Summer sundress pattern and sewing yourself

Summer is the time when you want to wear beautiful, light clothes, changing outfits every day. The simplest option is a sarafan. You won’t be able to buy a summer dress for every day – it’s expensive, but sewing or remaking it from old things is easier. To prepare patterns for a summer sarafan of the most ordinary model, you need to take basic measurements and prepare simple tools and materials. There are a lot of models that are completely simple to sew, but look very impressive and attractive.

How to choose a style

Before you start working on a summer item, you need to solve many issues related to the preparatory stages. The selection of tools and textiles, accessories and fittings will be carried out a little later, but the style and model should be determined first.

The most important among them is the definition of the style that is relevant specifically for your figure. The most beautiful part of the body is highlighted - legs, décolleté, shoulders and neck, tummy, back. Additionally, a model is selected that will be suitable for a particular event.

Which styles will be appropriate in a given situation:

• On straps. This option for arranging the shoulder and back area emphasizes youth and freshness. But thin multi-tiered straps are only suitable for skinny girls. But plump girls and women should take a closer look at models with wide straps.

• For plump women, it is worth choosing a silhouette in the Empire style, boho. A straight hemline can emphasize the charms of plump ladies with an hourglass figure. The ideal option is a trapezoid-shaped wrap-around sundress. All these extensions and looseness visually correct the figure.

• The most popular style is oversize - a thing that can be used in everyday life. With the right accessories, a simple thing can easily be turned into a festive one.

• A school or office sarafan is practically a sheath dress. Its distinctive feature is the light material and more open cut in the arms and shoulders. Usually, this type of clothing is used only in cool seasons.

• Women over... Here it is important to consider all the nuances that concern the body, so it will be difficult to decide on the style unequivocally. Some women have a great décolleté area, others have very beautiful legs. Therefore, you need to open exactly the advantageous part of the body.

• The sporty style is considered basic and even universal in new collections. Sundresses of this type can be combined with high-heeled shoes and still feel completely comfortable. This type is suitable for any figure and age, if the cut is spacious.

It is necessary to pay attention to the age limits for a particular model. Mini will be a completely vulgar length for a woman over 50 years old, even with the figure of a 25-year-old girl.

These guidelines will help make the choice simple. If you take into account all the advantages and disadvantages of your own figure, then the choice will be simplified even when determining the model, and not just the style. There are other interesting solutions that are more related to completely unique things with limited use - masquerade, theme party.

Measurements for the pattern

Even the simplest pattern of a sarafan cannot be prepared qualitatively without at least basic measurements. What exactly needs to be measured determines the style in which the item will be made and the cut. It is necessary to add +2–3 cm on each side to the main parameter – this is the seam allowance. But if knitwear is used as the main textile, then this cannot be done.

What measurements need to be taken in any case:

• The distance from the middle of the shoulder to the bottom - it all depends on the desired length of the product.
• It is essential to determine the hip circumference, since in straight cut options this parameter is the main one for determining the width.
• An additional important parameter is the chest circumference at the widest point.

Secondary measurements are also required, which will determine the length of the sleeve, ¾ sleeve, arm circumference, neck circumference, and the distance from the neck to the chest.

The remaining measurements are taken in accordance with the features of the summer garment model. Measurements may be needed in accordance with which more complex details of the bodice and sleeves will be formed.

To carry out the procedure correctly, you need to know the basic rules for taking measurements from a person. There are some recommendations - do not stretch the measuring tape, check the parameter with a second measurement, add a small reserve that will be removed when sewing.

Choosing fabric for clothing

To sew a sarafan with your own hands, you first need to decide on the choice of fabric. Much depends on the type of sarafan. There are not only summer models, but also demi-season ones. Such things are worn over turtlenecks, T-shirts, knitted blouses or large knit sweaters.

For "warm" models, you can use corduroy, drape, woolen fabric, denim. Summer items of this type can be sewn from lighter and airier materials:

• chiffon;
• gabardine;
• atlas;
• chintz;
• knitwear;
• flax;
• viscose;
• cotton;
• silks.

Fabrics are often combined with each other. There are decorative inserts of leather, guipure and other textiles. The coloring can be absolutely any.

Instructions for beginners - step by step

Many beginning needlewomen are concerned about the question of how to sew a sarafan using basic patterns and manufacturing options. To get started, you need to prepare a basic set of tools and materials:

• Scissors, safety pins, needle and thread.
• Paper, measuring tape, chalk and pencil.
• Fabric, finishing materials, fittings.
• Sewing machine.

In any case, the actions are carried out according to the same algorithm:

1. The choice of style and simple manufacturing technology is made.
2. The necessary measurements must be taken from the model.
3. Making a pattern taking into account the parameters.
4. Processing of cuts and stitching.
5. Basic finishing and application of fittings.

After finishing work, it is important to wash and iron the finished product.

Half-sun - sarafan

The simplest style of a summer sarafan is a half-sun. Even a novice seamstress can sew the product, since the pattern consists of only 1 piece, which resembles a very flared skirt. Usually, a product of this style is made for children.

You need to prepare the following tools and materials:

• safety pins, scissors;
• chalk, measuring tape;
• 1 m wide silk ribbon;
• 1–2 linear meters of fabric.

