Easy first dress to make on sewing machine?? suggestions?

30th May 2013 at 14:02

Hello lovely people,
I really want to make dresses like a boss but I have to get started somewhere. I have a sewing machine and I have used it for projects before like tailoring mens t-shirts to fit me or hemming my pants and stuff. I have only really worked with recycling thrift store finds. I want to make something from scratch, like buy the fabric and make it myself. I know nothing about using patterns and things like that. Is there any website or project you recommend for an intermediate...beginner???

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7 replies since 30th May 2013 • Last reply 30th May 2013

Reply #1: 30th May 2013 at 15:03

A shirred top dress might be the easiest, though it requires you to hand-wind bobbins with elastic thread.

The "pattern" is basic, usually it's just a rectangle that's 15-25 inches wider than your largest measurement (hips or bust) depending on how loose you want it, and then cut it as long as you want it to be. With stretched elastic thread on the bobbin, and regular thread in the needle, you make long straight stitches (the stitch length should be as long as possible), usually 1/2 inch apart until the entire bust area is shirred. Then of course your can sew up the sides of the rectangle and add a halter strap if you want.

T-shirt or jersey dresses are also easy to make, since you can just follow the shape of your favorite t-shirt and just make it longer.

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PinkWeeds

Reply #2: 30th May 2013 at 15:03

Try my H&M Inspired Dress, it's super easy to make!

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/hm-inspired-dress

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GryffindorGrl

Reply #3: 30th May 2013 at 16:04

this dress is super easy to make, cheap and cute! happy sewing!
http://talk2thetrees.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-easy-high-waisted-dress-for.html

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Question_Savvy

Reply #4: 31st May 2013 at 02:02

One way I started was to get an old t-shirt and take it apart. Then I got some newspaper and traced around the parts. I just used the newspaper pattern on some fabric (2 or 3 yards) and then when I got to the bottom of the shirt I kept tracing to add length. If the practice I makes fits, then I can start adding small changes, like sleeve length and waist, ext...
I also found ideas here:
http://www.giannyl.com/
I don't do everything she does, but it helps me with basic ideas and then it's easy to alter things for yourself.
Hope I helped!

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Question_Savvy

Reply #5: 31st May 2013 at 02:02

Oh yeah. Threadbanger, on youtube, also shows easy starting points to work with basic patterns and alterations. You may have heard of them before.

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Libby W.

Reply #6: 31st May 2013 at 12:12

I really like that talk to the trees dress! My local sewing shop sells really cheap polycotton that would be perfect for this, and I always have a ton of old vests hanging around.

I like this maxi dress http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2011/07/boho-maxi-dress.html it looks pretty simple and you could use a pre-dyed fabric rather than dying in yourself.

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