I had an edge because I already knew the basics. My mother taught me how to use a sewing machine. If you’re a complete beginner, I’d say get some sewing lessons – just the basics on how to use a sewing machine and how to care for and troubleshoot. Around where I live, the fabric stores have lessons for very reasonable prices. I picked a pattern that was easy. Plenty of straight lines and no zipper. Also, simple, 100% cotton. Satins slip around like crazy and are difficult for someone with experience. I read instructions first. I wash, dry, and iron fabric before laying it out and cutting out the pattern pieces. I use quilters pins because they are easier to maneuver. As I gained experience, I learned to make decisions on how I did or did not want to follow the pattern/instructions. But, at first, it was best to follow them faithfully. Tip: sometimes pinning something in place just doesn’t work out – hand basting takes more time, but it is worth the effort, particularly on a collar or sleeve.
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How to sew a dress
It made me
 How I did it: The idea was to create a dress, "one size fits all", so I started out by drawing a pattern, based on a wide blouse of my mother's. I kept it as simple as can be: back and front, connected at the side and the shoulders - the loops the cord was supposed to go trough were sown into the sides, though - small seam at the bottom and what we call "beleg" at the arms and neck (sorry, don't know the english word). By pulling at the cord, you can adjust the size to your bodyshape, so really: one size fits all (okay - from a fairly thin person to a rather big person, at least) I'll take a picture and upload it as soon as I can.
Lessons & tips: If you're starting out, just take a model from a book or magazine and keep someone experienced on hand to help you. Oh, and as long as you'e not certain of your own abilities, keep to not too expensive fabrics; otherwise you'll only get hesitant or nervous and you can't work comfortably.
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More "How I Did It" stories
How I did it: I had an event to attend and nothing to wear, so it put a little fire under my tush to actually sew a darn dress I've been talking about for so long. The pattern had already been cut, so that saved me a lot of time. The style was also very simple. I suggest to start with something basic to give you confidence and build your skills. You don't want to give-up before you begin. Once the fabric was cut I started sewing… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I found fabric that I liked that would go with the pattern I had, purchased it, and prewashed it. The following steps took three days of actual work, although the days were spread out to when I had time. The first day I cut out the pieces and sewed the eight pieces into a front half and a back half. The second day I sewed the two halves together and did the finishing work around the neck and sleeve holes. Then I hung up the dress for a wh… Read how I did it…
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I sewed a dress for the first time yesterday :) I’m extremely proud of it since I’m not very patient when it comes to hand crafting and sewing. It took only 2-3 hours, however, I have to note that I would never have finished it without a great help from my clever mom :D
I’ve declared Mondays to be sewing days, and last Monday I pulled out my fabric, cut out the pieces for the dress and started sewing! The eight starting pieces have now been sewn into a front half and a back half.
The fabric is really pretty – it’s a deep purple cotton/lycra? interlock knit. It was a bit of a challenge to cut out, though, because the fabric is very stretchy, and was in a tube, so getting it laid out on the grain was tricky. I ended up running it through the dryer on low heat for a few minutes (closely monitored) to make it more manageable.
Zoë was definitely born a generation too late
My mum and me are going to out do ourselves! (Or I sure hope so)
In just over a week I have my end of year (end of school!) prom, and for the occasion we’re making a dress after a pattern by dutch designer Mart Visser. He makes the most awesome dresses, and this one just really kicks ass; it’s huge!
here’s a picture of dress, as shown in the magazine we took it from:
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/549/3869/1600/919548/Gala%20Jurk%20Nov06.jpg
(I did not take this picture I found it via google)
Anyways, I bought a dark grey(ish) fabric and there’s a slight problem washing it (as it’s a cotton/synthetic mix) but we’re gonna give it a go. Should we fail, I have a nice brown dress lined up anyway :P
PersephonesBees is exausted.
my birthday is this weekend.
i have to work tomorrow and on saturday.
i think friday is my day to get this done.
then i can have a cute dress by the family dinner on sunday!
i have found a couple of tutorials online.
i’m thinking of trying one out.
PersephonesBees is exausted.
i have two boxes full of patterns.
they are all old, and way to big.
but i think i can find one that i can adjust so it’s not a tent, and i don’t look like a freak in.
(they are almost all from the seventies and eighties.)
i’ll search through them in the morning.
I’ve just bought a lovely sewing machine, and I have the fabric and the pattern.
My first step will be to cut out the pattern, and then the main fabric. Then, I’ll need to buy the lining and interfacing and cut that out too.
Zoë was definitely born a generation too late
tomorrow!
I finally found an excuse to make a dress; seeing as it’s a school project now, I will have to make time for it. Tomorrow will be the day, because the day after, it has to be finnished…
No worries though, as my starting point was “the easiest model you can imagine, that will fit anyone”
I might just pull it off…
pocake wants YOU to follow her on twitter
my bat mitzvah is next year and all my friends have gona shopping for theirs. I want to make my own. can anyone point me in the direction of a cute easy pattern?