Manufacturing principle:

1. Fold the fabric in several layers (according to a special pattern).
2. Secure the layers with safety pins.
3. Next, measure the top part, which will become the armhole for the head.
4. Round off the bottom. First measure a certain distance from the top mark, which will become the length.

5. Process the edges of the top and bottom - you need to fold the fabric and stitch them.
6. Turn the wide strip in the armhole area and sew it to the base of the sundress, forming a “tube”. This will be a solid strap.
7. Pull a silk ribbon through the “tube” and tie it into a bow.

The result is a spacious summer sarafan without a single seam. The only sewing required is the edges.

Straight sundress with gathers at the top

It turns out that patterns for summer dresses and sundresses can be quite elementary. One of these is the production of a straight sundress with a straight cut and gathering at the shoulder. Thanks to this cut, a product is obtained that is distinguished by its versatility - it is suitable for going to the beach, on a date, an evening walk.

How to quickly cut and sew a straight sarafan with gathering at the top:

1. You need to cut out 2 narrow but long strips and 2 rectangles.
2. 2 rectangles are the basis of the sarafan. The width of the rectangles will be determined by the hip circumference + 10–15 cm. The length of the rectangles is the length of the sarafan itself.
3. Narrow stripes will form a gather. The length of the stripes is the circumference from shoulder to shoulder + 30–40 cm.
4. Next, the rectangles are sewn together to form the silhouette.
5. A “tunnel” is formed along the entire length of the strip for the upper assembly, into which the elastic band is then threaded.
6. Then the assembly and the base of the dress are sewn together so as to leave armholes on the sides for the arms.

The result is a romantic sundress that does not require additional finishing, as it looks quite impressive on its own.

Model with elastic band

Any novice seamstress can make this version of a sarafan. The silhouette is usually straight, the length can be completely different, the product is easy to wear. Sewing consists of elementary manipulations with fabric.

Step-by-step algorithm for creating a simple product with an elastic band:

1. Decide on the length of the item and its width. The latter parameter is determined by the largest hip circumference (you need to take a reserve of 10-15 cm).
2. Transfer the parameters to the fabric, draw a rectangle with specific parameters for the length and width of the sides.
3. Sew the rectangles together. The base is ready.
4. Turn the strip at the top and sew it to the main fabric. This will create an armhole.
5. Pull a wide clothesline through the resulting piece.

You will get a light sarafan, which can be transformed using various accessories, belts. Often in the waist area another elastic band is formed, which is sewn on the wrong side of the base.

Empire style

At the end of the 19th century, empire style dresses came into fashion. The peculiarity was in the unique proportion of the bodice – it was shortened. The skirt was sewn to the top, fixed directly under the bust line. This old dress became the basis for modern styles of summer dress options.

Sewing a summer sundress in the Empire style will not be difficult if you use a simple interpretation:

1. The hem is formed from 1 piece, which is a rectangle. The length is the entire body circumference, and the width is the future length of the item.
2. Prepare 2 narrow strips, the length of each is 2 times greater than the same parameter for the hem rectangle.
3. 4 trapezoid-shaped pieces are made. The trapezoid height corresponds to the distance from the lower chest line to the middle of the back neck.
4. Next, the parts are assembled according to the diagram below.

Elementary sewing instructions will be accessible to needlewomen with any skill level. In this model, the back is half open, which makes the item sexier and truly summery.

Tiered Dress for Older Women (Summer)

A multi-tiered pattern of a sarafan for an older woman is not difficult, but it has its own peculiarities. It is important to cut the top correctly so that the arms are covered. Usually such a dress resembles a trapezoid in shape, where each tier is slightly gathered.

The principle of making such a dress:

1. Prepare several rectangles of fabric, which, like a nesting doll, are laid out from largest to smallest.

2. Naturally, each detail corresponds to the parameters of the body in which it will be located.
3. Next, you just need to sew the pieces together, gathering the fabrics a little.
4. Make a pattern from the fabric for the bodice, which will look like a T-shirt with wide straps, and sew it to the already formed skirt.

This silhouette allows you to hide figure flaws, make the item brighter and more attractive. Many believe that the colors and fabrics used within one item can provide visual therapy for others.

Sundress for plump people

For plump women, the ideal style in summer clothing will be boho. This is a spacious silhouette that emphasizes one feature of the figure - the waist, chest or arms and other parts of the body. The shape of the clothes in this style resembles a bag with ethnic motifs. Sewing any version of a sundress in the boho style will not be difficult, while the patterns are elementary.

Boho sundress - its cut is simple, you can see it in the picture below.

For expectant mothers

A women's sundress for expectant mothers should be practical, comfortable and wide in the tummy area. The top can be a closed bodice or a top with straps - it all depends on taste and personal preferences.

A sundress with straps, the pattern of which can be found as shown below.

The construction of the pattern for a spacious summer dress for pregnant women looks like the picture below.

Often the same models are used for plump or older women. And thin fashionistas often prefer such comfortable and unusual models.

Summer sundresses are practically the main clothing for girls and women who want to emphasize the femininity, attractiveness and sexuality of their body. You can get a unique item in terms of color, model and style only in the case of custom tailoring. The work can be done very well at any level of skill if you use basic pattern options. First, you need to choose the appropriate type of material and algorithm for working on the product.