i need help on sewing??

Question

i have never made any kind of clothes and i brought a pattern for a dress that i want to make my daughter for christmas. i need a step by step picture diagram on how to make it please help anyone.

Answer 1

Hang in there, it will become second nature before you know it! Make sure the pattern is labeled for beginners. Avoid plaids or slippery fabrics for your first time. Get your fabric ready by cleaning it in the way that you plan to clean the finished dress. The cleaning instructions will be on the end of the bolt when you find the fabric in the store. If you are washing and drying it, clip off about 1 inch of each corner to minimize fraying. It will still fray some, so don't panic. After you clean your fabric, iron it and then fold it lengthwise, right sides together.

On the front of the pattern, each variation of the dress is labeled A, B, C, and so on. Pick which one you will be making.

Inside the envelope are the tissue paper pattern pieces and then the instructions, printed on thicker paper. On the instructions, find the section that lists all the pattern pieces by number, and which pieces go with the specific dress you chose to make (view A, B, C, whichever.)

Open up the tissue paper and use paper-cutting scizzors to isolate the pattern pieces you need. Don't cut them on the lines, leave lots of blank paper around each one. Fold up the rest and put them, with the envelope, into a large zipper-lock freezer bag.

Next go back to the instructions and look at the suggested fabric layout. Place your pattern pieces the way they have it mapped. You can deviate from this after you become experienced.

The pattern pieces must lie flat in order for you to cut accurately. If you use pins to hold the pattern piece onto the fabric, run them lengthwise and make sure they don't distort the fabric. Stay on the line for your size. Cut the outside of the line. Cut the notches to the outside. A single notch should be cut like a triangle. A double notch should be cut like a big triangle but then you nip off the point. Single notch always means this is a front piece. Double notch always means you are working with a back piece. Use fabric marking paper and a wheel to transfer all of the little circles and other markings you will need.

The rest should be on the instruction sheet.
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Answer 2

As everyone has said, the instruction sheet/s inside the packet should have pictures to show you as you go. If you want to make a practice garment first with cheaper fabric, that would be good, save your heartache if you make a mistake and can't fix it, then you haven't ruined your nice fabric.
If you think you will make the pattern again, or you would like to keep the original pattern so you can use a larger size next time, trace the pattern pieces, including all marks, notches, and notes, not forgetting the size, onto very inexpensive interfacing. Your original pattern will always be in as new condition.
Keep your interface pattern pieces in a zip lock bag with the original pattern, and all your pieces are kept together.
Also, when laying out the interface pattern pieces onto your fabric, you can pin in onto the fabric, then use a fabric pen or chalk by writing or marking directly on the pattern piece, and that mark will go directly through to the fabric without having to lift anything and lose your place. Mark out the outlines, darts, notches, etc, then take off the interface and cut out your fabric following the lines made.

Answer 3

Kacky - great advice!
I like to iron the tissues before pinning them on - it makes sure that the little wrinkles are out, and that the tissues will lay flat while pinning.
Also, if you've purchased expensive fabric or fabric you really love to make the dress out of, go buy some muslin and make a "practice" dress. Designers often try out a pattern using muslin (called "muslins"!!), its a cheap material. It also lets you work out any possible bugs before you start sewing (and ripping) your finer fabric.

Welcome to garment construction! It's so much fun!
You can post questions for help on:
www.patternreview.com
It's a sewer's website full of knowledgeable people!

Answer 4

That comes inside the pattern - have you opened it up & taken the pieces out? It's in there.

Some hints: Wash fabric before cutting it out in case it's going to shrink a tiny bit. (unless it's dry clean only fabric)

Iron each seam as you go. That's because as you are sewing, you can press a seam while you can still get it flat. Once the garment is made, it is circular (to go around the body, like you know, a sleeve is circular) so you can't get that seam pressed good then. It will keep seams nicely pressed and not "puffy."

Answer 5

Hi, Julie -- If your pattern instruction sheet does not include the picture detail you'd hoped, you might consider a visit to your local library to locate a book for beginning garment sewing. Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Answer 6

One thing to add to Kacky's advice, stay away from any fabric with a nap, especially velvets. I didn't realize velvet had a nap till I sewed two pieces together ... it really shows up.