If you’re a fan of iconic 90’s fashion, you’ll be happy to know that one of the most glamorous trends of the decade is making a big comeback: the slip dress. From Princess Diana and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, to Courtney Love and Kate Moss, the slip dress was the ultimate statement piece, channeling elegance, grunge, high fashion, and more. We wanted to recreate the late 90’s-early aughts slip dress that was everywhere, with a floral print and lace trim, by using our Hana Bias Cut Dress Free Sewing Pattern. Our Mood Exclusive Tangerine Dreams Rayon Batiste was the perfect choice for this project – it’s a bold floral print with a fluid drape that moves beautifully when cut on the bias. For the lace trim, we chose this Fuchsia Crochet Chenille Lace for a vibrant pop of color to compliment the fabric. I would love to see this slip dress styled with a leather motorcycle jacket and some Dr. Martens for a true 90’s look!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 3 yards of Mood Exclusive Tangerine Dreams Rayon Batiste
- 4 yards of Fuchsia Crochet Chenille Trim – 1.5″
- 1 spool of 10 Black 250m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- 1 spool of 320 Fuchsia 250m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- MDF316 – The Hana Bias Cut Dress Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Recommended Fabrics:
This is an easy beginner friendly project that can be completed in a day!
Sew the dress as instructed in the original post, except leave one side seam open to make a slit. The side and length of the slit is up to you.
How to add the lace trim:
1. After you finish the dress, pin the lace to the top edge, starting at the side seam. As pictured above, I overlapped the side seam a bit for a seam allowance. Pin the lace around the back first.
2. Once you reach the high points of the dress, you’ll have to fold the lace in order for it to take a sharp turn downwards. Arrange the fold so it sits right on top of the strap. Pin in place.
3. Fold the lace at the deep v, and hand stitch it to secure.
4. If your lace isn’t laying flat due to the curves, steam or press it into place. As pictured above, I pinned the lace into place, then steamed it.
5. Sew the lace to the dress and the straps on the front and back. Fold the raw edge down at the side seam and stitch into place.
6. Repeat with the bottom hem!
These big loud prints were not really a 1990’s thing. Think Courtney Love. She popularized slip dresses, but hers were mono toned or muted. Accessories were really where the pops of color came from. Shoes, sweaters, hair clips, necklaces, tights, bracelets and the like. Oh, and hair color. Plus it would have been more low cut and hitting at knee level or just barely above. But those are alterations anyone can make to this pattern, so the pattern would be useful, with some alteration is you want a 1990’s look.
Hi there! You’re right, a classic 1990’s slip dress that we see referenced again and again were more muted. However, statement print slip dresses did exist! For instance, Versace made slip dresses made with wildly colorful prints, Dolce & Gabbana used floral prints, Perry Ellis made a gorgeous floral beaded tulle slip dress, etc. As a child of the 90s and teenager of the early 00’s, the retail options that were readily available and worn by my peers were more similar to what we made here, since retail strives for a happy medium between high fashion and function. But as with most sewing projects we make here where specific eras or styles are referenced, we choose our inspiration and go from there, seeing where the creative process takes us. 🙂
Here, hear Elizabeth! Totally agree with you. And you are very gracious.
Dee+Kay:
Please don’t sourpuss on peoples’ work.
It reflects a character no body want to know.
Elisabeth Moore:
Thanks so much for all your inspiration!
Currently sitting on my sofa avoiding drafting a slip dress and here one falls into my lap! Many thanks!
Aaaah it’s meant to be!! 🙂
I’ve only ever made stretch dresses before, just wondering would I need to do a FBA for the Hana dress?
Hi Angela! I suggest making a quick muslin to see if you need to do a FBA.
Muy util