Make a Duct Tape Dress

Want a gorgeous hand-made dress that just screams, "How creative!"? Design a unique, one-of-a-kind duct tape dress with these very steps. You'll be sure to be the belle of the ball. Don't forget your duct tape purse!

Steps

With a Dress Pattern

1. Pick out a dress pattern and duct tape color. You're no longer a slave to the standard gray! Head to your local fabric and hardware stores (or even Target or Walmart) and go crazy.
   • Dress patterns can be found for under $10 at most fabric supply stores.
   • A size 10 body needs about 2 rolls of 60-yd (55 m) duct tape, depending on the pattern.
2. Lay out strips of duct tape. This is easiest to do on a hardwood or clean tile floor. Getting duct tape stuck to your carpet is like getting gum out of your hair.
   • Lay them sticky side up, slightly overlapping each other. Lay out enough to cover the dress pattern and then some.
   • Cover them with a thin cotton cloth. Wrinkles aren't a serious issue; if you see some, don't fret.
     • Plastic wrap is usable here, but it won't do you any favors in soaking up sweat (or being comfortable) when worn.
3. Cut out your shapes. Some dress patterns come with multiple options; just because you're working with duct tape does not mean you have to choose the easiest one.
   • Trace them on the cotton side of your duct tape material and cut the pieces out.
   • Make sure to think ahead when it comes to duct tape lines--do you want your pieces vertically or horizontally lined?
4. Fit the pieces together. You may feel like Sisyphus here, but fear not! Any piece sticking out or bulging can be forced into its proper place. You're the boss, after all.
   • Peel back about 5/8 of an inch (1.6 cm) of your backing (plastic wrap or thin cloth) and join the pieces together with this slight overlap.
   • Layer the seam with a piece of duct tape on the front, if desired.
   • Cover any raw edges with folding. Peel back the cloth or plastic layer to adhere as necessary.
5. Consider gathering and hemming. Even though you're working with duct tape, this is doable! If your pattern calls for it, go on ahead.
   • To gather your duct tape fabric, simply scrunch it with your fingers, then wrap a 1/2" strip of tape around the edges to hold it in place. Position it on another pattern piece as directed by the instructions, then secure with more tape.
   • To hem your duct tape fabric, remove a couple inches of backing from the edge and carefully fold the edges in.
   • Make a cut down the back, if necessary. You have the option to add velcro or a zipper, if desired.

With a T-Shirt

1. Assemble your materials. The last thing you want is to be standing in half a duct tape dress and discover you're missing something. Then again, the looks at your local Walmart would be priceless...
   • Scissors
   • Duct tape (1 to 1 1/2 rolls of 60-yd (55 m) tape for a size 10 figure)
   • T-shirt
   • Person to wear the T-shirt
   • Marker
2. Put on an oversized T-shirt. Any color will do. The T-shirt will adhere to the duct tape and not be seen. And, as a result, wearing the duct tape dress is a lot more comfortable.
   • The T-shirt should extend to the desired length of the dress. Don't concern yourself with whether or not it's too baggy; length is all that matters.
   • If the T-shirt is not long enough, attach extra material (as haphazardly as you choose) to extend. This is the underside and does not have to be pretty.
3. Start wrapping the tape horizontally. Begin at the bottom edge of the T-shirt, starting at the back and wrapping around.
   • Use strips--it's easiest to have a tape-cutting helper. If you wrap it like a mummy, you're likely to curve absent-mindedly. Using strips creates linear angles.
   • Don't be worried about overlapping too much. Duct tape is one of the most versatile, miraculous things on the planet. If you mess up or create a hole, it can be easily fixed.
   • Wrap a little more loosely around the waist than you do the hips and thighs. At least initially--you'll be wrapping tighter later on.
4. Use shorter pieces arranged in a pattern around the bust. Feel free to change directions; let your creativity flow.
   • Short pieces of tape capture the contours of the bust better. Arrange them so they radiate out from the center of the bust area.
5. Cut the T-shirt to match your dress pattern. When using a T-shirt as your pattern, it's easiest to make a sleeveless, high-necked duct tape dress, but feel free to deviate from this norm.
   • If you want a higher neck, use plastic wrap to protect the neck area and extend accordingly.
6. Wrap twice more. You'll be wanting to go a bit snugger this time.
   • Don't skip this part! Three layers ensure the durability of your dress.
   • It's a good idea to wrap horizontally, vertically, and then horizontally again.
     • If you're super-creative, take this to the next step and try weaving.
7. Mark the wearer's natural waistline. Have your guinea pig bend a little to make this easier to gauge.
   • Using a marker, make a line all around the natural waistline.
   • Use this line later when wearing and add a strip of duct tape for a cinched waist.
8. Cut down the center of the back for removal. Or, heck, keep it on!
   • You can close the dress with additional tape, attach velcro or a zipper, or place it on a stand.
   • Keep your hand between the T-shirt and the wrapped body to avoid cutting undergarments or flesh.

Tips

• Want a shiny, glittery dress? Add a little bit of glitter glue to your dress, or use a metallic duct tape for more shine.
• One shoulder dresses, spaghetti strap dresses, and sleeveless (high or low neck) dresses are easiest to make.
• Make a Duct Tape Flower to your dress! Or three. Think outside the box and embellish away.
• Conceal a zipper in the back of your dress. You can find a zipper and easily duct tape it to your dress while you're working on it.
• Be prepared for questions; people will probably stare.
• The sheen to silver and occasionally gold duct tape wears off; beware and be gentle when constructing your dress.
• A long, slightly thick strip of duct tape can be tied in the back of the dress like a ribbon. Use another color of duct tape for more pizzazz.
• Wear a slip and a tank top/cami while wearing your dress. Nothing is worse than having an irritating dress.

Warnings

• Duct tape can hurt if it gets stuck in your hair (or anywhere).
• Be sure to go to an allergy doctor to find out if you're allergic to products in duct tape before making the dress.
• Duct tape is flammable. Keep your dress away from flames just as you would a normal dress (and maybe even more, as it is hard to take off).

Things You'll Need

With a Dress Pattern

• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Marker
• Dress pattern
• Thin cloth or plastic wrap
• Zipper or velcro (optional)
• Clean surface

With a T-shirt

• Duct tape
• Scissors
• T-shirt
• Marker
• Plastic wrap

Related Articles

• Make a Duct Tape Dress Form
• Make a Duct Tape Flower
• Make a “No Sew” Bag Using Duct Tape
• Use Duct Tape

Sources and Citations

• http://duckbrand.com/promotions/stuck-at-prom

See also

• Buy an Office Wardrobe on a Budget
• Make a Cute Duct Tape Bracelet
• Use Duct Tape
• Stone Wash
• Make a Duct Tape Rose
• Be Stylish Without Spending a Lot of Money
• Make a Duct Tape Bullwhip
• Make a Duct Tape Book Cover
• Make a Duct Tape Turtle
• Make a Duct Tape Flower Pen

Read more ...

What links here

• Make a Duct Tape Dress Form
• Make a Duct Tape Mini Skirt
• Use Duct Tape