DIY Leyendecker Dress

When Lisa and Jessica of Leyendecker confessed to us their love of DIYs, we immediately jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with the designing duo. Not only are we in love with their line, we are huge fans of the charming and talented ladies themselves. You can imagine how much fun we had spending the entire day crafting in their LA studio! Drawing inspiration from Leyendecker’s signature trims and unique handmade details, we’ll show you how you can easily make your very own lacy fringed dress.

You’ll need:

Start by measuring the bottom hem of the t-shirt to determine how may tassels to add. The bottom of Jessica’s shirt measured 48 inches and because she wanted tassels 2 inches apart, she needed to cut 24 tassels. Lightly mark each placement right above the hem with a pen.

Wrap yarn around a legal sized file folder approximately 12-14 times. Cut the strands off the folder and set aside. Repeat the steps to make 24 tassels. (Click images to enlarge)

Using a dowel or pair of scissors, pierce small holes into the tee using the marks as a guide. Pull each set of yarns through the holes and center them.

Lisa and her pup Mars are making one too!

Wrap a piece of yarn around the top of the tassel a few times and tie into a knot. Trim away any excess and repeat.

After tying off each tassel, tie off a second and third row for a netted look. Separate two neighboring tassels into halves. Group one half from each tassel into a single bunch. At about an inch of the way down, wrap and tie. Repeat the steps until a second row is complete. Repeat the same steps for a third row.

Lookin’ good!

Once the fringe is complete, pin a lace applique or lace doily to the collar of the tee. Hand stitch it with a needle and thread.

Your gorgeous Leyendecker-inspired dress is finished!

Thank you, Lisa & Jessica, for an epic DIY! We had a blast!!! xx

(top image courtesy of Leyendecker; rest of images by Honestly…WTF)

Leave a Comment

62 Comments

  1. as usual, i love it! So cute!!!

    http://www.simplyrosepetal.blogspot.com

    7.5.11
    Reply
  2. Oh man! This is sooo beautiful and inspiring! ♥

    7.5.11
    Reply
  3. wow this is amazing! i’ve been inspired 🙂

    http://www.dragonnfruit.com

    7.5.11
    Reply
  4. shaki wrote:

    Juuuu, it look nice!

    7.5.11
    Reply
  5. Jessie wrote:

    yet another fantastic diy from you guys. thank you so much for sharing. i absolutely love it.
    xx, http://wordbyjessie.com/

    7.5.11
    Reply
  6. Shu wrote:
    7.5.11
    Reply
  7. Kristen wrote:

    Very cute…
    I’m not sure I would be able to do it, though!
    ha!
    I’m notttt not not good at any sort of sewing type thing!
    I am loving your blog, though. I just found it!

    7.5.11
    Reply
  8. Jamillah wrote:

    STOP IT!!! Maybe my favorite diy from you guys. That fringe situation is serious!!!! LOVE!

    7.5.11
    Reply
  9. Lucía wrote:

    i don’t think I’m good enough for this one but it looks so cool

    7.5.11
    Reply
  10. Lindsay wrote:

    I love the orange yarn bottom! It makes it so much more fun and less serious!

    http://www.blackandblondeone.com

    7.5.11
    Reply
  11. Alice wrote:

    Um… yes…. and…. yes.
    DIY, I shall.

    Just a Silhouette

    7.5.11
    Reply
  12. Cydny wrote:

    Obsessed, such a simple idea. I can use these techniques for costumes in my burlesque show! 😉 Thanks!

    7.5.11
    Reply
  13. Caroline wrote:

    So cool!! I need to go to Goodwill and get a big Tshirt so I can try this 😀

    7.5.11
    Reply
  14. Lara wrote:

    jajajajaja I love the the last picture!!!
    So cool I can try this 😀

    xoxo

    7.5.11
    Reply
  15. Brittany wrote:

    Very clever, cool DIY! xo

    http://tryitonmegirl.blogspot.com/

    7.5.11
    Reply
  16. Love it. Your DIYs are always the best!

    Fashionable Collections

    7.5.11
    Reply
  17. I actually like your version better than the original! Amazing!

    7.5.11
    Reply
  18. Woww. this is so pretty cool and inspirating! 😉

    7.5.11
    Reply
  19. Megan wrote:

    Love it! I own a vintage clothing shop and am always looking for new ideas for window displays…..even if I don’t get a chance to make a dress I think the netted tassels would be super cute filling a window!

