DIY: Winter Maxi Dress

So, in my last OOTD post I wore this dress. I designed and made it myself. If you want to see how, just keep scrolling! 

For this dress I used 2 yards of fabric (plus a little extra of another for the neckline) in different color/fabrics, but you could always just use 2 yards of the same fabric. I got this fabric really cheap at Walmart. It cost me less than $7 to make this dress!  

I began by taking half my waist measurement (plus seam allowance) and cutting two pieces of fabric that look like this, and will fit my waist and hips at the top.

Then I cut two pieces that are the width of the bottom skirt pieces.

I'm made the top of the dress with the same grey, using a sweater that I already own, as a pattern.

I cut the body of the sweater out, and customized the neckline and length for this design. 

Then I used the sleeves as a pattern, leaving plenty of seam allowance. 

I pinned and sewed the shoulders, and then pinned and sewed the sleeves on.

Next, I sewed up the side of the sweater and the sleeves.

I attached the bottom rectangle of fabric to the skirt on both pieces. 

Then sewed them together.

I put the top, right sides together, with the skirt and added a lining (lining is optional). I sewed it all together and went back in and sewed elastic around the waist. Then you just flip everything right side out. I finished the edge of the neckline but decided to leave the rest raw. I also made it slightly high-low. 

I hope this was helpful!