Sewing course for beginners: How to sew a dress?
“The dress must follow the shape of a woman, and not the other way around”
Hubert de Givenchy
Learn To Sew For Beginners Its The Ultimate Guide for everyone, preparing you to make a dress can seem complex. Basically anyone can do it.
Do you remember the beautiful black dress Audrey Hepburn wore for the role of Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”? That was a dress made by Givenchy, one of the sacred monsters of high fashion, who passed away in 2018, it’s not exactly like sewing a dress in 15 minutes, in short!
Whether it’s a classic movie, an haute couture magazine, or a night out, dresses often stay etched in our memory, and some sometimes continue to stay in our imaginations, as they aren’t easy to find in stores.
Everyone can make their clothes and there is no need to be an exceptional tailor! Can we imagine how to make an easy dress or make clothes yourself starting from the fabric and the cut of the fabric and the pattern?
Of course! Evening, summer, trapeze, 1950s dresses, cocktail dresses, casual dresses, with or without a car … there are so many possible projects, and you just need to know what to focus on!
Follow our suggestions, supported, why not, by courses in your city, and your creativity will have no limits!
The first steps on how to sew a dress
Have you already had some experience with sewing? As a beginner, preparing to make a dress can seem complex, but by going through the different steps, everything becomes clearer.
As you can see there are a few first steps that one must take before beginning to sew a dress.
1. Select the fabric you will be using for your dress.
2. Cut out the fabric to the desired shape.
3. Sew the fabric together using a seam allowance of 1/2 inch.
4. Trim the seam allowance if necessary.
Another important step is to gather the necessary materials. This can vary depending on the type of dress being sewn, but most commonly one will need a fabric, thread, and pattern.
Once these materials are gathered it is time to get started! The next step in sewing any garment is to lay out the pattern on the fabric and trace it with a pencil. Make sure that you accurately cut out the pattern so that it fits properly on the fabric.
Once the pattern has been cut out, it is time to start stitching! Stitching can be done by hand or with a sewing machine, but either way there are specific steps that must be followed in order for the dress to come together properly.
One of the most important things when sewing any garment is making sure that all of the seams are sewn correctly and evenly. This will ensure that no wrinkles or rips will form during wear and tear. After completing all of the seams it is time for finishing touches! This could include adding buttons or zippers, but once again make sure these details are accurate and fit properly onto
Here are the best sewing secrets!
Today, among other things, a multitude of free tutorials and clothing patterns are available online, so you can train yourself with the basic techniques!
You can also try using the old systems first, such as a classic book.
In broad terms, here are the main steps to follow:
- Choose the fabric you want to use and wash it: for your first dress, choose a natural fiber fabric (e.g. a cotton fabric or a cotton blend, which is easier to work with). Get a thick enough fabric so you don’t have to put on a lining. Usually, it takes two to three meters of fabric in all, depending on the size and style of the dress: long dress, short dress, sleeveless or sleeveless dress … You must then wash the fabric, as it may shrink slightly, and therefore iron it.
- Choose a model you like: a dress model can be very useful in the beginning. as it provides us with the specific measurements and shapes to make the different parts of the dress.
- Take your measurements: Buy a tape measure and take your time and measure before you start cutting the fabric. If possible, ask someone to help you get as close to your real size as possible!
- Cut carefully: Place the pattern on the fabric well stretched and taut, pin if necessary, then follow the lines you just drew to cut the various pieces of the dress. If your dress has sleeves, they will need to be cut into separate pieces of fabric from the main piece. Always leave an extra inch of fabric on the edges.
- Sew: Again, take your time. You will soon realize that it is better to do the points carefully and conscientiously, rather than having to unravel them and then redo them. The neckline and hem require special attention.
- Finishes: Once the dress is sewn, a zipper can be added to the side or back of the dress. Of course, any customization is allowed: add lace, flounces, beads, armholes, a buttonhole … show your style without fear!
Do you want to learn how to make fashionable clothing as soon as possible with a cutting and sewing course? This course by Margaret Smith is by far one of the most successful courses participated by more than 11,000 beginner students.
How to make a simple dress?
There are a few steps to making a simple dress. The first is to measure yourself and find the size you would like your dress to be. Next, choose a fabric that you love and fits your style. You can either buy fabric or make your own using a pattern or tutorial online. Sew the seams of the fabric together and then hem the bottom of the dress.
