Dresses are loved by most women. They can emphasize the figure and hide extra pounds. The right style can radically change the appearance. This article tells how to sew an evening dress and what is needed for this.
How to choose the right style
If a person's main weight is concentrated in the lower part of the body, that is, large hips and buttocks, but at the same time an elegant waist and chest, narrow shoulders, then this type of figure is called A-silhouette. For such proportions, an empire-style dress is perfect - with a high waist, a wide trapeze skirt and a lot of drapery material. You can also wear long dresses with decorative trim on the bodice.
If the figure is in the form of an hourglass, then this type is called silhouette B. This figure is characterized by a large chest, full shoulders and hips and a fairly narrow waist. In this case, it is better to choose items with an emphasis on the waist. If you want tight-fitting clothes, then be sure to use a wide belt. For this type of figure, you can use any cut with a high waist.
If a person has an almost invisible waist, very broad shoulders and a small chest, then this type of silhouette is called C. With these parameters, girls usually have slender legs, so they can be highlighted. It is advisable to buy products just above the knees.
The wearer of the D-silhouette has narrow shoulders, a large bust, and wide hips. The main goal is to get an elongated and slimmer look. In this case, it is advisable to choose a stylish dress with a tight-fitting bodice and a deep neckline. For such shoulders, only flared sleeves are used.
Owners of the E silhouette type have a large neck, a wide back, a voluminous bust, wide hips and a full waist.
When choosing an evening dress, you need to focus on trapezoid styles. You can choose a model that is relevant in a certain season with a spacious top and a lush short skirt. For such a figure, it is better to use thin materials.
The combination of broad shoulders, large bust, no waist, large straight hips and beautiful legs causes a lot of problems for girls of the F silhouette type. The main goal is to choose a model that does not visually make the girl even bigger. It is better to give preference to one-piece items with a little drapery and a length just below the knee.
Attention can be focused on the original design of the bottom or neck. All dress models should cover the shoulders.
Fabric preparation
The quality of the product, its wear resistance and properties directly depend on the correct choice of fabric.
Basic rules for choosing materials for sewing an evening dress:
- You can't buy materials that have poor elasticity and fray at the edges. It's quite difficult to work with such fabrics and they are not suitable for beginners. In order for the product to look chic, each line must be laid correctly, all seams must be in place;
- It is advisable to give preference to knitwear. It can be either thick or thin. If the material stretches a little, it will be much easier to work with, and the dress will fit perfectly. There is no need to make darts or heavy tucks. The edges are quite easy to process. Sometimes you need to carefully cut off the excess - and you can not hem at all;
- do not choose heavy patterns on the fabric. The best option would be a single-color fabric of a bright shade, or, conversely, pastel colors;
- Before buying fabric, you need to choose the style of the dress, calculate the amount of material needed, and also purchase all the tools (scissors, threads, buttons).
Taking measurements
Table 6 shows all the necessary measurements that need to be taken to construct an evening dress pattern. When measuring the parameters, you need to stand freely, do not slouch. The measuring tape should fit tightly around the body, but not squeeze it. You also need to take into account allowances. Below is a description of how to construct a quick pattern for the product.
Construction of the pattern
Sequence of pattern construction:
- Model the bodice. You can use a basic pattern of the product that suits the person in parameters and start modeling. The bodice consists of 2 parts, so the top and bottom will be made separately.
- Sew the belt. Measure 5 cm along the cuts of the back and front, then match the points with a segment. Cut off the belt with the skirt. As a result, the back and two shelves are formed.
- It is necessary to move the shoulder wedge seams downwards.
- Make the straps up to 3 cm wide. Add 4 cm along the bottom of the bust, because the darts have been transferred and folds should be laid.
How to sew a belt? The width of the belt will be about 5-7 cm. And the length is calculated using the equation:
- for the upper edge - 2x + 2 y (the length of each bodice element along the bottom line is added together). It is also necessary to add allowances immediately;
- for the lower cut - A+B, waist circumference parameter.
Construction of the skirt:
- get rid of darts at the waistline;
- on the skirt, perform a dilution. Here it is necessary to construct cutting lines on both sides of the skirt;
- expand the obtained parts to the required size.
The construction of the skirt ends with the design of the waistline and cuts. The length can be chosen at will.
Layout and cutting
Now you need to perform the process of cutting out the elements. Cut out two elements for the bodice, one belt and one piece for the skirt.
Attention! In some cases, the bodice needs to be lined to prevent it from showing through.
Allowances for seams and loose fit must be left at the bottom and sides. Lay out the pattern pieces on a flat surface and check the sizes. Below is how to sew the dress pieces.
Stitching the front and back pieces together
When sewing an evening dress, all elements are pre-basted (fixed with pins) or with regular stitches of temporary use, which simplifies their final sewing and increases the quality of the machine seam.
Before the basting process, the parts are folded, this is usually done with the outer sides inward, connecting the control marks and cuts.
When sweeping two elements along cuts of different lengths, for example, the back and front along the shoulder lines, the neckline with the collar, the sides with the facing, and the like, the process is carried out from the side of the element that needs to be “shrunk” a little, in other words, from the side of the parts with a large cut (neckline, facing).
Machine stitching is done from the inside of the product.
After the basting process, you need to iron these areas to smooth out the seams.
How to sew a lining to a dress
Step by step work:
- All seams and darts need to be made.
- Process the edges and iron them.
- Fold the bottom of the dress and stitch it.
- Make an armhole overcast.
- Sew the main piece with the cover with the right sides together, joining the shoulder seams with the side seams.
- The lining material should fit loosely to the body.
- Sew a zipper between the lining and the dress. To do this, turn the cover material inside out, attach the zipper and sew it.
Only natural and thin materials are used as lining.
Belt and bow decoration
Step-by-step work:
- To trim the belt, you need a rectangle of the same width. But several times higher;
- Sew the rectangle along the sides, carefully pull it evenly to the width of the shelf belt. Sew these parts and stitch. Then attach the drapery along the upper and lower edges. Make it as a single-layer element;
- For the bow, you need to cut out two rectangles. It should be as wide as the front part of the belt and 70 cm long;
- Sew all the parts of the product. Sew the finished parts of the bow to the sides of the dress and tie at the back.
If desired, the bow can be embroidered with stones or beads, and a long train can be added at the bottom. This way, the product will be more festive.
Thus, sewing an elegant dress with your own hands will be quite difficult for a beginner needlewoman. To make the work easier, you can use the patterns from this article. Such dresses can be worn for anniversaries, weddings or parties. It is advisable to watch several master classes before starting sewing and learn all the nuances when making an evening dress.