    Ya’ll rock….

    7.6.11
    Reply
  20. Dang, this is good! I am impressed with this project, looks like you could have bought it like that!

    http://fashionindie.com/

    7.6.11
    Reply
  21. Em wrote:
    7.6.11
    Reply
  22. Maria wrote:

    Omg how freakn cute! so much to do, I have to make time!!!

    7.6.11
    Reply
  23. Meredith wrote:

    Dang, girls. Come hang out and do crafts with me and the old ladies here in South Korea.

    __________
    Fashionista to Travel{east}a. Follow the Asian adventures of a Texas gal in Korea:
    thetraveleasta.blogspot.com

    7.6.11
    Reply
  24. Tiff wrote:

    You guys have the best DIYs ever. I’m totally inspired and looking forward to doing this this weekend!

    7.6.11
    Reply
  25. Kendall wrote:

    I LOVE THE T-SHIRT ONE! Its so fun and I’d just jump around all day! 🙂

    7.7.11
    Reply
  26. Alex wrote:

    oh wow, such a simple DIY using only a few materials and now it’s a gorgeous dress! 🙂 love it!

    http://www.houseofslater.com

    7.7.11
    Reply
  27. LOVE

    7.7.11
    Reply
  28. Beautiful. This looks Victorian, elegant, and cowgirl-chic. Y’all are awesome!

    7.7.11
    Reply
  29. mel wrote:

    awesome! best DIY i’ve ever seen! 🙂

    7.8.11
    Reply
  30. Lindsey G wrote:

    I love the crop top too!!!!

    7.21.11
    Reply
  31. mello! wrote:

    awwww they also made a pom pom headband!!
    can you make a pom pom diy tutorial?? thanks a lot!

    8.10.11
    Reply
    • Lauren wrote:

      @ Mello Hi there, we did a pom pom DIY here, check it out!!

      8.10.11
  32. vivyan wrote:

    im making this right now! but it has been a good 4 hours

    8.13.11
    Reply
  33. Emma wrote:

    so U could also use this as like mabey a bag or somthing right

    8.24.11
    Reply
  34. Omg! Love the fluor pompom! What kind of material is made of? Is so nice!

    9.15.11
    Reply
  35. Anna wrote:

    Using fabric scraps instead of yarns for this project,Thanks for the idea guys. 🙂

    12.13.11
    Reply
  36. emma wrote:

    What kind of dog is that lol!

    2.16.12
    Reply
  37. ligia wrote:

    simplismenti adoreiiiiiiii todos os posts!

    2.17.12
    Reply
  38. ngo gwos bingnang wrote:

    c’est une très belle idée, c’est beau, c’est génial

    5.10.12
    Reply
  39. Iruka wrote:

    this could be a very cute summer/beach look! thanks! 😀

    12.19.12
    Reply
  40. Susi wrote:

    What kind of yarn is that? And won’t it be harmed through washing (even by hand)
    Thanks so much for this nice idea 🙂

    8.22.13
    Reply
  41. Macrame wrote:

    Interesting macrame patterns for clothing – http://www.youtube.com/user/MacrameSchool

    2.8.14
    Reply
  42. That is really creative and interesting! I always knew fashion does not mean expensive. In fact, you can create your own fashion. Even nowadays, it is really easy to sell cheap costume jewelry that are really beautiful and awesome! Great post!

    3.1.15
    Reply
  43. Saffroncup wrote:

    Its Awesome and full of stunning look. What is the material from which it has made??

    6.25.15
    Reply
  44. deepu wrote:

    wow
    your all designs are very very nice and beautiful . I am impressed with this project, looks like you could have bought it like that!
    Thank you so much for sharing.
    http://www.wholesalecatalog.in/

    12.20.16
    Reply
  45. manu wrote:

    looks like a great work, very amazing and optimum. I want to buy this.

    thank you.

    7.19.17
    Reply
  46. wow Its Amazing idea
    your all designs are very very nice and beautiful , Love your creativity
    Thank you so much for sharing.

    4.14.18
    Reply
  47. aavni shah wrote:

    This Is Amazing Idea Its looks So Good
    Thank For Sharing

    5.3.19
    Reply
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    11.23.20
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  49. Nitya wrote:

    You made all is Handmade amazing Startup. Can You also sell to direct Cutsomer mam if yes Pls Send me mail. I want to buy this Western Tops..

    2.5.22
    Reply