Keep in mind these steps (in no particular order).
- Choose a dress fabric.
- Cut out the dress fabric.
- Sew the dress fabric together.
- Spray the dress with a clear coat.
- Shine the dress with a light.
It is not necessary to set too complicated goals at the beginning; In just a few steps, without having to take lessons or knowing what an overlocker means, it is possible to make clothing that is easy to make.
Make a tunic in under an hour
Yes, you can make a dress in less than an hour… it’s possible! If you want to believe it, you have to try it yourself.
To summarize, just cut four pieces of the same fabric, sew them the way we explained to you, hem the neck, sleeves, and bottom, put on a belt, and that’s it. And if you still have an hour ahead of you, you can even sew a pleated skirt!
Make a dress with 4 rectangles
A little on the same principle, many specific blogs explain how, with only four rectangles of fabric, it is possible to quickly make dresses! Doesn’t that seem possible to you?
Yes, you can choose a light jersey to put an elastic at the waist or customize a dress by adding pockets or gathers at the shoulders, for example.
Making strapless dresses yourself
The strapless dress is an ideal clothing model to start with. Very simple to make, especially if by machine, it can be declined in a beach or evening dress, always depending on the fabric and models chosen.
You will have to cut a large rectangle measuring one-meter x one meter, sew along the height and form a tube, place an elastic on the top of the dress and in the center to form folds, to make a bottom hem … And that’s all! I cut, sew and go! It seems like a no-brainer… and indeed it is!
You can then make a bag if you got carried away with the needle and the thread!
And is it easy to choose the right buttons? Or create your favorite bag?
And, going further, consider attending a workshop or taking private lessons if you want to make the perfect seam.
You will learn techniques, such as the insertion of the lining, which serves to reinforce or consolidate a part of a garment or a seam, the molding, to make your models with a mannequin, etc … You will learn to recognize and use all types of fabrics and accessories to make hems, inserts and much more!
You will also be able to work on all types of fabrics and patterns: fleece, viscose, poplin, satin, velvet, patchwork, shirts … the options are so many!
How to sew a dress with pattern paper
Does the word “pattern” scare you? This is a common problem and rather easy to understand, so don’t worry, get rid of everything that stresses you and sew your clothing without a pattern!
Here are the main steps to follow point by point:
- Choose a long tank top that you usually wear (and that fits you well!),
- Cut the paper according to the length of the tank top and add 3cm,
- Place the undershirt on the card – the start of the straps must coincide with the start of the card – and outline the card,
- Take the other measurements and trace them on the paper
- Draw the bottom of the dress
Another equally easy model to do is an elasticated skirt or a gathered skirt! With a meter of fabric and a little bit of elastic, and without any pattern, it is possible to sew a skirt for both winter and summer, depending on the chosen fabric.
For this type of project you can follow this simple track:
- Cut a rectangle – measure your waist multiplied by 2 on one side, and the desired length plus 4 cm on the other;
- Pass the elastic around the waist to determine the ideal length,
- Sew the sides,
- Sew the loop where the elastic will slip,
- Insert the elastic into the loop you sewed,
- Sew the hem of the skirt with a needle and thread.
Why not start making pants too? Many YouTube channels teach people how to sew. Whether you want to make a dress or another piece of clothing, there are plenty of channels that can help you. You can find tutorials for all sorts of sewing techniques, from basic steps to more complex projects. If you’re new to sewing, some channels may be more helpful than others. However, any channel that offers step-by-step instructions will be a valuable resource for learning how to sew.
How to sew clothes with a private teacher
Here at Superprof, many teachers are available: the basic costs vary from € 15 to € 50 per hour depending on the level of competence, your experience, and your needs.
It is also possible to follow online courses, both with Superprof, through the webcam system, and through all the websites that offer excellent training at competitive prices!
Having an experienced teacher next to you is very useful, as he will be able to correct your life whenever you are in trouble, it is still the best way if you want to learn how to sew quickly. A teacher is the best way if you want to learn correctly, without the risk of making mistakes and therefore wasting time.
Apart from everything, our advice is to find the right teacher for you, possibly considering the possibility of taking courses in small groups: in fact, many people tend to prefer courses in which there is an exchange between students, rather than following individual courses. Everyone must be able to choose the system that best suits him or her!