Julie Finn
Yes, you can DIY your wedding dress!
If you’re the crafty type, and you’ve got a good bit of ingenuity, you can find yourself walking down the aisle not in a mass-produced, factory-made wedding dress, but in your very own hand-sewn, custom-made original.
Whether you’re upcycling, remaking, or sewing your wedding dress from scratch, check out these free wedding dress patterns and tutorials to get you started.
1. The DIY wedding dress process. Regardless of the fabric or style or pattern of wedding dress that you choose, THIS is the basic process that you’ll follow. Yes, it’s time-consuming, and yes, it can be tedious, but if there was ever a time for precision and perfection, then it’s when you’re DIYing your wedding dress.
2. Ball gown. Depending on your colorway, this dress would work equally well as a wedding dress or bridesmaid’s dress.
3. Boatneck dress. You might want to lengthen the skirt on this dress–or you might not!
4. Boning for a strapless wedding dress. Sometimes the main difference between a standard dress and a wedding dress is the construction; here, a tutorial on adding boning to a strapless dress shows you how to add structure to a standard pattern.
5. Cocktail dress pattern. A wedding doesn’t have to be the biggest production ever–perhaps all you want is a party, and all you need is the perfect cocktail dress. Here you go!
6. Crepe and chiffon wedding gown. This is a versatile pattern that flatters a variety of body types and goes through a size 18.
7. Crinoline. Even if you don’t want to make your entire wedding dress from scratch, a crinoline is an easy way to add something you’ve sewn yourself to your garment.
8. Crochet wedding dress. If you can crochet, I REALLY think that you should crochet your wedding dress!
9. Dip-dyed wedding dress. Here’s a great way to remake a thrifted or upcycled wedding dress. Dip-dye it an interesting color!
10. DIY bustle. You don’t necessarily have to build your entire wedding dress from scratch; you can save money and achieve the dress of your dreams simply by doing some of the refashioning yourself. Here, for instance, is a DIY method to bustle the train on your wedding dress.
11. DIY dress form. Custom clothing is most easily sewn–especially for yourself!–with a custom dress form on hand. Here’s how to make a duct tape dress form that’s custom-built just for you.
12. Elastic-waist evening dress. I LOVE how comfortable this dress looks, while still fitting into a formal theme. To make it even comfier, it’s secretly a two-piece garment.
13. Goddess gown. This beautiful dress has little structure and lots of drape, and as such, won’t work for everyone, but if it works for you, it’s a great way to sew a dress that you really CAN use over and over again–and honestly, that’s a far more traditional way to make a wedding dress than the current way.
14. How to hem a formal gown. Even doing your own hemming of your wedding dress can give you more custom options, as it allows you to use a thrifted or off-the-rack dress without shelling out for alterations. This method of hemming is accessible to an intermediate sewer.
15. Laced-back dress. Here’s a pro tip for those of you who are looking for even more free resources for wedding dress patterns and tutorials–search for prom dress patterns and tutorials, too! Lots of people DIY prom dresses, so there are a lot more tutorials to choose from, and often those tutorials are for dresses that are both thrifty and adventurous. This lace-up back dress, for example, was built to be a prom dress, but would make a beautiful and fairly easy to sew wedding dress, as well.
16. Lace maxi dress. The pattern and style of this dress are deceptively conservative; it’s the use of lace that makes it an over-the-top wedding dress! If you’re a seasoned thrifted, keep your eye out for antique lace tablecloths to make your dress even more special.
17. Linen wrap dress. One of the best circumstances in which you can sew your own wedding dress is if you’re looking for something simple and understated. In that case, you can often DIY the perfect dress using a pattern that isn’t wedding-themed at all. This linen wrap dress, for instance, would be perfect for an outdoor wedding.
18. Off-the-shoulder wedding dress. This downloadable pattern for a simple, off-the-shoulder wedding dress comes in sizes small through extra-large.
19. Off-the-shoulder ball gown. Here’s another free, downloadable pattern for a dress that’s similar to the previous one, but has a fuller skirt and a more structured bodice–it’s your fairy tale wedding gown!
20. Ruffle wedding dress. Burdastyle patterns are the BEST! This particular Burdastyle creation is light and fluttery, with ruffles at the spaghetti straps.
21. Satin belt. A sash or belt is another DIY way to add definition to a non-standard wedding dress.
22. Sweetheart dress with a bubble skirt. You have to imagine this dress in white, but think of how well the strapless bodice and bubble skirt will look as a wedding dress.
23. Tulle skirt. Add this tulle skirt to a suitable top or sew it to a fitted bodice.
24. Just add lights. This hack works with any of the tulle or lace dresses above–for an evening wedding, why not add twinkle lights to your skirt?
P.S. Want to skip the florist, as well? Check out these DIY, eco-friendly bouquets!
