…diy: three hole dress… (DIY)
DIY Three Hole Dress
DIY necklace
thrifted vintage jacket
flea market belt
American Apparel leggings
Colonial Madness Boots
The three hole dress. Arguably one of the easiest things to make and enough versatility to make you want one in every color. Here’s what you need:
- 2 yards of fabric
- scissors
If you’re anal and/or have OCSD tendencies (I refer to my newly created “Over-Complicating Shit Disorder), you’ll also need to perfect an oval pattern for the armholes (which, I promise, will be a lot smaller than you think) and bias tape to finish them.
Now, without insulting anyone’s intelligence (because cutting three holes in a dress doesn’t really require instructions), I’ll give you some pointers (read: my trials-and-errors) that may help you along the way:
- for the love of all things sacred, start in the middle of the fabric; one hole dead center and one hole on each side of the first
- measure your shoulders and add two inches to it; this is approximately how far you should place the second and third holes from the center hole (of course, you can go wider for more drape)
- before you cut the official holes, cut off a scrap square and practice first – I repeat, they will be smaller than you think
- leave at least 6 inches between the top of the fabric and the top of the armholes; it’ll look less rough around the edges
- don’t cut the hem until you’ve tried the finished dress on…twice
8/27/10 UPDATE: I felt like rendering, so here is a brief visual guide to help you along:
1 – lay out the fabric
2 – fold in half lengthwise and cut out the middle armhole (a half circle on the fold)
3 – fold in half lengthwise in the opposite direction and cut out the left and right armholes (a half circle on the two folds)
4 – cut the dress to the desired length (probably better to do this while it’s still folded)
5 – there is no step 5; YAY!
Depending on the width of the fabric, you may have enough to make a tunic or vest in the same style.
I didn’t do a “look at all the possibilities” photo montage, but trust me, there are a lot of possibilities. It all depends on what you put or don’t put through a hole.
—
This post wouldn’t be complete without the disclaimer that this DIY project was born out of want for the original Harputs Own Three Hole Dress (unfortunately, the one I was after is no longer sold on the site, but its lovely wool incarnation is available).
I buy what I can, I make what I can’t. Word.
—
UPDATE: Since a few of you expressed interest in buying this here garment, you can now do so right from this post. YAY!! The dress is $45 and shipping is $8 via USPS.
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42 Responses to “…diy: three hole dress…”
That dress looks hot and your shoulders look stunning! That’s right, your shoulders!
.-= Natalie / Fashion Intel´s last blog ..SERIE NOIRE =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 11:43 am
My shoulders? YAY!!! Thanks, shuga.
How ’bout you just make me one & I’ll pay you? Because just the words “2 yards” “fabric” & “scissors” gave me the willies.
This looks hot, though. Bravo!
Oh, & I agree with Natalie. Your shoulders are smoking hot.
.-= Ev`Yan | apricot tea.´s last blog ..redesign! =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 11:42 am
You got it, lovie. =D
Done and Done! I need to do some fabric shopping now. And mail you a thing that I’ve been meaning to mail for like 6 months now.
.-= birdie´s last blog ..Impermanence =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I love it. The later, the better. =P
you’re so cute!
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
You’re cuter!!! =D
LOVE it!
…and yeah. if you’re ever sellin, I’m buyin;-)!
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Really? I just might…
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Alicia, Licier, etc., Camille.. Camille. said: RT @InnyVinny: NEW POST: finally, a new (and painfully easy) DIY http://www.innyvinny.com/2010/04/28/diy-three-hole-dress/ [...]
I am in LOVE with that dress! It looks beautiful! It looks wonderful on you! I’m too er, challenged to do DIY projects correctly, but I agree that if you ever decide to sell, I’m a buyer, too!
.-= Sheena´s last blog ..I’m in the mood for… =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Thank you! I’ll put a button up to buy later on today. =D
wanna bet I’d be able to fuck up “the easiest DIY ever”? =)
.-= duckalicious´s last blog ..Retrolicious =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
COME ON!!!!!! You’ll be fine, I swear!
You look amazing. The funny thing is that a designer here called Carl Kapp did the exact dress in silk wit a sash and called it his waterfall dress. It sells for thousands. Maybe you should be selling yours.
