How to Make a Watermelon Dress
For a handmade spin on this seasonal trend, turn a plain white cotton dress into a sweet watermelon ensemble. This budget-friendly project is eye-catching, unique and easy enough for beginners.
Things You'll Need
How
- White cotton dress
- Gloves
- Red and green fabric dye
- Plastic tubs (2)
- Washing machine
- Garbage bag, tarp or old magazine pages
- Thin scrap fabric
- Painter's tape
- Scissors
- Black fabric paint
- Foam brush
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Cover your work space with a garbage bag or tarp. In separate bins, prepare the green and red fabric dyes according to the package's directions.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Place the top half of the dress in the green dye bath and the bottom half in the red. Leave them to soak for about half an hour.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Rinse the dress under running water until it turns clear. Keep the two sides away from each other as much as you can.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Wash the dress in a washing machine. Hang it to dry.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Lay the dress on a flat surface. Place garbage bags, a tarp or old magazine pages inside the dress. Smooth out any wrinkles or folds.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Place a strip of painter's tape on the scrap fabric.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Fold the painter's tape in half. Cut half a teardrop shape along the fold.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Remove the painter's tape from the fabric.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Place the stencil on the dress. Smooth out the tape to ensure that it is completely flat.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Using the foam brush, apply a light layer of black fabric paint.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Carefully peel away the tape.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
To paint more seeds, re-position the stencil on another part of the dress.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Repeat Steps 9-11 until the red half of the dress has enough seeds to your liking.
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
Let the paint dry completely.
Tips for Making a Watermelon Print Dress
How to Make a Watermelon Dress
For best results, use a dress that is 100% cotton. Materials such as polyester do not hold fabric dye. A dress made of both cotton and polyester might not hold dye very well.
Writer Bio
Kirsten Nunez is a lifestyle writer and author focusing on crafts, recipes, and health. Since 2010, she has been sharing DIY projects at WildAmor.com (formerly Studs & Pearls). In May 2014, she published a craft book, "Studs & Pearls: 30 Creative Projects for Customized Fashion." She lives in New York.
Photo Credits
How to Make a Watermelon Dress