Making the Perfect Dress from a Dress Pattern?

Answer 1

Sewing dresses for yourself is rewarding and fun. An essential to sewing a successful dress is a pattern tailored to your purpose.

Although practice and careful attention to detail is required to create a polished, well-fitting dress, anyone can follow a pattern and achieve rewarding results. If you are a beginning seamstress, look for patterns that describe themselves as easy, beginner, or quick. Read through the directions before you begin sewing the dress. If you are unfamiliar with sewing and using patterns, get a book that teaches sewing, and learn the basics.

Creating your own dress will ensure a dress fitted precisely to your figure. Find a sewing book or website with instructions on taking measurements, and learn how to determine your size. When buying patterns, look at the measurement chart, to see how closely your figure matches the unaltered sizes. The majority of patterns give directions in altering the pattern pieces to fit your measurements. Be aware that sizes on patterns are around six numbers larger than the same size of garment would be at a department store. Most patterns will come with around three to six size choices, but be sure your size is included in the envelope you buy.

Besides sizing, you will want a specific style of dress. Go to a fabric store and look through the pattern books. Search on the internet for patterns. There are a few sites that offer free patterns. Go to a thrift shop or an antique store, and look through bins of vintage patterns. Search until you find a style that suits you. Look beyond the images of the models wearing the garment, though. Imagine each dress in different colors and fabrics.

When you pick the pattern, also look at what kinds of fabric and notions will be used, and how much is needed. If you purchase these at the same time as the pattern, you can begin sewing right away. Using a dress pattern, you can make a unique garment that will fit you better than any purchased dress would. Use a dress pattern, and you will be rewarded.