I know you think, sewing a dress?? that's impossible! But it's not! Today I'll show you it's not! Sewing can be hectic, especially when you're constantly being interrupted. You might not enjoy sewing-I probably won't be able to fix that, you know. Some of you may have never attempted to sew; I encourage you to give it a try and see how it goes! I sewed my first dress all by myself self and it turned out so good. Even mom gave thumbs up! (Bless her heart! she'd do that anyway😊) I'm making a cape dress but I'll be giving instructions for the basic dress as well. Heres the link to buy my patterns Sew Basic Dresses I used size 14 of the girl's pattern.

Supplies

Dependable sewing machine

Scissors

Seam ripper-in case you need to open stitches

TIPS:

Do NOT stretch the fabric A standard ballpoint needle is ideal for most knit projects. Ballpoint needles, also called jersey needles, typically come in sizes 70/10 to 100/16. Use a smaller needle for finer knits and a larger needle for heavier fabrics.

Use the right stitch. I'll show you a picture later on.

Iron every seam

DO NOT HURRY!!That's one of the biggest mistakes you can make while you sew-don't try it!

Step 1: Get the Sewing Machine Ready

My Sewing Machine is a Singer Heavy Duty. It works well for "lightweight" (easier) projects. I'm not sure how well it works for Quilts etc. Buy here SINGER | Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine with 23 Built-In Stitches -12 Decorative Stitches, 60% Stronger Motor & Automatic Needle Threader, Perfect for Sewing all Types of Fabrics with Ease. Length should be at 2.5, Stitch should be zigzagged, Tension at 3, Needle position at the middle, Width at 4.

Step 2: Sew the Shoulders

Place the bodice front with the bodice back, with the right sides together, and sew the shoulder seams. Do the same to the lining/cape. Your seam allowance is 1/2 inch unless marked otherwise.

Step 3: Sew the Darts

Your pattern might not call for darts if so, do not sew darts. If your pattern does ask for darts start by marking them off by how long you want them (on the wrong side of the fabric see picture above). Next, decide how wide you want them. Your pattern will likely already have the marks. Then sew them from the wrong side of the fabric (see picture) Also it'll probably look better if you use a straight stitch for this. Sorry I didn't think about this when I sewed the dart above.

Step 4: You Are Ready to Sew the Neckline!

The right sides of the fabric are to be facing down. BASIC: The lining is to be on the bottom with the front part on the top. CAPE: The cape is to be on the top with the bodice on the bottom. Pin it to keep in place. If you need to, mark the neckline with chalk. The shoulders should be lined up together. Now sew. Go cautiously, making sure the necklines stay in place. Use your scissors and snip around the base of the neckline-don't snip into where you sewed! Before you call it done, sew around the inside of the neckline to keep the lining/bodice from showing.

Step 5: Sew the Sleeve

Fold your sleeve piece in half to the bodice shoulder seam. Right sides facing. Sorry, I forget to snap a picture of that if you have any questions just let me know and I'll see if I can answer. A CAPE DRESS | HOW I SEW MY DRESSES is also a great video. You'll probably figure a lot of things out by watching a video.

Step 6: The Skirt

Before you begin, though, if you have a cape, pin the cape to however wide you want it then pin it like that. you may even want to sew on top of the waist sewing the cape and bodice together. Do the same thing to the sleeves.

SKIRT PART

If you do a fitted skirt you don't need to worry about this. But I'm going to gather my skirt, and how you do that is (in the biggest stitch I use size 4. Also, your stitch should be on a straight stitch which means the width has to be changed to one) Don't backstitch! Sew 3 lines in a row- don't let them cross each other, taking the 3 top or 3 bottom strands, pull the and spread the gathers until the skirt fits the bodice. Now put the right sides together (see picture above) and sew. There you have it!

Step 7: Side Seams and Zipper

ITS ZIPPER TIME

Iron the zipper where it's going to be sewed. Zip it up and bring the two back bodices together put it on top of the middle, open it and take the left side (I'll use the left side as an example) and twist it to once to the left. Leave however much you want to be left on the side. Then pin it. Now you're going to want to sew it as close to the edge as possible (see picture) Holding it securely in place with the flap turned out and begin sewing. Make sure it stays that way as you sew.

Make sure the front waistline and back waistline come together at the sides. Then start a little below the waistline sewing up. After you did that sew where you started again sewing down. And then you have your sideseams.

Step 8: Hemming

If you want to learn how I did my hidden stitches on the cape and sleeves watch SEWING A CAPE DRESS | HOW I SEW MY DRESSES This was actually the first time I did it. It turned out really good.

Step 9: WARE IT!!!!!

After all your hard work now it's here! If this was your first dress don't worry if the sideseams didn't all line p the hemming didn't go right-This was actually the first time I did it that way and it turned out pretty good. Anyway, I am NOT a seamstress and not all of my dresses turn out as well as this one did.