How to Make your Dress by Yourself

Friday, January 04, 2019 0
Simple Dress
The best way to successfully sew your dress by yourself is to make your dress in processes with each process having several steps, which are build upon each other. After a process is done, you move to the next, and before you know it, you are done with your dress.

The first step is;




Select your fabric

You can choose a simple Ankara to start with. Ankara fabrics are not only good for starting but also cheaper; you can get a yard of Ankara for as low as N1000 in Lagos market.


Ankara


Though any fabric can be used for a dress, but if its your first time of trying, you may want to tray an easy, natural or cotton blend. Look for pretty fabrics that meet your color, pattern and texture needs.



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Note that silky or heavy fabrics are difficult to sew without a bit of practice.

Also chose a fabric that is thick enough that it won’t require two layers, that is why I recommended Ankara. You can start with 2-3 yards, depending on the size and length of the dress you are making.

You can use an old tee-shirt from your wardrobe as the base for your dress.

Iron your Fabric

Iron your fabric to smooth it out and prepare it for sewing. You can wash to remove wrinkles or stains if there are any or to preshrink the fabric before sewing. If you have preshrink the fabric, then, dry and iron and prepare it for sewing.


Select a Pattern 


How to Make Sewing Patterns


Patterns are specific measurements and shapes the different parts of your dress will need to be cut into. Choose a pattern that is the style and shape you would like, in the correct size of your body type.

For a simple dress, the pattern might include the dress front. Dress back, front and back neck facings or sleeves.


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If you don’t want to use a dress pattern to make your dress, you can create a mock pattern by using a dress you already own. Find a dress you like and that fits you well, and use the outline of this to create your pattern. Your final dress will be in the same style of the dress you used to trace.

If you are using a dress for the pattern use your traced outline of half the dress, drawn after being folded in half and placed along the folded edge. Cut along this line.

Add ½ inch of extra fabric around the edges of the dress for seam allowances. Most patterns already have this included in their measurements, but you will need to keep this in mind if you are tracing a dress for your pattern. 






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See a pattern for making children's dress

Take Your Measurement

If you are using a dress pattern, follow the guide to take your measurement with a soft tape measure. To create a dress using another dress as the pattern, fold it in half lengthwise. Place it over your fabric (also folded lengthwise) and trace around the outside. You can change the total length of your dress using either a pattern or your own measurements by measuring from your hips to your desired end point, and making this alteration to your fabric.

Measure yourself with a measuring tape (or the person you're making the clothes for) first, Write down the measurements, and then take another look at the pattern envelope. It will show you which line of the pattern tissue paper to cut on based on size.


Cut Your Fabric

Lay your fabric (or folded in half, it the pattern directs you to do so) and place your pattern over the top. Follow your traced lines and the guide to cut out your fabric in the matching shapes.

If you want to add sleeves to your dress, cut your dress fabric in a tank-style top and then sew your sleeves on later.

Be sure to cut the fabric for the back of the dress as well as this point, using the same method as you did to cut the front.


Begin Sewing

Follow the sewing directions on your pattern. The sides of the dress will be sewn first. Turn your fabric inside-out and fold ¼ of an inch over on either sides, using and iron to flatten it out. Then, use a zigzag stitch to sew the front and back together, and a top stitch to attach your newly formed seam to the body of the dress. The top stitch will help the fabric to lay along the seam and add a more professional look to your dress.

Follow any specific directions on your pattern for sewing additional sections of your dress.

If your pattern directs you to sew something other than the sides first, do so.


Sew the Neckline

For simple neckline, fold over ¼ inch of fabric along the edge and iron it flat. Use a straight stitch along the collar to sew the edges in place and keep them from fraying. You can adjust how deep the neckline plunges by measuring the distance from your waist to the desired area on your bust, and adjusting your fabric accordingly.


Add the Hem

On the bottom of the dress, fold over ¼ of an inch of fabric and iron it down flat. If you have one available, use a serger to secure the ends and keep them from unraveling. Then, use a straight stitch to attach the folded edge to the bottom of the dress, holding it in place. So you won’t make a mistake.



Finish Your Dress

If you want to add a zipper to the side or back of your dress to allow for easier opening/closure. You can choose to add a lace overlay, ruffles, trim, or beading to your dress for an added touch. It’s your dress and opportunity to show your style! Do as you please.


Note:

What is a Serger

A Serger is also known as an Over lock Machine. You can think of a serger as a type of sewing machine. It binds fabric together with an over lock stitch. That over lock stitch is created with 3 or 4 different threads.

A serger uses 3, 4, or 5 threads to sew a seam, trim off the raw edges, and finish the edges all at the same time. The most common type is the 3/4 serger which can sew with three or four threads. ... You can also make a serged seam more durable by pressing it to one side and top stitching the seam from the right side.


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