So I finally have some time to write about how to make the Le Sac Dress. It’s pretty simple, it’s just making a drawstring dress. You don’t need anything fancy or complicated. If you can sew straight lines, you’re set.
I’m not great at Photoshop or anything, but here’s a quick tutorial on how to make the Le Sac Dress.
Things you will need:
- Sewing Machine (or you can hand sew it if you got time)
- Thread to match your fabric
- 1 yard of knit jersey fabric (total dimensions: 50″ x 36″ ) – dress
- less than 1/2 yard of fabric for the string
Instructions for Le String:
1. Cut two pieces of fabric of dimensions 50″ wide by 3″ tall.
2. Sew the two pieces together to make one long rope
3. Fold the piece in half and sew in the seams.
4. Tie a knot at the ends of the rope. That’s it!
Instructions for Le Sac Dress:
1. Cut the fabric in half. There should be two pieces of dimensions 36″ height and 25″ width
2. Sew the armhole section. It should be a total of 8″ from top to bottom of the armhole. Just fold the fabric over about half an inch and sew a basic stitch. Do this for both pieces of the fabric.
3. Then, fold the top of the piece of fabric to make room for the string to go through. You will need about 1.5″ for the string to move smoothly through the dress. Double stitch it down to make sure it’s secure.
4. Sew the sides of the two pieces together and stop when you reach the armholes.
5. Then put the string through the 1.5″ gap. It’s easier if you attach a large safety pin to the end of the string and use it to thread it through the fabric. Do this for both sides of the fabric and you’re set.
Waking Up to a New Tomorrow 
[…] P.P.S.If you’re the sewing type (which I hope to become next year), you can make your own Le Sac without having to pay $30+ for it. Simple instructions HERE and HERE. […]
By: You shall not get me down, rain! | adored austin on August 7, 2014
at 2:38 PM
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By: dolliesa18 on November 27, 2013
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[…] I already have a navy blue Le Sac dress (which costs $38 by the way) but my friends Beth, Endya, Katherine and I decided we could craft one for cheaper. My jersey fabric and thread cost under $10 total from Jo-Ann Fabrics & Craft. We used the instructions found on this blog. […]
By: DIY Le Sac dress for under $10 | Goodwill Fabulous on April 5, 2013
at 8:14 AM
[…] Le sac dress from American Apparel that you can wear different ways. I found a pretty good tutorial here, very easy and for beginner. The only little point missing was images so I had to watch few ads and […]
By: Le sac dress – DIY « lapetiteninine on July 9, 2012
at 7:20 AM
OMG, I am going to try it this weekend, I need a dress exactly like this for my niece’s christening =), I’ll keep in touch!!!! Your tutorial is great!!!!
By: lapetiteninine on June 21, 2012
at 1:21 PM
I love your tutorial, it is really detailed and well writen. I decided to make my own but encountered a problem, i think i made the strap to short because it will not fit properly and is to short to tie. My strap is aroud 100″ long, is this right or did i miss something. I’ll keep working on it , thanks, love the work you’re doing . 🙂
By: charliebrownsangel on May 29, 2011
at 4:10 PM
Do you have to use jersey fabric?
I bought a poplin fabric today that I think might work?
By: R on September 2, 2010
at 11:18 PM
I like jersey because it has some stretch, but any kind of fabric can work too.
By: mywakingmemories on September 3, 2010
at 12:20 AM
I love this, was about to spend £34 on it today. Glad i didnt, but i did just bid for it on ebay
hopefully i dont have to pay much more than it does to make it. I’ll be annoyed i didnt find this about an hour ago other wise.
By: Kirst on July 1, 2010
at 2:34 PM
Love this! but the aa le string is 150″x1″, does that make a big difference in the possible styles you can wear it or is the aa le string just a little too long?
By: sxebabychick on June 16, 2010
at 5:20 PM
I bought this dress, I wish I had seen this before I had! Still, it is one of my favorite dresses! Good Job : )
By: Elephant on June 1, 2010
at 6:14 PM
Hi! I have been planning on making a le sac for a wile but I have one question..
Do you have to make a cut at the bottom of the 8inches where the arm hole is in order to hem it? Or do you just fold it and sew up to the 8 in mark?
