DIY Cheetah Sheath Dress

DIY

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Cool fabric in a chic print + easy silhouette with a flattering twist = the best fancy summer DIY dress to date! Read on for details of how to create this easy-to-wear beauty in one afternoon.

This sheath dress was one of those unassuming projects that I didn’t expect much from but that turned out surprisingly successful! I love when that happens.

As is my MO lately, I found myself perusing Joann Fabrics with one project in mind and went home with 4 other, unrelated fabrics that I just couldn’t leave behind. This polyester crepe was one of them but as much as I loved the fabric, I had a hard time envisioning it in a specific style.

When I got home and started pairing fabrics with patterns, I grabbed my previously unopened envelope containing Simplicity R10246 and knew that they’d be a match made in sewing bliss!

I had expected the pattern to be more fitted and have more style details (a waist seam, darts, etc) when in reality it’s just a giant dolman sleeved rectangle with a waist tie. But surprisingly it turned out really flattering! The basic silhouette also means that it’s super beginner friendly and just about anyone could make this thing.

Size note: I made a size 16 which matched up almost perfectly with my measurements on the envelope. I could’ve probably sized down one size but I’m pretty happy with how it fits as is!

I did have a little cutting faux pas when I accidentally cut one front piece and one back piece upside down; I was so mad at myself! And while I realize that most people in passing would never notice my upside down cheetahs, I myself couldn’ve live with that sort of sloppiness (at least where I could see it).

So I cut the back neckline as low as the front and just put the upside down pieces both on the back so that the front looked right. Apologies to whoever sits behind me in church. If we ever go back to church…

This lower back neckline works just fine except the back neck slit is now a little too low so that’s the only thing I’ll be adjusting sometime in the future. Definitely not a deal breaker and I’m overall super happy with it. I finished it on a Saturday afternoon right before a family party, wore it to the party and then wore it all day Sunday as well.

That’s a winner, in my book!

Here’s the details on another animal print dress I made without a pattern. This one is also a huge favorite!

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