[aphraell]

Hi

I've made a couple of dresses for DD and can see a definite improvement in my sewing. So thinking I might try and make something for me to wear.


Looking for an easy dress pattern - I like the look of this
http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/43808#.UL3UTY5EzH0


but think its probably a bit much for a beginner sewer. Anyone have any suggestions?

The style of dress above suits my shape - shift dresses etc don't work for me at all

[YodaTheWrinkledO...]

It could have changed, but Burda patterns don't include seam allowances, which means you need to do this yourself when you trace/cut the pattern. As a beginner sewer, I would stay away from that and stick with patterns that include seam allowances in their pattern pieces.

It looks like you want a pattern that is shaped?

Kwik Sew Cross-over dress (K3949)

Simplicity Cynthia Rowley collection - dress

Simplicity dress 2442 (it says special occasion, but if you just make it in regular fabric, it's along the lines you want.)

New Look 6020 - fitted panelled dress

New Look - 4 dresses in 1

New Look 6557 - strappy summer dresses

New Look 6776 this is also similar to the dress pic you posted

New Look 6966 - retro style summer dresses

Anyway, that should give you some idea. A lot of the big/commercial pattern companies (Simplicity, Butterick, Vogue, etc) will have a range of easy/beginner patterns that you can select from.

[ednaboo]

Yoda, I think they do now include seam allowances in Burda patterns? ( I remember that they didn't a long time ago though!)

This post has been edited by ednaboo: 05/12/2012, 10:30 AM

[YodaTheWrinkledO...]

Yoda, I think they do now include seam allowances in Burda patterns? ( I remember that they didn't a long time ago though!)

Oh, that's good then. I've steered away from Burda in the past because I couldn't be bothered adding in the seam allowances (although sometimes I have simply used a size up). Off to take a peek ....

OP, I think the pattern that you have picked is lovely, but probably a bit ambitious for a new sewer.

In general, the more seams, the more difficulty. That's my general rule of thumb when trying to figure out how easy/fast I can sew something.

Plus if it is more than seam sewing, it requires more technique - zips, buttons, pleats, darts and gathers, etc. Not hard, but these require a bit of patience and some trial and error when you are learning them. And for first timers, you probably don't want a lot of new techniques in the one garment.

[SarahM72]

Most patterns have a rating on them. So just check the rating.

As a beginner probably steer clear of buttons and zips as well. But plenty of nice dresses are just slip on.

I think there is a brand of pattern called Sew Easy? Or something like that. All the patterns are rated easy for beginners.

My son makes a style of dress for his sisters which is kind of similar (well vaguely in that it has a bodice, the skirt falls from the bodice, and it has shoulder straps), but much easier. It is pull over the head, with a rouched bodice and shoulder straps. I think he makes it all from one piece of material, sewn in a tube. From the look of it it appears he rouches the top piece of the fabric first, then sews it up to a tube. Hems and adds shoulder straps. He doesn't use a pattern, so it must be easy!

[YodaTheWrinkledO...]

My son makes a style of dress for his sisters which is kind of similar (well vaguely in that it has a bodice, the skirt falls from the bodice, and it has shoulder straps), but much easier. It is pull over the head, with a rouched bodice and shoulder straps. I think he makes it all from one piece of material, sewn in a tube. From the look of it it appears he rouches the top piece of the fabric first, then sews it up to a tube. Hems and adds shoulder straps. He doesn't use a pattern, so it must be easy!

You can buy pre-rouched fabric from spotlight. As you say, all you do is sew up a back seam to make a tube, do a quick hem and if you want, attach some straps. Viola, dress! I have made them for nieces, etc. Very quick.

[SuezS]

I'd read through the reviews and see what previous people have thought about the pattern, ease to sew etc.