Sewing patterns are a great way to get into making your own clothes. Rather than having any special skills, you can choose a design and style you like and use that as the basis for making your garment. However, it can be tricky when you start using dress patterns to get the hang of the technique. A bit of practice and the right tools combined with the following handy tips will get you following dress patterns in no time.

Choosing a pattern

You should choose a pattern that you like the style of most importantly. However, if you’re a beginner, selecting a simple pattern could also be beneficial. Look for a dress without too much detailing or extra parts. A simple dress pattern is much better for starting, and you can advance to more complicated patterns once you have some experience. If you start with a design you struggle to finish, it might put you off developing your skills in dress-making. 

Learn the pattern symbols

Dress and all sewing patterns include many different symbols that are in place to help you when following the pattern. Before starting, you will need to understand what each of the symbols means and how to use them when creating your garment. Some common symbols used include: 

• An X marks a button placement combined with a line to mark the length of the buttonhole. 

• Notches, which are small diamond shapes placed around the edge of a pattern, help you align the material when sewing the seams of your garment. 

• “On the fold”, combined with arrows that form the shape of half a rectangle, indicates you should place the pattern on the fold of the fabric.

• Cutting lines, these are small scissors on a heavy solid line; this indicates where you need to cut the pattern.

Many patterns include a key where you can see exactly what each of the symbols means on that particular pattern. Once you’ve completed a few patterns, you will understand the symbols without needing to look at the key.

Prep your fabric

When using dress patterns on your chosen fabric, you will want to avoid any issues with the fabric shrinking. To prevent this, you should wash the fabric first before starting. Natural fabrics such as cotton and wool are prone to shrinking; washing will allow the fabric to shrink before you use it to make your dress. If the fabric is creased after being washed, iron it out. You should start with a flat piece of fabric that has been washed and ironed before cutting it to size.

Reusing your patterns

If you keep your patterns in good condition, you can reuse them for many years. Firstly make sure you never cut the original pattern. Instead, trace it out using tracing paper, and make sure you copy all the markings correctly to avoid missing out on vital information. Don't use pins in your patterns as these can cause tears, opt for pattern weights where possible. Once you’ve traced your pattern and checked to ensure you haven't missed anything, you can put it away for later use. Follow the same fold marks as the pattern previously had and carefully return it to its original packaging; some people also use zip-lock bags for added protection. The next time you use the pattern again, it will be as good as new. Avoid keeping your patterns in extreme heat or damp conditions; store them in a spare room or create a crafting space in your home. 

Practice

Before you use a fabric you like, try and practice making the item with a piece of sample fabric. You can use an old sheet or off-cuts of materials. You’re very likely to make mistakes during the beginning, and it can be very disheartening if you ruin an expensive piece of fabric by cutting it too small or in the wrong place. By practising on other cheaper materials, you can perfect the garment and then repeat the process on your favourite fabric confidently. Try to choose a practice fabric with a similar texture and stretch to the fabric you’re using for your final garment. Cotton is a good fabric for beginners to use for this purpose.

Resources:

• Sewing Machine - Notion

• Haberdashery - Odoo

• Zips - Populr