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How to sew an infinity dress

Twist it, drape it, tie it... make one infinity dress, then enjoy countless ways to wear it! Portia Lawrie shows you how to sew a convertible infinity dress

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Portia Lawrie

Published: June 11, 2021 at 12:00 pm

This clever multi-style infinity wrap dress makes party dressing a doddle. With a multitude of configurations giving you lots of different looks, this one dress will see you through many parties! Read on to find our free sewing pattern and learn how to sew an infinity dress.

Whether you go demure, vampish, classic or asymmetric, this style gives you oodles of options to suit any occasion. What’s more, it’s simple and quick to make. You’re welcome…

6 ways to wear an infinity dress

{top row left to right, bottom row left to right}

Here are just a few of the ways to wear an infinity wrap dress:

  1. Twist the straps at the back and waist for a statement look
  2. Give a one-shoulder style a try
  3. Dare to bear & go strapless
  4. Try a cross back and sweetheart neckline
  5. Cover up with a crossover neckline
  6. Wrap over a necklace to add a unique detail.

This infinity wrap dress is bespoke to you and can be worn differently each time, so there's no chance of another partygoer wearing the same frock as you! It's a great choice if you're looking to sew your own bridesmaids' dresses too: each dress can be made to measure in the same fabric, then worn in a different way: so each member of the bridal party can style it to suit their personality and body shape. It's a good idea to take a look online for inspiration as there are endless ways to wear an infinite dress – as the name suggests!

An added bonus of this infinity wrap dress project is that it's actually pattern-less – making it a great choice for those of you who are new to dressmaking.

This infinity dress pattern was originally created by Portia Lawrie for Simply Sewing Magazine. Portia is an Essex-based designer, maker and founder of The Refashioners. She loves to design easy-to-sew patterns for Simply Sewing Magazine. You can see more of Portia's designs over on her website makery.co.uk.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our 20 best sewing patterns for beginners to find more easy-to-sew dresses, tops and accessories. If you're getting ready for a birthday or are looking for last-minute Christmas ideas, then take a look at our list of 25 quick gifts to sew when you're short of time.

New to sewing? Take a look at our how to use a sewing machine, best sewing machines for beginners and sewing for beginners guides. We've also found some great sewing kits for beginners to help you get started.

Infinity dress tutorial

You will need

  • Jersey fabric: 150cm (60in) wide x 3 metres (3¼yds)
  • Tracing paper
  • Tailor’s chalk
  • Ruler
  • Basic sewing kit

Choosing your fabric

Select a medium-weight jersey with a good drape and a minimum of 20-30% stretch. We used Milano jersey in purple from Fabric Godmother, which comes in several gorgeous colourways. It’s soft, drapey and has the right amount of stretch and recovery for repeated tying.

Here are three jersey fabrics which would work well for this pattern:

Montreux Fabrics Exclusive Washed Out Feathery Tai Print Jersey Fabric, Navy

This pretty fabric is perfect for a summer infinity dress! Wear it out for drinks, for an evening meal or even on a trip to the beach.

Jersey feathers and dots

These pretty jersey fabrics can be used to make a light and stylish infinity dress. Choose between punkte (dotted) or federn (feathers) in a range of lovely colours. Please note that the shipping cost is £4.50 to the UK as the supplier is based in Germany.

Berry red floral jersey fabric

We love this cheerful floral jersey fabric! It's beautifully soft and perfect for dressmaking. Use it to make your own stunning floral frock for every occasion.

Notes

  • When stitching on jersey, select a narrow zigzag stitch width with a regular size 3 stitch length setting for the seams. Finish by zigzagging or overlocking.
  • Use a 1cm (3⁄8in) seam allowance.

Read on to learn how to make our infinity dress pattern…

You will need:

  • Jersey fabric
  • Matching thread
  • Basic sewing kit

Making the pattern

Step 1

The basis of this infinity dress pattern is a circle skirt, with a folded jersey waistband and two long panel ties attached at the waist. To start, you’ll need your waist measurement and the desired length of the skirt (this can be no more than half the width of your selected fabric).

Take your waist measurement, say 30in, and calculate as follows: 30in÷6.28 = 4.8. This is the radius of the waist opening you need. Add this to your desired skirt length, say 24in, and calculate as follows: 24in+4.8 = 28.8in (rounded up to 29in).