Thanks!!
By: Jenny on February 7, 2010
at 7:31 PM
You can just fold and sew.
By: mywakingmemories on February 8, 2010
at 3:21 PM
I’m trying to make this dress, but like everyone else, am confused on the armholes that should be 8 inches. It says fold it over and then sew. So I fold 8 inches from the top of the fabric and then sew that down across the dress? Also, for the Belted look, am I supposed to fold the rope in half and then loop it through? because otherwise if i didn’t wouldn’t the rope just slip out if I threaded one side through on the back?
By: jen on December 6, 2009
at 2:49 AM
For the folding over part of the armhole, it’s just to hide the edges. The 8 inches of the fabric should have a nice hem…that’s all. As for the belted look, when you put it through the back, you tie the knot where the rope meets on the other side so it won’t slip.
By: mywakingmemories on December 6, 2009
at 2:56 AM
This is amazing and beautiful! I was intrigued by this dress and the circle scarf on the AA website, and found your site on Google. This seems like a brilliant and fun way to get this dress. I didn’t want to spend $40 buying it anyways. Did you ever finish your circle scarf with the stripes? It would be great to see!
By: jen on December 6, 2009
at 2:23 AM
HI, do the two ends of the string just come out of the same armhole (one from each side)?
Thanks
By: Denise on November 27, 2009
at 8:17 PM
Yes. They should be threaded through the armholes to create the drawstring look.
By: mywakingmemories on November 28, 2009
at 12:28 AM
[…] oder aber Preisschild nicht gefielen. So auch bei American Apparels „le sac“-Kleid, (hier der Link zum Tutorial) das zudem sehr gut in meinen momentan ziemlich straffen Zeitplan […]
By: Absacker « Mighty Mouse on November 24, 2009
at 1:17 AM
[…] oder aber Preisschild nicht gefielen. So auch bei American Apparels „le sac“-Kleid, (hier der Link zum Tutorial) das zudem sehr gut in meinen momentan ziemlich straffen Zeitplan […]
By: Absacker » Von sluebbke » American, Apparel, Kleidungsstücke, Gürtel, Zeitplan, Preisschild » BERNINA on November 24, 2009
at 1:16 AM
Hi 🙂 I’m sure this sounds really ridiculous, but I was looking at the Le Sac dress and was like “Oh, I can make that!” but now I’m confused. You sew up both sides of the dress? But then how do you make it all different stuff? Wouldn’t it just be a strapless dress then?
I’d love to see a picture of what it looks like when it’s not tied up or anything.
By: Emily on November 14, 2009
at 7:30 AM
The dress is pretty much two pieces of fabric sewn together with “slits” for the armholes. The rope connects the two pieces which creates the full effect of armholes and allows for you to make the different styles. You can wear in many ways, forwards, backwards, and on its sides. I’ll try to put up a picture, but I don’t have a camera at the moment!
By: mywakingmemories on November 20, 2009
at 7:30 PM
Hola From México I love sewing and my friend was a model from AA and she has all this cool dresses and stuff but I refused to pay since I can make it myself and sell it later to others… do you have any more patters or websites with convertible dresses?
And for the girls that want to know how to use the dress go to check the videos in AA website just to see how it works out in several ways!!! thanks soo much I just wish I understand the other measurements because in Mexico we do centimeters!!!
By: paloma serrano on September 22, 2009
at 10:18 PM
I’ll be updating the site soon with more info on patterns and links. Thanks for the idea!
By: mywakingmemories on September 23, 2009
at 11:03 AM
Hi, what fabric did you use to make your straps for your Le Sac? I’m crazy for convertible dresses and made one last week (http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/flutterby-infinity-dress). Can’t wait to try this one!
Dx
By: Dee on August 26, 2009
at 10:43 AM
You can use any fabric, but I got a rayon jersey because it has a bit of a stretch and a nice sheen.