.-= Lenya Jones´s last blog ..The Styling Process for Editorial =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
For millions? Ok, maybe not millions.
I love Harputs stuff! I just can’t afford it! This actually really helps because I see the dress in their store window everyday and really wish I had one – will have to buy fabric this weekend and test this out =)
.-= Kristine´s last blog ..0427: Just Another Day =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
I’m so glad I don’t live in S.F. My face would be pressed on their window everyday. Too much good stuff.
Let me know how the test comes out.
Yep, I’m gonna hit you up so you can make me one! I’m shit at things like this. LOL.
RE: the update – HELL to the fucking YES.
.-= Ev`Yan | apricot tea.´s last blog ..redesign! =-.
[...] Dress (unfortunately, the one I was after is no longer sold on the site, but its lovely wool …Continued Cancel [...]
I love that you tried to not insult anyone with a simple explanation and I’m still sitting here thinking “Well, fuck I need to try this, but I should buy about 8 yards of fabric because I WILL mess up.”
Nevertheless, you look amazing in this super simple dress and I must attempt to copy you!
.-= a stylized hysteria´s last blog ..Because the best little secrets are kept and you’re my best little secret yet =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
You won’t need 8, I swear! You’ll probably have a lot of fabric to play with if it’s wide (usually, most are between 48″ and 60″), so just get 2, cut a strip off the bottom and experiment. Trust me.
Love the dress! I wish I could make things! I really love the extra material on the side! Hope you can still come to my slumber party! xo, mel
.-= Wrecked Stellar´s last blog ..I’m In It. And Into It. =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Mel, you can. I know you can!
And I need to find some cute pajamas first.
heart the dress
Alicia Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Thank you. =D
You have a very unique aesthetic– both quite feminine and kinda vintage but also really edgy, kinda heavy metal quite frankly (oh yes, that is a good thing).
Also, as for the MIA video, my opinion is that it is highly disturbing and people should know that before they watch (I don’t have a child, but I imagine a parent would have a hard time watching a certain scene). However, I also believe art should provoke and because it imitates life and life is offensive, art should at times be offensive. I feel there is a super valid point regarding the arbitrary nature of prejudice. Maybe we have become so… visually jaded (?) as a culture that we need something this graphic to make a point like that. Certainly the truth about what goes on in the world b/c of prejudice is far uglier than a 9 minute video. melina bee
.-= melina bee´s last blog ..Portlandia =-.
Alicia Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Good point, melinda. I really like what you said about life being offensive. And since art imitates life…boom!
And thank you!
[...] InnyVinny shows you how to make one. Chouette! [...]
you have a freaking hot blog! love this DIY sounds simple but cant really say unti we try
yours look great!
you look absolutely gorgeous! i love the whole outfit…just perfect. It’s actually making me miss layering and making me hate this miserable muggy rain and humidity! <3
.-= charles´s last blog ..back to school… =-.
1) how cute are you?! I am jealous that you can pull off that haircut
2) how cute is that dress?!
[...] I’ve been meaning to try my hand at making my own version of a Three Hole Dress (a la Harputs Own), but now half of the work is done for me and I can just follow this tutorial. [...]
Over Complicating Shit Disorder!!! LOL!!!
I definitely have that. HAHA!
[...] finally got the chance to wear the beautiful three hole dress dress I ordered from the super talented and cool Alicia at InnyVinny. I love the dress in all of its [...]
I’m in the middle of making this dress, have the arm and head holes cut out nicely, and have no idea what to do next! Did you sew up the side without the extra fabric? Or maybe mine was just cut weird…
Alicia Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
BECCA!!! I can’t remember whether or not I emailed you back (sorry if I didn’t!). I updated the post with a visual aid. There isn’t any sewing involved.
=)
Hey, okay I know this might be too much to ask, but can you put pics up with your instructions? At the risk of sounding very slow…I failed at my first dress making attempt. I know. I see you laughing!! but it’s okay, lol. I was so excited to make my dresses and I bought all of this fly material…and then I butchered the first one!! aah! I will be indebted to you forever if you break down the steps with handy dandy visuals and I promise to even send you a pic when I’m done, lol! Love your blog!
Alicia Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Ok, so they aren’t pictures per se, but I think the visual should help. Let me know if how it comes out!!
=D
Casey Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Thanks sooooo much! I will definitely let you know!