How to Make a Dress Using a Pattern
If you can sew, you can make a dress. The best way to learn to make dresses is to start with a pattern. While each garment is different, there are certain things you should look for as you make your first dress using a pattern.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pattern
- Straight pins
- Scissors
- Tailor's chalk
- Fabric marker
- Sewing machine
- Ironing board
- Steam iron
- Needle
Instructions
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Select the Pattern
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1
Take your measurements. You should know what your bust, waist and hip measurements are. You should also know what styles look good on your body and what styles you should leave alone.
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2
Look at the pattern books. Find some styles that you think would look good on you. Pull those patterns in your size out of the pattern drawer.
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3
Pull the pattern directions out of the envelope while you are still in the store. Most fabric stores don't mind as long as you put the pattern directions back the way you found them.
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4
Scan through the pattern directions to make sure you can do all the steps successfully. If the pattern looks too hard, fold the directions and put them back in the envelope. Keep looking at patterns until you find one you are confident you can do.
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5
Check the pattern guide for the most suitable fabrics for that particular pattern. Then proceed to find fabric that falls within those guidelines that you like. Purchase the fabric as well as any notions listed on the back of the pattern.
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6
Pre-wash the fabric. Dry it in the dryer.
Make the Dress
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7
Lay the fabric on a table. Cut out the pattern pieces and lay them on the fabric according to the cutting guide in the pattern envelope.
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8
Cut out the fabric. Be sure to leave room for a seam allowance.
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9
Mark any special features with tailor's chalk or fabric marker. This includes dots, notches and buttonholes.
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10
Sew the dress according to the pattern guide. Usually this involves sewing in a zipper in the back seam, sewing shoulder and side seams as well as adding a collar and sleeves. Remember to press seams open as you go.
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11
Try on the dress. Measure the hem and pin it in place. Sew the hem and the sleeve hem by hand.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Generally speaking, a dress with only three or four main pattern pieces is easier to make than a dress with a lot of pieces.
The above directions can serve as a general guide. Read and follow carefully the directions that come with the pattern.
