How to Make Duct Tape Dresses, Halloween Costumes and More!

Duct tape has been used in the fashion world to make everything from wallets, purses to formal clothing. The wide variety of available colors, and designs help keep duct tape items in a constant state of demand. Duct tape formals, everyday clothes, and even Halloween costumes can be made with little out of pocket expense.

Choose a Pattern
Any pattern works great for duct tape clothing. So, don't worry if a pattern is listed as easy to sew or difficult. Each pattern is put together with the same thing, duct tape.

Measurements

Before purchasing your pattern, take your measurements. Measure your bust, waist, hip, and back length. Be honest! You want your dress to fit. These measurements help you locate the correct pattern size, as well as help you select which pattern line to cut out, once the pattern is in hand. Always read the pattern before you cut it out, see if there are other necessary measurements required.

Cut it Out

Once you have the pattern you love, cut it out. Your size is indicated by the lines on the pattern. Patterns often have multiple sizes on one piece. There may be multiple pattern pieces for different garment options. Make sure you mix and match carefully so that the pieces will fit together.

No Sew, Duct Tape

Overlap long pieces of duct tape together. Each strip should be long enough for your pattern and should overlap about one inch. Continue this process until you have enough duct tape fabric to use with each pattern section.

Lay the duct tape out in long strips and then add a thin fabric backing to the sticky side. Be careful to keep the fabric taught so there are no wrinkles. A thin cotton or muslin works great for this, and since the fabric pattern doesn't matter, you can use practically anything.

Many stores sell light weight cotton fabric for less than $3.00 a yard. Sometimes fabric can be located in the remnant section of the fabric department, for even greater savings. Remember the lighter the fabric the cooler your dress will be, and you want to be comfortable.

Be mindful of the direction of the tape. Mixing and matching vertical stripes with horizontal ones can be alluring, but you want to make sure that the stripes on your garment follow your fashion goals. Double check everything before you cut your fabric!

To join the seams together you need to peel back a little bit of the fabric backing, about 5/8 inch so you can use the sticky back of the tape to adhere one piece to the other. Make sure that you follow the pattern guidelines and you connect pieces in the way the pattern has suggested.

After connecting the pieces, use more duct tape to re-enforce the seam, cut the extra length of duct tape inconspicuously like where you will be adjoining another section.

If your pattern calls for gathering, you need to bunch the required amount of duct tape with your fingers and then apply another small piece of duct tape to the edges to hold it in place.

To hem your garment simply peel away the fabric backing and lay the tape over itself.