Beginner-friendly Summer Dress Tutorial
As it’s starting to get warmer, I decided to make a quick and easy DIY summer dress. It’s a perfect project for a beginner.
I added side pockets to mine, which I haven’t included in this tutorial though this is a completely optional step.
Adjust all the measurements to suit yourself!
Tools and materials:
- Cotton fabric
- 1/4 inch elastic
- Scissors
- Pins
- Measuring tape
- Iron
- Safety pin
- Loop turner or crochet hook
- Sewing machine
1. Cut out
Cut two pieces of fabric, each 31 inches (78 cm) wide by 40 inches (100 cm) long.
2. Side seams
Place the pieces with the right sides together and sew the side seams with a 5/8 inch (1.5 cm) seam allowance.
If you’ve added pockets, sew around them when you get to them.
3. Casing and hem
Fold the top and bottom edges of the dress in by 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the wrong side and press in place.
Sew them closed, leaving a small opening on the top edge near the side seam.
4. Insert the elastic
Take your upper bust measurement and deduct 5 inches (12.5 cm). Cut the elastic to this length.
Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and feed it through the top casing.
Knot or sew the ends of the elastic together and sew the opening closed.
5. Straps
Cut two strips of fabric 2 inches (5 cm) wide by 17 inches (43 cm) long.
Fold them in half lengthways with the right sides inside and sew them closed with a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance.
Turn the straps right side out and press them.
Try on the dress and pin the straps in place, then sew them to the top edge of the dress.
Beginner-friendly summer dress tutorial
And you’re done!
If this was a little too fast for you, I have a more detailed tutorial on my YouTube channel.
If you’re brand new to sewing, this would be a perfect first project for you.
What do you think of it? Comment down below.
Next, learn How to Sew a Zipper Pouch for Beginners.
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