance from your hips to the widest part of your bust. On the line that you just drew, measure the same length, starting at the bottom of the line. Make a dot on the first line to mark the location of your bust on the pattern.
- Draw a line through the dot that you just drew. The length of the line should equal one-fourth of your bust measurement plus 2" (5 cm) for seams, and the dot should be at the midpoint of the line.
- Draw a line at the base of the shoulder-waist line that is perpendicular to the shoulder-waist line. This line should be one-fourth of your waist measurement plus 2" (5 cm) for seams.
- Rough-sketch the front half of the shirt. Sketch as though you are looking at the shirt from the side. Curve the sides inward slightly to give it a natural shape.
- Sketch the back of the shirt. The sketch should be approximately equal in size to the front with a section scooped out of the top.
Cut out 2 front pieces and 2 back pieces.
Cut 2 front shirt pieces and 2 back shirt pieces out of the lining material by cutting around the bedsheet pieces.
5
Pin the 4 pieces of the shirt together.
- Join the 2 front pieces with the pinned seam in the middle.
- Pin a 12" (30.5 cm) zipper to the back pieces. The shorter side of each back piece should be pinned to the edge of the zipper.
- Pin the back of the shirt to the front.
6
Try on the shirt with the fabric turned inside-out. Doing this will prevent you from poking yourself with the pins.
- Adjust the pinned seams as needed so that the shirt fits comfortably.
- Check the zipper to make sure that it fits snugly against your back and doesn't bulge.
- Tuck the seam in under your bust if needed. Do the same along your waist. Ignore the section above your bust for now because that will be fitted later.
- Take the shirt piece off and try it on after you make your initial adjustments. Keep trying it on until you have a good fit.
Just keep the zipper pinned into place.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Assemble the Dress

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1
Make the skirt.
- Sew the bedsheet and lining fabric together along the bottom edge of the skirt (the wider part of the semicircle) with the bed sheet fabric facing inward.
- Remove the pins and flip the skirt inside out.
Unpin the bottom 2 pins from the zipper so you can match the edges of the skirt to the edges of the shirt. Sometimes there will be some excess skirt material, so simply cut the excess fabric off of the skirt.
3
Add 4 pleats to the top of your skirt, placing 2 in front and 2 in back. Make sure the pleats are small so they don't make the flow of the skirt look boxy.
- Make sure the pleats are evenly spaced around the skirt. User your vinyl tape measure to double-check.
- Grasp the fabric and fold it over to the right as though you were starting to make a fan. Pin the folded section of fabric down so that it will stay in position.
- Iron the pleat to make it precise.
- Sew the pleats using downward stitches. Stop at the point where you want the skirt to twirl freely.
Make sure that the dress is folded inside-out to make your seam less visible.
Sew the back seam of the skirt up to 1/4" (6 mm) above where the end of the zipper would fall. Pin the zipper's final few inches down the back of the skirt, and sew it into place.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Finish the Project

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1
Put the dress on and place your hand on the excess fabric above the bust.
- Fold the excess fabric down, angling the fold either outward or inward. Pin the fold into place.
- For a scalloped neckline, pin the fold inwards.
- For a v-neck, pin outwards.
Hand sew the fold so the sewing is less prominent.
Pin them to the fabric and then sew them.
Fold the open edges inward just a little.
Hold the fold to make sure that it stays even. Tuck the fabric of the bodice inside the tube and pin it down'
Tie the tube ties around your neck and zip up the zipper.

Community Q&A

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Question

I don't have a sewing machine. Is it okay?

Community Answer

It would be fine. It would just take longer if you hand sew everything.

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Question

What if I look stupid?

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As long as you try your best and it comes out as a dress, you won't look stupid. People should acknowledge you for your talent.

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Question

What size sheet do I use?

Community Answer

If you're more slender, try either a full or twin. If you are plus size try using full or queen size sheets.

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Save any fabric scraps from your dress for a future project.

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Warnings

Take care of your hands throughout this process. Use lotion to keep them from drying out while you are sewing.

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Things You'll Need

Vinyl measuring tape
Bedsheet
Lining fabric
Seam ripper
Thread
Large sheets of paper
Pencil
Scissors
Straight pins
Sewing machine
12" (30.5 cm) zipper
Needle for hand-stitching

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How to Make a Summer Dress out of a Bedsheet

Steps

Plan Your Dress

Cut Out the Skirt

Create Straps

Sew the Shirt

Assemble the Dress

Finish the Project

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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References

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