So there was a sweatshirt I bought some time ago that never really fit me right. I would only wear it around the house, and not even that often. During a shopping trip to Zinck’s Fabric Outlet in Berlin I found wool yardage that I fell in love with. My immediate thought was I could use it to turn my sweatshirt into a lounge dress for cold weather days. (You can read about that trip here)
We live in an older house that has its drafty bits and everything runs off electric. For us this means a heat pump for winter, and let me tell you when the temperature drops that heat pump is not efficient. There is a fireplace we use on the really chilly days, or when visitors stop by and we want them to defrost. But for the most part we just dress a little warmer and use blankets when lounging on the couch.
I love my blankets, but when I’m moving about they are not feasible. And this is where my idea stemmed from, a nice wool blanket I can wear around the house! Before we get started I want you to know that (1) I have never sewn an article of clothing before, and (2) I do not have a pattern for this. I do have experience with quilts, pillows, and other simple household decor items. I have watched others on YouTube and knew enough that I just wanted to wing it and make it as simple as possible.
Materials Used
For this project I used the following materials:
- Sweatshirt
- 1 1/2 yards wool material
- Black thread that matched my wool material
- Cream thread that matched my sweatshirt
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Measuring tape
- Tailor’s chalk
- Cutting mat
Process to Make a Lounge Dress for Cold Weather Without a Pattern
- Remove the hem from the sweatshirt using rotary cutter and ruler. Get the ruler as close to the seam as possible.
- Measure the length you will need for the wool. I did this by putting the sweatshirt on and measuring to where I wanted it to fall in length.
- If hemming, add 1 1/2″ to this measurement. I chose to add a decorative stitch to the bottom of the dress and then frayed the material, and therefore only added 1/2″ to the length.
- Fold the fabric in half with selvage edges together. The fold will be on the width of fabric.
- Remove the selvages.
- Cut the length you measured from the unfolded side. I used a measuring tape and marked the length across the width using tailor’s chalk, then used my ruler and rotary cutter to trim to length.
- Fold each side in 1/2″ and press. Then fold over again and press and pin in place.
- Stitch this side hem in place. For this I decided to use a blanket stitch, or shell tuck edge, which is similar to a blind hem stitch and seemed fitting for the wool material. It reminds me of my applique stitches for quilts.
- Repeat for the hem at the bottom OR choose a decorative stitch and run this about 1/2″ from the bottom and then fray the material.
- Fold the fabric to fit the width of the bottom of your sweatshirt overlapping to form a slit, sort of like a wrapped skirt. This prevents having to create side seams and allows more movement during lounging or sleeping. I decided to have the overlap at the front of my dress, but you can place it at your discretion.
- Turn the sweatshirt inside out and place wool skirt portion of dress inside shirt, right sides facing.
- Sew together with and overcast stitch.
- Turn sweatshirt right side out and topstitch the seam you just sewn in place.
- Voila! that is how you can make a lounge dress for cold weather without a pattern.
Lessons Learned for Next Dress
Let’s just say this dress is not perfect, and I never dreamed that it would be. However, I am enjoying it and am completely satisfied with the results. Yet, there are some things I will take into consideration for my next one, because I am definitely making more for this chilly weather.
First, choose a sweatshirt that is heavier in weight and fits you well in the shoulders and arms. There is a reason I did not like this sweatshirt to begin with and it was not just the length, as I thought it was. The style just doesn’t fit quite as well as I would like in my shoulders. However, at least now I will wear it!
Next, make sure you cut your sweatshirt to fall a 1/2″ below where you want it to stop and the skirt portion to start. I would have cut an additional 2-3″ from the bottom if I chose this sweatshirt again.
Lastly. make sure the bottom of the sweatshirt tapers as you would want it to. Without me taking any width in I have a boxy effect to the dress. I don’t mind it for the house, but if I wanted to wear it out it is not as flattering as I would like.
Summary of Making a Lounge Dress for Cold Weather
This can absolutely be made as a beginner sewing project. I think it is a simple way to get into sewing clothing and inspiring you to learn more. I think next time I am going to experiment with creating two panels for the skirt and trying to get an A frame type bottom with a more tapered top. Once I get around to that I will create a post and show the results. I may even try to film that one.
Most importantly, just try it! If you are afraid of ruining something, go to the thrift store and find an inexpensive sweatshirt and maybe an old wool coat. Or find a blanket that is a type of material you like and practice with that before buying wool fabric. If this is something you want to try do not make excuses not to. Perfection is not necessary and at worst you have something you can’t wear outside the house. Do not let fear stop you from anything. Or your inability to follow a pattern, if you have that problem like I do.
And yes! I am wearing this dress as I create this post. It is nice and toasty!!
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