I can’t believe I did this. I was hesitant and reluctant to make this dress, but my little crochet heart couldn’t pass up the chance to join the crochet masses and try my hand at making the crochet dress Taylor Swift wore.

From the moment I first saw the photo of Taylor Swift in a crochet dress, I knew it would end up on my crochet project to-do list. Even though I had a bunch of other projects I was trying to complete, I added this to the pile. There’s something about a challenge that just pulls me in, and this one was no exception.

I was reluctant because I knew tons of people would be making this dress, and I kinda like making things that don’t exist. I thrive on the idea of creating something unique, so hopping on a trend like this felt a bit out of character. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this was an opportunity to put my own spin on something iconic. I was even more reluctant after finding out that the dress came from a store that was definitely underpricing the garment. I mean, the time and skill that goes into a crochet piece like that should be celebrated, not undervalued!

And yet, this became the motivation to make the dress. I wanted to see how much time, effort, and yarn it would take to make this crochet dress and compare the final numbers to the dress found in the apparel store. There’s something satisfying about doing the math and really appreciating the craftsmanship that goes into handmade clothing. Plus, it was a chance to challenge myself and maybe inspire others to see the value in handmade pieces.

Making the dress

The original dress found on VRG GRL features a loose and boxy fit with long, flowing sleeves and a wide, almost off-the-shoulder neckline. It’s got that carefree, boho vibe that’s perfect for a summer day, but right away, I knew I’d need to make some adjustments to the fit. Baggy and boxy are not flattering on me, and I wanted something that would hug my figure a bit more, without losing that relaxed, easygoing feel.

For my version of the dress, I incorporated subtle shaping on the sides and the back. Since the dress is made up of double crochet stitches, I used single crochet stitches in the areas where I wanted to tighten the fabric up a bit. This gave the dress a bit more structure while still keeping it soft and comfortable. I also played around with the neckline, bringing it in just a tad to avoid any potential wardrobe malfunctions.

The original dress is also a micro dress, which I personally would not feel comfortable wearing, so I added a little more length to the main part of the dress. More coverage meant more confidence when wearing it out and about, and I think it still maintains that breezy look. I also added a few extra double crochet rounds for the hem to give it a bit more weight and balance.

Lastly, the sleeves had to change from being loose and baggy to having a closed, rib cuff. I just know loose and baggy sleeves get caught in door handles, dipped in food, and basically become a magnet for chaos. I wanted something a little more practical, so I opted for a snug cuff that would stay in place but still give off that cozy vibe.

The Finished Product

As I worked through each part of this dress, I found myself falling more in love with the process. It was a learning experience, a creative challenge, and a chance to connect with a broader crochet community who were all inspired by the same piece. I didn’t just recreate the VRG GRL dress; I made it my own, and that’s the beauty of crochet. Every stitch tells a story, and this dress? It’s one I’ll cherish.

While I’m not quite ready to share the pattern (still perfecting a few things), I’m thrilled with how this dress turned out. It’s a testament to the power of handmade fashion and a little reminder that sometimes, the best projects are the ones that push us out of our comfort zones.

**********

The content and photos featured in this blog post are for personal viewing only. Please do not reproduce, distribute, alter, publish, or share any of the images or text without permission. These photos are my own creative work and should not be used for commercial purposes or reposted elsewhere online or offline. If you'd like to share this project, please link back to this blog post and give proper credit to Pops de Milk / Patricia Castillo. For any questions, feel free to reach out to me at patricia@popsdemilk.com.