How to make an infinity dress step 1

Step 2

To make the skirt pattern, mark two lines at right angles to each other on your paper, that measure 29in long. Mark a point 4.8in (your waist radius) along each line from the corner and join with a short smooth curve for your waistline. Join the far ends of each line with a long smooth curve (that’s your hemline).

The easiest way to do this is to tie a length of string to a pencil and anchor the other end to the top of the line with a drawing pin to the length of the straight line, then draw the curve.

Infinity Dress sewing pattern step 2

Cutting out the fabric

Step 1

Cut out your infinity dress pattern piece. Fold your fabric in half selvedge to selvedge, then in half again in the opposite direction. Place your pattern piece on the fabric so the straight edges align with the folded edges of your fabric, and pin or weight in place.

Infinity Dress Free Sewing Pattern step 3

Step 2

Cut through all four layers of fabric in one go; one cut along the waistline curve, and one along the hemline curve. Open out and you will have a complete circle with a hole in the middle for your waist!

How to sew an infinity dress step 4

Step 3

Cut two panels the full width of your fabric and around 30cm (12in) deep. The depth of them will depend on your bust. Measure from your side, across your bust point and about 2.5cm (1in) past the centre of your breastbone. Cut these sections carefully as the edges are unfinished.

How to sew an infinity dress step 5

Making the dress

Step 1

Mark the centre front and sides of your waist opening. Pin the panels right sides (RS) together on the skirt (with the panels laying towards the hem of the skirt) between these two marks, overlapping them at the centre front waist so they fit between the side marks.

How to sew an infinity dress step 6

Step 2

Machine or hand tack the panels in place so they lie flat.

How to sew an infinity dress step 7

Step 3

Next, cut your waistband. This is a band of fabric 16cm (63⁄8in) wide. The length should be slightly shorter than your waist measurement to allow for stretch (try it on to get this right) with 1cm (3⁄8in) added either end for a seam allowance.  Stitch the short ends RS together to make a tube then fold it in half lengthways.

How to sew an infinity dress step 8

Step 4

Attach the two raw edges to the waist of your skirt, sandwiching the tie panels between the raw edges of the waistband and the skirt itself. Stitch together, easing the waistband on.

How to sew an infinity dress step 9

Step 5

As sections of the skirt end up cut on the bias, by nature they will have more stretch and over time the hem will stretch out unevenly. Therefore, if you hem it straight away, the hem will end up wonky, so leave it for a day or two and let it do its thing and stretch out.

How to sew an infinity dress step 10

Step 6

When the skirt has finished stretching out, find the shortest part of the hem. This should be where the fabric was cut on the grain. With the dress on a dress form (or on you with a friend to help!), use a ruler to measure up from the floor, and make a note of this measurement.

How to sew an infinity dress step 11

Step 7

Mark all the way round the hem with pins the same distance from the floor. Keeping your scissors parallel to the floor, cut all the way round that line of pins as smoothly as possible, then remove the pins.

How to sew an infinity dress step 12

Even out any ‘scissor jags’, turn under and stitch to hem. You’ve finished making this gorgeous infinity wrap dress, now grab a clutch and go party!

Top stitching tips

  • Leave the ties off the dress and you’ll have a classic circle skirt! 
  • Make this up in black for the ultimate Little Black Dress.
  • Use a simple rectangle to create a gathered skirt if you want a maxi length .
  • This multi-way frock would make an awesome bridesmaid dress. Make them all in the same colour and allow your bridesmaids to personalise each one by tying them in different configurations!
  • Try using alternatives to the circle shape such as an oval, square or rectangle for different drape and hemline effects.
  • Use good quality thread and a ballpoint or jersey needle that is rounder at the top. This will slide between the fabric threads rather than piercing them to avoid snags.
  • For a two-tone look, make the panels and skirt from different coloured jersey fabric.

Portia Lawrie

Sewing designer

Essex maker, blogger and creator of The Refashioners, Portia sews, knits and has been a regular contributor to Simply Sewing magazine since it launched in 20015. She’s been writing her blog Makery (formerly Miss P) since 2009 and founded The Refashioners challenge, calling on bloggers to refashion a garment to highlight how cool, creative and ecologically sound refashioning old garments actually is. Portia’s sewing super power is creating easy-to-sew, accessible-for-all garments for Simply Sewing magazine, often with no pattern needed so the maker can draft them to their own measurements. She lists family, hazelnut lattes, Indian food and singing into hairbrushes as her loves. Find her on Instagram @portialawrie.
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