Outside of a few skirts and shirts I haven’t done much sewing for myself. For some reason I have always thought anything outside of that was more difficult than it would be worth; but lately I am seeing the value in it. Custom made for the price of your time and fabric? Really it’s a bargain.
Plus, I am thinking it will look way better. For instance, I have really narrow shoulders with arms that are disproportionate to their size. So by the time I find a dress to fit my arms, it is always too big in the shoulders and looks a little off. So then I always end up buying it a little too tight in the arms, and I am thinking that is not the most flattering of looks :).
Just recently I made this Dolman Sleeve Top, and really it has been a favorite. It fits just the way I want it too, and is actually flattering – and easy! It’s convinced me to do a little more sewing for myself.
Well my husband has a conference coming up and every night (6) requires a dress or a skirt. So what better time than now, right? I have done a little looking around and have found some great resources to get me started, but I would love to hear your input on the matter – like where would you start? Do you have a go-to pattern that you love for dresses? Here’s what I’ve found:
- How to measure yourself correctly – thinking this is a good place to start
- Shannon’s Modify Dress looks very customizable
- A novices guide to draping on Burda Style
- Seriously tempted to take this Sew Retro Perfect Bombshell Dress class on Craftsy
- All Free Sewing has a Free E-Book For 11 Patterns for Sewing Woman’s Dresses
- I am all sorts of in love with this retro dress pattern – is it too much?
There’s what I’ve found, now I’d love to hear your bits of wisdom on the subject. For some reason sewing a dress intimidates me…possibly because it would really stink to spend money on 5 yards of fabric only to mess it up.
Tell me what you think!
Thank Ladies,
Destri
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I have always been afraid to do much more for myself in sewing other than altering already made clothes. Good for you for wanting to branch out and try new things! Have you looked at the site http://www.sewinginnomansland.com? She sews all kinds of dresses and skirts for herself and has free patterns and tutorials. It is definitely worth checking out.
Yes, that was Kelly I actually linked to for measuring yourself correctly! Love Mrs. Kelly.
Tell you what, I’ll be sewing myself something within two weeks, lets do it together. Then in two weeks when I share what I have made, you can share what you’ve made!
Are you in?
AH! Sorry for the overdue reply! I wondered if that was Kelly’s link for measuring yourself. It wasn’t opening when I had tried to open it so I didn’t know. I have been tempted by your challenge to sew something for myself…but I am also 20 weeks pregnant. I have thought about making Kelly’s 10 minute maxi dress since it looks so easy and I could make it to fit my growing tummy. The hardest part is that I don’t live conveniently next to a decent fabric store. We’ll see if I can take my kids for a little road trip soon to get to one.
Before you cut into that gorgeous fabric, make a muslin out of cheap stuff, like a thrifted sheet. It can help you make sure things fit in all the right places before you dive into something you end up regretting later.
Aw Chris, you always have great advice. I do make a muslin when testing patterns that I make, but hadn’t thought about a muslin for a pattern I purchased. Makes sense. Thank you!
Oh how exciting! I can’t wait to see what you come up with, I’d love to sew along with you. I’ve been wanting to make some cute summer dresses and shirts, but I always thought it would be too hard until I whipped this up last week. – http://seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com/2012/04/tutorial-quick-halter-dress-for-women.html
But I run into the issue of finding the right bra, so I’d love to see what dresses you come up with.
Oh I like it! Yes, so sew along! I hadn’t thought about that, but so much more fun that way. I am hoping to have a couple things finished in the next couple weeks. I will share what I’ve made, and then you can share yours? Maybe I’ll put up a linky?
Thanks so much Mary!
The Sew Serendipity book by Kay Whitt has easy to follow patterns and directions. She has three basic patterns (skirt, jacket and tunic dress) with 6 alternative ways to make each.
Missy, the total bummer part about that, is I have a signed copy of that at home. That was the first thing I thought off too. I am in Arkansas in a temporary apartment without all my things…in some cases this is a good thing, but man I wished I had my books!
Here are several I have pinned, http://pinterest.com/missyshay/sewing/, I made the Muslin dress, and it is very easy to make.
