How To Make An Easy Scuba Fabric Dress
Free Sewing Tutorial By Sewing Bee Fabrics
Scuba fabric is a polyester double knit fabric which holds it's shape better than jersey buy not as much as neoprene. It is perfect for plus size sewing because the extra structure helps it to fall away from the body rather than clinging to any unflattering spots. This free scuba dress pattern is made only with your body measurements. You can either follow the video tutorial below or scroll on down for our step by step photos.
What You Will Need:
- Scuba Fabric (or other knit jersey fabric) - approximately 2 metres depending on your size. I got my dress and a toddler dress from my 2 metres by cutting carefully to squeeze it all on.
- Thread
First off, you need 4 measurements:
- Over bust (where you want the top of the dress to sit at the top).
- Waist
- Distance between over bust and waist
- Distance between waist and desired skirt length.
To make the bodice, cut 2 pieces which are half your over bust measurement plus approx. 2cm / an inch along the top width, half the waist measurement plus approx. 2cm / an inch along the bottom, and the height of the over bust to waist measurement plus 1cm or 1/4 - 1/2 inch. If you are on the curvey side around the bust, you may want to add a slight curve at bust height to allow a little more wiggle room there. You can always take it in more if you feel like you don't need it after you've sewn it. Place the 2 pieces right side together and stitch up the sides. I prefer to use a knit foot and double needle. Try it on after if you want to check whether you need to take it in any more around the bust. This should just be comfortably close, not skin tight. Remember you will have straps to hold everything in place.
Now measure the bottom of the bodice. The width of both sides will be the circumference of your waist. To make a circle skirt, simply take this measurement and use it with a circle calculator such as this one to find out what your radius is.
Take a large piece of paper at least twice the size of your radius (wrapping paper works well). Fold in half, then half again, then half again and again until it looks like a wedge shape. Measure your radius from the pointy end towards the edge on the top and bottom then snip across. When you unfold it you should have a circle shape. Fold your fabric in half to make the biggest amount of material from your width (I prefer to fold mine diagonally). Now fold your circle in half and position in the centre with pins. Measure out from the circle the desired skirt length plus one seam allowance. Mark this point with a pin. Repeat all the way around until you have a large circle outline to follow. Carefully cut out the small and large circle. Keep hold of the small circle for later.
Pin your inner circle to your bodice (pattern sides together) making sure that you have spread your pins evenly. I like to mark the circle into at least quarters. That way if the fabric starts to stretch and distort as you sew the edges of the inner circle and dress bodice then it is easier to spot it and correct it to keep it even.
The sleeves for this dress pattern are made from the inner circle. Simply cut it in half. If you are particularly slender, tall or large, you may need to adjust your circle size. Typically though a circle of 15cm-20cm radius (approx. 6 - 8 inches) should suit most people.
To line the semi circle pieces up, simply fold in half and place the straight edges in the centre. Angle the top as you would for any other top to sit on the shoulders (ie. with it slanting slightly downwards on the outer edge. Pin in place then try it on to see if the position needs adjusting.
Stitch in place.
And it's finished already! See, told you that was a quick free dress pattern to sew! Scuba is a knit fabric that holds its shape well so it wont fray, and doesn't need hemming or finishing in any other way.
Have you sewn with scuba fabrics? What is your favourite dress style to make?
Good Day
I just love this dress, where can i download the free pattern
Thank you! If you read through the tutorial or watch the video, it’ll tell you how to draft the dress yourself with your own measurements (don’t worry, it’s pretty easy!). I hope you have fun trying it out!
So easy to make and I am so happy with it 🙂
I’m so pleased the dress came out so well for you. The photo you shared of it looked fantastic!
Thank you so much for the tutorial, very helpful, but I want ask if you added a zipper or there is no need for scuba fabric?
For this style of dress there is no need for a zipper as the scuba fabric has enough stretch to easily be able to get it on and off.
Buenas noches vendeis tela a España?
Yes, you can see the additional postage by adding the fabric to the cart then selecting Spain as the country to post to. 🙂
This dress is so lovely. I have made one for myself to go to a wedding. Is there a way to post you a picture? X
Oh I would love to see!!! You could show me on our facebook page or tag me @sewingbeefabric on instagram or email me at linda@sewingbeefabrics.co.uk
How would you add a little curve?
That dress really suits you
Thank you so much, that’s so kind of you to say.
This is a really cute dress!! I hope to get to create this very soon! thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! If you have a go, I’d love to see how it turns out.
This is so amazing! I’ve never tried this fabric, but it looks so interesting and you and your lovely gal look amazing!! 🙂 Lisa
Thank you so much Lisa, that really is so kind of you to say 😀
It looks lovely on you 🙂 Love the choice of fabric pattern too!
Thank you so much, that’s so kind of you to say.
Can I make a straight dress with the fabric?
Yep. The weight of the scuba fabric would hang very straight. Just be aware that it will hang straight at the waist too unless shaped in some way, so it can be prone to looking a bit potato sack like if its something like a loose t-shirt dress, so I’d recommend adding a little more shape at the waist unless you can pull off that style better than I can!