By: mywakingmemories on August 26, 2009
at 1:11 PM
Hey thanks for the how to! It was perfect for my next project! I went to AA recently and tried it on, only to find the measurements 😉 But im glad i was able to find a how to also! thanks a bunch! you can check out my blog which features the stuff i make and my project (le sac dress)
By: K3Ubasilan on August 6, 2009
at 8:01 PM
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By: ihr wolltet eine DIY-Anleitung… « spontanextase! on August 1, 2009
at 12:46 PM
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By: Mål på en Le Sac - Jubii Debatforum on July 24, 2009
at 10:03 AM
i have zero sewing experience and i followed your directions and made the dress! so thanks 🙂
By: amanda on July 22, 2009
at 8:40 PM
I’m glad it worked out for you! 🙂
By: mywakingmemories on July 23, 2009
at 2:04 AM
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I must be really sewing challanged though, because I still don’t understand how the armholes work. Which way do I fold up the fabric? I feel like if I tried to sew the armholes, I would sew them shut. I’m so very confused, any help would be greatly appreciated.
By: Zoey on July 21, 2009
at 8:27 AM
For the armholes, first you just sew the fabric so there’s no raw edge showing for the 8″ of fabric. Then, to connect the two pieces of fabric, sew from the bottom to the 8″ seam, that creates the armhole. The rope that goes at the top will complete the armhole.
By: mywakingmemories on July 21, 2009
at 4:50 PM
Hi, was the fabric you used as stretchy as the actual AA dress? I went to a fabric store today and found a very similar jersey fabric…for $14/yard. Didn’t buy it. Do you have any chain stores you can recommend?
By: Rachel on July 13, 2009
at 12:36 PM
The fabric I used was a jersey material, very similar to the AA one. I got it for about $8 a yard at Jo-Ann Fabrics. However, if you want a better quality one, it’d be better to go to a actual fabric store such as Mood Fabrics, etc. Since I live in Los Angeles, it’s easy to head to the Fashion District and pick up fabric at wholesale prices, so it really depends of where you can go. Sometimes, it takes some shopping around to find fabric you like. Also, since only a yard of fabric is needed, I’m willing to spend a bit more for better quality fabric…it’s still cheaper than the AA store.
By: mywakingmemories on July 13, 2009
at 6:46 PM
Hi, thanks for the pattern! I knew I could make it and was totally shocked by the price, so I’m glad you had instructions!
Today I made my dress in the total of one afternoon, and hand sewed it, it was so easy… It’s hot pink fabric with yellow flowers and a yellow ribbon to tie it up. I’m pretty happy with it, haha but I don’t think I have the boobs to pull off some of the styles.
I have one question though… My favorite styles are the super basic ones (the first three on your “fun with le sac” page), but I don’t get what you can do with the straps in the back! I looked it up on the site and it said they go diagonally but had a picture of them dropping vertically down the back. And every time I do it it just ends up messy. I’m thinking of just wearing a sweater over it until I can figure it out, but do you have any tips? It just always looks bunched up, sloppy and disorganized in the back, but the front looks so good!
Thanks for the pattern!
By: Skye on July 8, 2009
at 6:42 PM
It definitely takes a bit of work to get the back to look right, but it can be done. If you keep the knot closer to the edge of the fabric, it won’t be as noticeable and if you pin it to the dress itself, it can keep the rope from showing. Either keeping the rope vertical or diagonal doesn’t matter as long as it works for you…though a vertical drop is easier to do. I hope this helps! =)
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at 1:57 PM
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at 1:02 PM
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoy it! =)
By: mywakingmemories on July 8, 2009
at 5:08 PM
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By: Le Sac Dress « Good Morning, Sunshine! on June 24, 2009
at 9:05 PM
Could you maybe post a photo of the dress where i can see how the straps are done? Since I dont live in the US i cant see the dress myself, and somehow i cant figure out how the straps should be…
Is it that the straps are through the whole front and then one side is through the back aswell so the straps end on one armhole?
Thnx for the help, and the pattern!
By: Natalia on June 23, 2009
at 12:17 PM
I’ll definitely be putting up a tutorial with actual pictures soon. You can also check out the american apparel website.
