All Dressed Up
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 23
Using leftover scraps of material to make little dress cards is a fabulous way to turn favourite fabrics into miniature works of art. Channel your inner Trelise Cooper and create something beautiful and unique.
Add cute accessories such as handbags, belts, buttons, pockets, necklaces and little wire coat-hangers
Small Scale Dressmaking
I don't know about you, but when I'm choosing clothes, it is either the colour or the pattern that catches my eye, and the same principle applies when selecting material for dress cards. Make a simple dress shape from a single piece of fabric, or gather together an assortment of remnants that work together, then add tiny pockets, a contrasting bodice, lace edging or a cute handbag. Incorporate existing hems and seams, fray edges, use pinking shears, or add a little hand-stitching to elevate your design.
Creative ways to Reuse & Recycle fabric
If you're an Op Shopper like me, you'll often buy garments that need alteration, so whether a sleeve needs reshaping, or a hem taken up, those bits of leftover fabric can be set aside for dress cards. Upcycling gives new life to pre-loved items, and re-using the off-cuts for cute little dress cards extends the lifecycle, while nourishing our creativity.
This little dress was made from the leftover hem from a pair of silk trousers bought at the Salvation Army store in Devonport. The little necklace is an earing that lost its mate.
Making Dress Cards
If you're a dressmaker, your miniature dresses will probably involve actual stitching, but even non-sewers can create gorgeous garments with a bit of double sided adhesive and glue; it's all about using what's on hand and having fun! Find all sorts of clever interpretations, unexpected materials and thoughtful details for handmade dress cards and design ideas on Pinterest.
