How to Make a No Sew Dress

Co-authored by Jae Mee Kim and Amber Crain

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 References

Who needs a sewing machine anyway? You can easily upcycle something you already own into an adorable dress without touching a needle and thread. All you need is a pair of scissors and a few minutes! In this article, we'll walk you through the simple process for creating a no-sew mini dress out of a T-shirt. We'll also share a few other creative no-sew dress ideas you can experiment with. Scroll on down to get started!

Things You Should Know

Turn an oversized T-shirt inside out and spread it out flat. Place a tank top that fits you well on top of the T-shirt and cut around it as a guide.
Hot glue the side seams of the shirt together for a simple option. For peek-a-boo side seams, cut strips along the sides and knot them together.
To make a simple dress out of a maxi skirt, pull the skirt all the way up to your armpits and add a belt to give the dress more structure.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Easy T-Shirt Mini Dress

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1
Turn an over-sized T-shirt inside out and spread it out flat. Choose a shirt that’s long enough to provide some upper leg coverage. Smooth any wrinkles so the shirt is resting flat against the floor or table in front of you.^{[1]
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- The mini dress can be as short as you'd like, of course! Just make sure the shirt is long enough to cover your upper thighs so you can wear the dress in public.
- Don’t worry if the shirt is baggy on you—you'll be adjusting the fit to your liking.
Pick a tank top that fits you well—you're just using it as a guideline so you can control how the dress will fit. Spread the tank top flat on top of the T-shirt and center it so the straps and neckline are in the correct positions.^{[2]
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3
Cut along the sides of the tank top to create the dress shape. Use sharp fabric scissors and cut about ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) away from the tank top to account for the dress seams.https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-No-Sew-Dress Cut off the sleeves but leave the shirt collar for now—you can adjust the neckline later if you want.^{[3]
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- The end result will be a sleeveless mini dress. If you want your dress to have sleeves, leave the T-shirt sleeves instead of cutting them off.
4
Use hot glue to seal the side seams of the dress. Peel back the top layer of the T-shirt and place a 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) line of hot glue along second layer's side seam, starting at the bottom hem. Put the top layer of the shirt back in place and press the material together along the seam to bond the fabric.^{[4]
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- Continue working in 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) sections until you reach the armpit hole. Repeat the process for the other side seam until both seams are glued.
5
Cut strips along the sides and tie them together for a racier look. Try this simple trick if you want intricate peek-a-boo side seams. Starting ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) below the armpit, cut 2 in (5.1 cm) horizontal lines all the way down to the bottom of the seam. Space the lines ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) apart. Do the same down the other side seam. Then, flip both layers of the shirt over to be right side out, line them up, and tie the strips together using double knots.^{[5]
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- Be sure to cut through both shirt layers as you're making horizontal cuts.https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-No-Sew-Dress
- To create an hourglass or body-con dress shape, start with 3 in (7.6 cm) horizontal cuts under the armpit and move to 2 in (5.1 cm) cuts as you get closer to the bottom hem.
6
Turn the sleeve edges back ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) and glue them down. You don’t have to do this, but it creates a cleaner edge for the sleeves once you turn the dress right side out. Just fold the sleeve material back about ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) and hot glue the material down. Do the same for the other sleeve.^{[6]
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- If you kept the shirt sleeves instead of cutting them off, skip this step.
- Give the hot glue about 5 minutes to dry and fully set.
7
Turn the shirt right side out and cut a scoop or V-neck, if desired. Now it’s time to try on your dress and see how it fits! If you like the way the neckline looks as is, you’re all set. If not, take of the dress off and cut a slit down the center of the collar for a V-neck. Or, cut a U-shape around the shirt collar if you'd prefer a scoop neckline.^{[7]
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- Leave the neckline edges raw, or glue them back ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) like you did with the sleeves for a cleaner edge.
- Cinch the dress around your waist with a cute belt for a more fitted look.
- To style your T-shirt dress, add a few eye-catching accessories. Then, pair the dress with simple shoes like ballet flats, sandals, or flip-flops.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Other No-Sew Dress Hacks

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If you have a maxi skirt that you love, you can elevate it to a full-length dress without sewing a stitch! Put the maxi skirt on like normal and pull the waistband all the way up so it’s sitting right beneath your armpits. Wear a matching belt around your waist to create more structure.^{[8]
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2
Wrap and tie a piece of fabric around you to make a summery sarong. If you have a gorgeous piece of fabric that you’d love to turn into a dress, coverup, or skirt, try this simple trick. Shake out the material and wrap it around your waist or under your armpits for the coverage you want. Then, tie the ends of the material together to hold it in place. That’s all there is to it!
- If you’re worried about the fabric coming untied, safety pin the material together on the underside of the dress (so the pin doesn’t show).
- Use a length of cloth or fabric that’s about 6.5 feet (2.0 m) long. A tablecloth, bed sheet, or even a curtain could work for this!
3
Belt an oversized, button-down dress shirt around your waist. This trick takes almost no effort and can look really polished with cute ballet flats, a statement bag, and cat-eye sunglasses. Any dress shirt color or print that you like will work. Just make sure the dress shirt is long enough to cover the top of your thighs.^{[9]
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- For something super eye-catching and summery, try belting an oversized Hawaiian button-down. Pair it with matching sandals and oversized sunglasses. You're ready to hit the beach!

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I put a no-sew zipper on my dress?

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
Couture Bridal Designer
Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane.

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce

Couture Bridal Designer

Expert Answer

To add a zipper to a dress without sewing, gather your materials and prepare your fabric by pressing the seam allowances open. Position the zipper where you want it, then use fabric adhesive or a no-sew zipper kit to secure it in place. Follow the instructions provided with the adhesive or kit carefully. Test the zipper to ensure smooth operation. For additional guidance, consider watching video tutorials online.

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Question

How can I easily alter a no-sew dress?

Jae Mee Kim
Alterations Expert & Seamstress
Jae Mee Kim an Alterations Expert & Seamstress based in Baltimore, Maryland. Jae Mee Nuth Kim took over her mother's business and has been running Kim's Custom Tailor since 2015. She specializes in major and minor alterations, bridal and formal wear alterations, customization of garments, and leather repairs.

Jae Mee Kim

Alterations Expert & Seamstress

Expert Answer

First, identify the areas that you need to adjust and mark them with a fabric chalk or a pin. Then, use a double-sided fabric tape for quick fixes like adjusting hems or taking in the sides. For a more permanent solution, apply fabric glue to the necessary areas, press the fabric together then let it dry. For temporary alterations, use a safety pin or decorative brooches to cinch the waist, shorten the hem, or create new shapes. Additionally, adding a belt or sash can transform the dress’s silhouette and add shape without any sewing.

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How can you make a dress out of a tablecloth?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can wrap the tablecloth around your waist or right underneath your armpits. Then, tie the ends together to create a simple sarong. Safety pin the material on the understand of the dress if you're worried it might come untied.

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