How to Make a Watermelon Dress

by Kirsten Nunez

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

Adhesive paper can be used instead of painter's tape and thin fabric.
  • 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
Step 1
Using an old paint brush or wooden stick, mix the dye well.

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.

Step 2
Leave the middle section of the dress out of the dye.

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.

Step 3
For best results, work outside with a garden hose.

Rinse the dress under running water until it turns clear. Keep the two sides away from each other as much as you can.

Step 4
Check the dye's packaging for specific washing directions.

Wash the dress in a washing machine. Hang it to dry.

Step 5
Separate the two sides of fabric.

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.

Step 6
If using adhesive paper, skip to the next step.

Place a strip of painter's tape on the scrap fabric.

Step 7
To make a guide, use a pen to draw a half teardrop shape along the fold.

Fold the painter's tape in half. Cut half a teardrop shape along the fold.

Step 8
The painter's tape can now be used as an adhesive stencil.

Remove the painter's tape from the fabric.

Step 9
Choose a random spot to add the first seed.

Place the stencil on the dress. Smooth out the tape to ensure that it is completely flat.

Step 10
Use a small amount of black paint.

Using the foam brush, apply a light layer of black fabric paint.

Step 11
This step reveals the painted seed.

Carefully peel away the tape.

Step 12
Paint more seeds on random spots.

To paint more seeds, re-position the stencil on another part of the dress.

Step 13
The seeds should be randomly scattered across the red bottom.

Repeat Steps 9-11 until the red half of the dress has enough seeds to your liking.

Step 14
Once the paint is dry, your new dress is ready to wear.

Let the paint dry completely.

Tips for Making a Watermelon Print Dress

100% cotton dresses work best for this project.

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.

Photo Credits

  • How to Make a Watermelon Dress

About the Author

Kirsten Nunez is a lifestyle writer and author focusing on crafts, creativity 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 San Francisco.