Oh you have a great board! Thanks so much for sharing, I am all over that chiffon maxi dress!
You’re going to love sewing for yourself and having things that fit you just right! Don’t be intimidated!
Patternreview.com is a great resource with lots of tips and reviews of patterns (it requires a login but is free to join).
Taking your measurements is key – pattern sizing is not the same as ready to wear sizing at all. But, sometimes pattern companies build in a lot of wearing ease into the designs so be prepared to take patterns in too.
Vogue 8379 is a great wrap dress pattern that can be dressed up or down depending on fabric. Wrap dresses – especially knit ones – can also be a little easier to fit. You could always make the skirt a faux wrap too.
Fabric choice makes all the difference – a dress out of something like a quilting cotton can look really cute on a little girl but can have a tendency to look homemade and stiff on an adult.
Oh Sarah, I love you! And dido on the quilting fabric. You know my sister owned a fabric store that carried primarily quilters cotton, so that is what I learned to sew on, but I have found I love to sew with knits, so your advice is perfect.
Off to find that pattern ;)
Thank you!
ps feel free to send daily motivation…!
I say go for it! Sewing clothes for yourself can be so much fun, and is really not as bad as you think. I agree with what some of the other ladies have said; a knit wrap dress will give you some wiggle room in the fit department. In the past when making dresses, I pick a style with a tie at the waist because that way you can tie it to fit snuggly, and you don’t have to worry too much about getting it to fit like a glove. You could easily add ties to the 50′s dress pattern, which I am also mega in love with. Another tip is go by your measurements and not by the sizes on the back, you’ll get a better fit that way. Also, be wary of crazy prints, you can end up looking like a kalidoscope. Have fun!
I have to laugh at the crazy prints, it’s funny how when looking at something on the bolt it seems like a great idea, then when you envision yourself wrapped up in it…
Yes, I think I will try a knit, I had my eye on some fabric last time I was shopping so I think I’m going to pick it up today.
Thanks Skyler, I shall report!
If you are starting to sew more for yourself, I wouldn’t start with a vintage Vogue pattern unless you want to drive yourself insane!!!!! It would be like the equivalent of trying to run a marathon on your second day of starting to exercise. :) I’ve always found Vogue patterns to be more challenging and the vintage aspect makes it even more difficult (the directions are not always as clear and concise as they are today).
The blog “Grosgrain” used to have a series called “Frock by Friday” in which Kathleen would break the steps down so you would work on a women’s dress a little bit each day Monday through Friday. The patterns selected were usually pretty easy and it helped to have additional insight posted on her blog. They made a dress called “The Coffee Date Dress” using a free pattern on Burda Style that I’m still dying to make(http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/coffee-date-dress-multisize-sample).
I say start with an easy dress, build up your confidence, and then take on harder projects! This is how I started sewing in high school and now I make most of my own clothes so I know they fit well. Good luck!
Oh dear, anyone that knows me well knows I hate running, so you’ve used the perfect analogy! I had a few emails warning me of the same thing of vintage patterns. I actually have a couple, so I took one out. I am pretty good at figuring things out, but I don’t think now is the time. Love your advice with starting simple. It should help me figure out my fit, were I need more ease in a pattern, and where I need less.
Love that Coffee Date dress, so many possibilities with that!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave references, I’ll let you know when I’ve finished!
I have been sewing all my own dresses since I was 14. I also sewed for my mom and sisters and my grandma. Now I have a daughter to sew for. I usually like to have one go-to pattern and adjust it or change it as needed. I agree with Chris about using a cheap muslin or sheet mock up. A thrift store is a great place to get that kind of stuff.
I am a thrift store junkie, thanks for the thought of getting something for a muslin there.
I think that is exactly what I need, a go-to that I can build upon. Now, I just need to find it!
Thanks Janet
So glad you are beginning to sew for yourself. I started sewing at 10 and by 13 made almost everything I wore. Needless to say I became a Home Economics teacher and was able to teach others how to sew. Today’s fabrics, notions and sewing machines make it “sew much easier”. Good luck in your fiber indeavors.