By: mywakingmemories on June 25, 2009
at 1:48 PM
[…] American Apparel’s Le Sac: Seit in Hamburg eine Filiale von American Apparel aufgemacht hat, ertappe ich mich dabei, immer mal wieder die bunten Leggins, T-Shirts und simplen Jersey-Stücke, die sie als Kleider verkaufen, anzuhimmeln. Dieses super-wandelbare Modell kann man zu einem Bruchteil des Kaufpreises selber nähen! […]
By: Wenn jemand eine Reise tut… « Mighty Mouse on June 11, 2009
at 10:24 AM
This is perfect! When I first saw the dress I knew I could make it, but was considering buying one anyway just to get the measurements. Thanks so much for them, I’m going tomorrow to get fabric.
Also, the fact that you can make your own le strings is awesome. I’m going to buy extra fabric just to make extra strings in different colors and patterns. Brilliant.
By: bloggingwithaj on June 4, 2009
at 6:19 PM
Hey, thanks for the tutorial! 🙂 Just one comment..why is it that you have the strap measuring 100″ (after you put the two 50″ pieces together) when the American Apparel website says the strap is 150″? I was just a little bummed when I went to put on my dress and found out that a couple of the ways wouldn’t work right because I needed more length in the strap. Could be because my strap isn’t very stretchy though! Anyways, just thought I’d point that out in case anyone else had the same problem.
By: Annie on May 23, 2009
at 6:42 PM
I wanted the strap shorter than 150″ because I kept getting tangled in it, but it would be better for other people to have longer. I just wrote down what I used.
By: mywakingmemories on May 23, 2009
at 8:26 PM
I am having a really hard time figuring out the whole armholes part? like…do I sew up to them, or just hem them?
By: Meghanlapoo on May 19, 2009
at 9:17 PM
For the armholes, you fold the fabric over and sew it down so the edge doesn’t show (about 8″ long). Then sew the two pieces of fabric from the bottom of the 8″ armhole area to the bottom of the dress. I hope that answers your question.
By: mywakingmemories on May 19, 2009
at 9:41 PM
Thank you for this tutorial! I tried to make this based on photos from the AA website but ended up with something a little too wide because they don’t have the dimensions up. I have some really great seafoam jersey material I am going to try this again with!!!
By: Brandie on May 8, 2009
at 1:08 PM
I hope it works out for you! =D Good luck!
By: mywakingmemories on May 8, 2009
at 5:01 PM
Do you mind if I ask how tall you are? I am considering making the dress, but am afraid 36 inches won’t be long enough on me (I’m 5’5″). I noticed in your “Fun with Le Sac” post that the dress falls to your knees. Thanks!
By: Laura on April 21, 2009
at 2:25 PM
I’m about 5,” but you can make the dress longer to fit your proportions. Just measure from the top of your shoulder to the top of your knees to get a more accurate measurement than 36″ and add enough excess for the band, bottom seam (if you want one), and seam allowances.
By: mywakingmemories on April 21, 2009
at 4:02 PM
Thanks – I clearly have no sense of what 36 inches means because it was the perfect length! I made my version of the dress last night and it looks good – thanks for providing the tutorial!
By: Laura on April 23, 2009
at 1:10 PM
No problem. I’m glad it worked out for you!
By: mywakingmemories on April 23, 2009
at 8:41 PM
Thanks soo much for this ‘how to’. I made my versiion today and it was a big help 🙂
By: Claire on April 8, 2009
at 7:40 PM
I hope it turned out great!=D
By: mywakingmemories on April 9, 2009
at 5:23 PM
Hi, I was looking at all the styles you made with this dress, and the first in the second row from the left, it looks like there’s a “v” shaped cut in the middle. Do you have to make a “v” shaped cut in the front of the dress, or how do you go about achieving that style? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TUTORIAL!
By: veronique on March 20, 2009
at 10:01 PM
You don’t have to make a v shaped cut. All you need to do is put your head through one of the armholes and use that to create the v-neck.
By: mywakingmemories on March 21, 2009
at 1:43 AM
The V-shape cut is made by separating one of the armholes to create the halter look! Thanks for checking out my blog! =)
By: mywakingmemories on July 24, 2009
at 4:59 PM
Thank you, thank you for posting this tutorial! Love the tutorial and love your blog!
By: Myle on August 14, 2009
at 10:13 PM