Dated dress to trendy lace-up top

This lace-up strapless top was so EASY. I absolutely plan to make another! but for now, here’s a quick tutorial so you can tackle that monstrosity hanging in your closet and make one for yourself!

NOTE: This top (as well as other custom items like it) are available for purchase upon request. Hit me up on my Contact page, Facebook, Instagram, or simply a comment below. I’ll respond to it all.

lace up strapless corset top upcycled prom dress

This dress, oh my.

I apologize, if you wore this thing to prom and still regard the style with admiration…

This style is… not for me.

upcycle your old prom dress into a trendy lace-up strapless top

The other issue with this dress, as you can see by the way I’m holding it up in the picture, it wouldn’t have fit me even if I wanted it to. So let’s go chop it up! We’re going to turn it into a lace-up strapless top, you ready?

Step 1

Remove the skirt. I put the dress on and marked where I wanted the corset to come to and cut it off an inch or two below that. I then shaped the bottom. You can totally leave the bottom straight all the way around, but I thought this kind of “scalloped” look worked well with the style.

lace-up strapless corset style top repurposed from old prom dress

Step 2

Remove the zipper. In addition to removing the zipper I cut about 2 inches off from either side of the center back. And yes, I could have just cut the zipper off instead of seam ripping it… but I am trying to reduce waste remember? This zipper is going into my stash to be used on a future project.

Looking back, I definitely wish I had taken more off the back than those 2 inches. A gap in the back is fine, it gets laced up. You just cinch it up and you’re good to go. So I kinda goofed. It looks good in the pictures, but it’s honestly still too big. I can’t really wear it. I’m a small-medium and I would say this is a medium-large with a much bigger bust than my A-B cup size.

That’s why, as I stated in the beginning, this top is available for purchase upon request.

Even if the dress fits you perfectly, I would still recommend taking about 1/2 to 1 inch off. Having a gap in the back to lace up adds to the look. The look that I did not achieve, but no less “the look”.

Thankfully this lace-up strapless style top is very adjustable so the size doesn’t have to be exact. But unlike most things, slightly smaller is actually better than too large.

Step 3

Now that the bodice is the shape and (hopefully) the size you want it, fold in all the raw edges and pin them in place. Once you’re satisfied that everything is where you want it, simply sew all the way from the middle back top, down, across the bottom and up the other side. All in one go.

Step 4

Add your Grommets. You can use either grommets or eyelets on this, but I definitely prefer grommets. Eyelets often leave a rough, unfinished back. Where this will be against bare skin or other fabric, I find it best to use grommets that have a smooth, finished surface on both sides.

Despite my own advice, I used eyelets. It’s what I had on hand. And I got them hammered down nice nicely. I didn’t notice any scratchiness when I had it on.

I placed my eyelets and inch and a half apart.

Here’s a secret trick! To get the spacing symmetrical, do one side first then line up the two sides perfectly with each other and stick a pen through the grommets you installed to mark the spot on the other side. (see picture)

If you want a post about how to install grommets and eyelets let me know, I can definitely do that for you! Until then, there are lots of tutorials on Youtube if you’ve never done them before

Step 5

Just add your lacing and you’re DONE. Yes, It really is that easy.

Any kind of lacing or cording will work. The cord I used in the pictures kind of resembles shoelaces but I think I will replace it with a nice satin ribbon. Black, wide, shiny ribbons would look much better with this shimmery blue material.

Final Thoughts

Over all, I love it! It was easy, fun, and completed in just a day.

I love it by itself, but I also love it layered over this sheer white top. I’m sure there are SO many pairings it would look amazing with. The lace-up corset style is so versatile!

Super fun and fancy without being over-the-top.

I just wish it fit haha. But it’s okay. I do plan to make another for myself and I know this will find it’s home and someone else will totally rock it! Is that someone you? 😉

Another thing to consider, if you don’t love strapless tops, or if it is too big and won’t stay up, you can really easily add straps to this. Either make straps and stitch them it or you can just buy bra straps and attach them. Would be super easy! I’ve even seen sparkly straps in stores with the bra stuff, those would be so cute!

I hope you found this useful and I would love to see your creation if you make one for yourself. Let me know how it went in the comments, and if you send me a picture I’ll feature you and your project on my social media pages!

Happy sewing