Making a pattern and sewing a slip dress yourself

When summer comes, it's time to update your wardrobe. To do this, just go to the store and choose the item you like. If you make a new item with your own hands, it will not only be comfortable, but also original. One of the possible options is to sew a slip dress.

Features of the dress

This style is well suited for summer time. The slip dress is comfortable to wear in hot weather and will work as an evening dress, for example, made of silk. Sewing is not too difficult and is accessible even for beginners.

This dress is often decorated with additional elements. Lace, bows or ruffles may be suitable for this. The combination can be worn with different types of shoes: shoes, sneakers or ballet flats.

The dress corresponds to a light and relaxed style. Therefore, it is combined with those wardrobe items that are characterized by massiveness and heaviness.

Preparation of materials and tools

It is necessary to choose a suitable fabric for the dress. In this capacity, you can use materials that are usually used to make slips: chiffon, satin, silk. You can also use any soft and flowing fabrics for this purpose, for example, viscose. You can find a suitable pattern, using, for example, the recommendations of the magazine "Burda".

For the dress you will need a piece of fabric that is less than one meter long.

You will also need:

• interlining;
• threads with colors that match the tone, as well as contrasting ones;
• scissors;
• pins;
• ruler.

After this, you can start working.

Technology of taking measurements

To sew a dress, you need to take the following measurements:

• chest circumference (it is necessary to take measurements taking into account the most prominent points);
• length from shoulders to the bottom of the dress;
• height from the beginning of the strap to the bottom edge of the slip dress;
• waist circumference;
• the armhole level is determined - it is measured from the bottom edge to the armpit;
• hip circumference.

Before you start working, it is recommended to think about the most suitable dress style.

Adjusting sizes

When sewing a slip dress, the pattern for the dress should provide an additional 1 cm for creating seams. To prevent the dress from lying too tightly, you need to add 6 centimeters in width. You also need to increase the size by a few centimeters in the hips so that the dress is not too tight, but lies a little loosely.

Modeling the base of the dress

For independent design, it is convenient to use the basic dress pattern and make the necessary adjustments to it. You need to do the following:

1. You will need two darts - one will be angled and directed upward and outward, the other will be laid horizontally. In the figure they are marked as numbers 1 and 2.

2. The waist line needs to be raised by one and a half centimeters.
3. Next, you need to change the side cuts. At the top, the shelf and back are reduced by 1 cm, at the waist level - by 2 cm. On the hips, the size remains the same, and at the bottom they need to be widened by 5 cm.

4. Next, new lines are drawn in the upper parts of the shelf and back. The specific appearance of these changes depends on what kind of dress the woman wants to sew for herself as a result of this work.

5. Now you need to construct a pattern in accordance with the changes that were made to the diagram. In this case, you need to close the bust dart, as well as 1 and 2. They are transferred to the bust in the side seam. The front and upper edges of the shelf will be damaged in this case, to compensate for this, you will need to finish them. It is recommended to take the dart length 3 cm less in order to ensure a smooth fit of the chest.

When cutting it yourself, you can provide for different top lines in accordance with the master’s taste.

Preparing the straps

When processing the upper edges, it will be necessary to sew the straps in parallel. Therefore, they need to be prepared in advance. For a slip dress, the straps will be very thin, so you will need to use the technology of creating laces from fabric.

To make straps, you need to do the following:

1. Cut narrow strips from the fabric. They should be 3 cm wide. It is better to take a longer length than necessary. If necessary, the laces can be shortened by hand to the required length.
2. When cutting strips, you need to choose the right direction to cut. It needs to be oblique and at an angle of 45 degrees to the grain and to the cross thread. In this case, it will be more beautiful and durable.
3. The prepared strips for the straps need to be folded lengthwise along the entire length.
4. At a distance of four millimeters from the fold, a line must be made.
5. Next, you will need to prepare a large needle with a thread, the same color as the fabric. It is sewn on the edge of the stitched strip. After that, the needle is threaded inside the strip and pulled to the end, turning it inside out.

After sewing, the cord will need to be moistened and then dried in a taut position. This can be done by placing them on a chair and securing them with pins.

Assembling the product

Below you will learn how to sew a slip dress. In order to transfer the pattern to the fabric, you need to fold it in half. The front side should be located inside. Apply the pattern to the fold line so that the cuts are located inside the fabric cut, and the straight side is adjacent to the fold.

Once the fabric has been cut out, you can see the back and front.

Next, you need to prepare the darts. In this place, the fabric is folded accordingly, then sewn on the machine. After that, it is carefully ironed, bending downwards.

The side seams can be finished in the standard way. However, if the fabric is thin, it can be done using a French seam. This can be done as follows:

1. Fold the fabric with the wrong side inward.
2. Sew the seams and then iron.
3. After this, turn the product inside out.
4. Then you need to sew the side seams again and iron them.

Now you can start processing the neckline. One of the ways to do this is by using a facing. To do this, you will need to use the back and front patterns. You need to draw a 4 cm wide strip along the top edge.

This figure needs to be transferred to the fabric, adding 1 cm along the edges for seams. You need to make the same strip from interlining. Then you need to do the following:

1. Fasten the side edges of the front and back pieces.
2. It is recommended to sew seams on a machine.
3. Process the lower edge of the facing with an overlock.

To attach the straps, you need to accurately determine their length. To do this, you need to measure them and make the necessary marks. Next, you need to baste them from the front side. At the same time, position them so that they are directed downwards, and the tips are turned upwards. Place the facing over the straps. Its upper edge should be flush with the dress. Now you need to stitch the facing and iron it carefully. Then turn it inside out so that it is inside the neckline and stitch at a distance of 1 mm from the outer edge.

The bottom edge of the dress can be folded inward twice and stitched, so the product will look neater. After the product is completely ready, it needs to be steamed or ironed.

The slip dress is suitable for those who want to find a suitable style for hot summer time or are looking for an original solution for an evening outfit. Making this clothing does not require excessive effort and will allow you to find your own original image.