How to make a dress
using a sewing pattern
Sewing is a fantastic pastime that
brings out your creativity and your resourcefulness. If you know how to sew,
then you will not have a problem when there are instant invitations to any
parties as you know how to make a dress. But before starting your dress making,
you have to choose the right sewing pattern to use as well as knowing the dress fabric that
best fits the design. These are the must-haves when you start sewing a dress.
Here are the steps for dress making:
Start with taking your measurements. Since it will be difficult to measure your statistics, you can have someone to do it for you. Record the bust, waist and hip measurement. You should also have chosen what style you want that would look good on you.
For a first-time sewer, choose a sewing pattern that is simple. The simpler the sewing patterns, the easier it will be to sew. Read the pattern packaging, so you will be familiar with the guide and if the pattern interests you. The packaging also includes the dress fabric, suggestions for wearing it, the fit and the style.
Now that you have the pattern, you are now ready to buy the fabric to use. Since this will be your first time to sew, the best fabric to use is cotton. Cotton is durable, you can easily sew even if you are a novice and it does not snag like other fabrics. Cotton is cheap, so if you commit a mistake, you can afford to buy another one. Different fun prints are available that can inspire you more while sewing. Cotton fabric can be easily found in any fabric store; you can look for one in Homespun 10 Foot Wide Fabrics & Draperies. They have a wide array of cotton fabrics to choose from.
Wash the dress fabric before using and have it dried in the dryer. This will give you an idea if in case the cloth will shrink.
Put the fabric on a table; then cut the pattern pieces before placing them on the fabric. Place them accordingly based on the cutting guide that comes with the sewing pattern.
When cutting the fabric make sure that you give room for allowances. These allowances are for the seams.
For any special features like the dots, curve arrows, lines, arrow heads, grain lines, buttonholes, mark it with a fabric marker or tailor’s chalk.
Once everything has been done, you can now start sewing the dress. When sewing, follow the pattern guide. This would include sewing the zipper in the back seam, shoulder and side seams as well as adding the collar and sleeves, if the pattern requires for them. Do not forget to press the seam open as you go.
You are now almost done with your dress making project. Fit on the dress, then measure the hem to your desired length and pin it in place. Sew the hem and the sleeve hem by hand, or you can continue using the sewing machine if you prefer.
The dress is finally done! You are now ready to wear it.
