A Quick and Easy DIY Dress That You'll Wear All The Time

Hi friends! Today, I have an easy sewing project for you. It’s a DIY dress sewing pattern that’s very quick and simple to make even for beginners.

It only takes 1.25 yards (1 meter) of a soft flowing fabric like viscose. I give instructions for size S (38 European) and also for sizes M, L and XL.

So let’s get started!

Tools and materials: 

• 1.25 yards (1 meter) of 60 inch (150 cm) wide viscose fabric
• Fabric marker
• Ruler
• Measuring tape
• French curve (optional)
• Scissors
• Pins
• Fabric clips
• Large safety pin
• Sewing machine

1. Cut out the dress

Fold your fabric in half lengthways with the wrong side inside and place it down flat with the fold away from you.

Cut a strip 2 inches (5 cm) wide from the left edge of the doubled fabric and put it aside to use later as the neck tie.

Pin together the raw edges nearest to you.

Measure 8.75 inches (22 cm) up the left side from the raw edge for sizes S and M and 9.25 inches (23 cm) for sizes L and XL, and cut a small notch.

Measure the same distance down from the folded edge on the opposite side and and snip the edge.

Fold the fabric at the marks and cut along the slanted fold to separate the parts.

Keeping the bottom two layers folded, place the sections you just cut on top, matching the pinned edges with the fold.

Cut 0.75 inches (2 cm) from the narrow edge through all layers.

To shape the armhole, measure 8.75 inches (22 cm) across the narrow end from the pinned edges and mark.

Mark 8.75 inches (22 cm) down the pinned edges and draw a line (28 cm) long across the fabric from that point.

Connect the first line to it and curve the outer corner where they meet.

Cut out the armhole.

Curve the hemline by marking 37.5 inches (94 cm) down the pinned edge and the outer edge and join the marks with a curved line. Use a French curve for this if you have one.

Cut out the hemline.

2. Center back seam

Place the two smaller pieces right sides together and pin the straight center back seam.

Mark 6 inches (15 cm) down the center back from the top edge.

Join the center back seam from that point to the hemline, taking a 1 inch (2.5 cm) seam allowance.

Open the seam allowance.

Turn under the raw edge on one side of the opening at top of the seam twice and sew it down.

When you reach the beginning of the seam, turn under the seam allowance to match and continue sewing it down the length of the seam.

Sew the other side of the center back to match.

3. Hem the armholes

Sew a narrow double hem around all four armholes.

4. Top casings and neck tie

Turn under 1.25 inches (3 cm) at the top of each back shoulder and pin in position.

On the wrong side, turn under the raw edges and sew in place close to the lower edge. Leave the ends open so you can thread the neck tie through.

Repeat across the top of the front section.

Turn in the short end of the strip you cut for the neck tie.

Fold both long edges towards the center and fold the tie in half again lengthways.

Sew the folded edges together.

5. Finishing

Place the back and front together with the right sides facing.

Pin and sew the side seams and finish the raw edges.

Turn up and sew a narrow double hem around the lower edge.

Attach a large safety pin to one end of the neck tie.

Starting at one side of the center back and keeping the neck tie flat, thread it through the casing to the top of the armhole.

Thread it through the front casing and back through the other side of the back, leaving enough at each side of the front to act as shoulder straps.