How to Make a Dress Out of Fabric

Create your own dress using a pattern and basic sewing skills.

Sewing a dress may seem like an intimidating project, but anyone with basic sewing skills can execute it. The most surefire way to achieve success is to use a dress pattern-- a paper blueprint of pieces to cut and assemble to ensure a properly proportioned dress. Patterns are widely available. Most craft and fabric stores have many file cabinets full of patterns that you can buy or borrow in-store. They will also advise you how much yardage will be necessary to create your dress. The average woman will require two-to-four yards, depending on the length of the dress.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Dress pattern
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Thread
• Needle or sewing machine
• Notions, as needed

Instructions

1. Cut the pieces of the pattern from the paper following the dotted lines.

2. Unfurl the fabric, and pin the pattern pieces to it with straight pins. Place the pieces near each other, but do not let them touch or overlap.

3. Cut the fabric by following along the border of the pinned pattern pieces.

4. Pin the pieces of fabric together, following the instructions on the pattern or its packaging. Unless you are sewing an elaborate dress, you should not have more than a few pieces.

5. Make sure that the inside of the dress is the side facing out to you when you pin the fabric so that you sew the dress inside out. This will ensure that the seams are hidden inside the dress when worn.

6. Remove the pins that hold the pattern pieces and the pattern paper. Leave in the pins holding the pieces of fabric together.

7. Sew alongside the pins to seam the pieces together. You can use a needle and thread or a sewing machine for this. The machine will work faster and provide a stronger seam.

8. Turn the dress inside out and remove the straight pins.

9. Add notions, like buttons or embellishments, as desired.

References

• Craftzine: How-To: Sew a Ruffle Dress and Skirt
• Martha Stewart: Elegant and Easy Dress