Make a Dress With Detailed Directions

Want to try your hand at sewing but don't know where to start? You'll have to read on!

Steps

  1. Decide what kind of dress you want. There are all types of dresses as we know, cocktail dresses, ball gowns, prom dresses, halter dresses, tube dresses, retro dresses and all sorts of combinations, with necklines, waistlines, and hemlines.
  2. Find a pattern that matches the closes thing to the type of dress you want. You can go to Walmart, K-Mart, Target, Jo-Ann Fabrics, or you can look on the internet. The most popular sites for easy-difficult patterns are www.mccall.com, www.butterick.com, or you could look on e-bay.
  3. Take your measurements; bust, waist and hips are most common. When you measure your bust, make sure you measure around the widest part and do not make it too tight, otherwise you will not fit in your dress, the waist is the smallest part of your waist, and the hips are the widest part around your rear. Make sure you keep the tape measure straight for an accurate measurement.
  4. On the back of the pattern envelope, compare the sizes to the size chart and pick the size that matches your measurements the most. If you are in between sizes, go with the larger because you can always alter it for a fit.
  5. On the envelope, it will tell you what type of fabric you need and the accessories that are required like zippers, buttons, and biased tape. Make sure you get the fabric that will go with the type of dress because some fabrics will not work with different types of skirts/tops.
  6. Lay out the fabric according to the directions and lay the pattern tracings out on the fabric according to the directions. Pin the fabric tracing paper onto the fabric and cut out the shapes very carefully. But make sure you read carefully.
  7. The directions in the envelope tell you what shapes go together and how to sew it to make the form of the dress.
  8. After you put the original safe stitches in, slip it on and pin it to where it will fit better so you can alter it.
  9. If you do not have a sewing machine, ask a friend or relative who has one if you can either borrow it or if they can help you make the final stitches.
  10. If you sew the zipper by hand, you can reinforce it so it won't fray. If you want your lines straight, though, use the sewing machine.
  11. Let your dress hang for 24 hours so the pleats/fabric will get a natural shape.
  12. If these steps worked for you, enjoy your dress!

Tips

  • If you cannot get anyone to measure you, measure a friend who is about the same size as you.
  • Its better to have a friend help you take your measurements so you can get a more realistic feel.
  • If you start getting bored of your dress, take a break for a while.
  • If you want to buy a sewing machine, you can look at refurbishing stores, Jo-Ann fabrics, Walmart, Target, K-Mart, or online. Be warned, they are usually heavy, so shipping could be expensive.

Warnings

  • If you're not confident, take your time; the dress will be there tomorrow.

Things You'll Need

  • Pattern
  • Fabric
  • Needles
  • Thread
  • Zippers
  • Biased tape
  • Tape Measure
  • Fabric Marker
  • Pins and pincushion
  • Fabric Scissors (sharper than regular scissors)
  • Thimble (if you're nervous about pricking yourself)
  • Tailors Chalk

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