We've all had that comfortable dress we want to wear every day and wish we had in every color. Well, wish no more. Learn how to create a pattern from that favorite dress, so you can make a version of it to wear winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Things You'll Need
Dress or shirt that fits you perfectly
Measuring tape
Washable marking pen
Wax paper
Pins
Tracing wheel
Sharp scissors
Permanent marker
Wrapping paper or freezer paper
Pattern weights (or drinking glasses)
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Tip
When choosing fabric for your new dress, be sure to pick fabric that is similar to the original dress. For instance, if the original dress was a knit, you'll want to use a knit fabric to make the new dress with this pattern.
1. Mark the neckline
Use a washable marking pen to mark the center back and front on the neckline.
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2. Mark the bottom of the dress
Mark the center front and back on the hem of the dress with the washable marker.
3. Pin tissue paper to the dress
Place a piece of wax paper over half of the front of the dress. Line up the edge of the paper with the center marks on the neckline and hem. Pin the paper in place. You don't need to trace the entire front of the dress because you are creating a pattern piece that will be used on the fold.
4. Trace the lines with a tracking wheel
Use a tracing wheel to "draw" a line around the seams of the dress.
5. Cut out the wax paper
Remove the pins, take the paper off the front of the dress and cut the wax paper along the lines you traced.
6. Label the wax paper
Be sure to label each of the pieces of wax paper as you cut them out.
7. Repeat process on back of dress
Now turn the dress over so the back of the dress is facing up. Place the wax paper over half of the dress, lining up the center marks on the neckline and the hem. Pin the paper in place and trace over the seam lines of the dress with the tracing wheel. Remove the pins, cut the paper along the traced lines and label.
8. Pin wax paper to the sleeve
Fold a piece of wax paper in half and place it over the sleeve with the fold along the top edge of the sleeve. Pin in place.
9. Trace the sleeve lines
Use the tracing wheel to trace over the armhole seam. Remove the pins, cut the paper along the traced lines and label.
10. Use a glass for weight
Place the wax paper pieces onto wrapping paper or freezer paper. Instead of pinning, you can use regular drinking glasses as pattern weights to hold the wax paper in place.
11. Mark the wrapping paper
To create the seam allowance on your pattern piece, use a measuring tape and a marker to mark 1/2 inch away from the wax paper pattern piece onto the wrapping paper. Continue marking around the entire pattern.
12. Cut the wrapping paper
Cut the wrapping paper along the lines you just marked.
Use the pattern pieces to make a new dress that fits just like your favorite one, in every color for every season. Be sure to check out How to Add Sleeves to a Sleeveless Dress if you'd like to turn a summer dress into a fall or winter version.
