Q&A for How to Make a Dress

I would advise that you get a few sewing patterns and start practicing on inexpensive fabric before you dive in. I also always recommend going shopping first to see what styles and silhouettes look best on you before you start making your gown. Lastly, invest in the right tools. You need an adjustable dress that can be set to your basic measurements, different sizes of needles and sewing machine feet, quality fabric scissors, time, and patience! Reading blog sites such as Mood Fabrics and Gertie’s can provide great tips and advice to help you with your journey.

By practicing and having patience when you cut fabrics. When you start cutting, always know where your grainline is, make sure you have good sharp scissors, and utilize fabric weights or pins. For items like silk satin or flimsy fabrics, making sure the fabric doesn’t shift as you cut it is crucial for best results.

Probably a child over the age of 7 can do this. As long as you know how to sew, it's simple.

If you are worried about it not fitting, when you cut the fabric, add 5-7cm (1-2 inches). That way it won't be to small. If it's too big just use your seams as a guide to make it smaller. You can't make the dress bigger once you cut it out.

Silk and light fabrics are best used to make flowy dresses, while more stiff and thick fabrics can give a more full effect. It's really up to you what style of gown you want.

Buy fabric that matches the print of the dress. Having a sewing machine is a huge help. It's possible to hand stitch, but make sure you make it tight!

You could use fabric glue, which should be available at a craft store (instructions included with it).

It depends on the type of fit you are looking for. Cotton is great because of its breathe-ability, but it's not very stretchy. Look for a Lycra (Spandex) Cotton hybrid if you would like a little give and a comfortable fabric.

If the material is stretchy, use a zig-zag stitch. For anything else, use the stitch you think best suits the clothing.

Try adhesive tape made specifically for clothing. This will work if the "dress" you're trying to make is temporary -- it's not a permanent solution.

If you buy a pattern, then it will say on the instructions. If you're making your own pattern, you will most likely need the following: waist, bust, shoulder to shoulder, shoulders to desired length, and shoulder to waist.

Get a basic Brother brand sewing machine that comes with an instructional DVD. If you already have a machine but don't know how to use it, check YouTube for videos.

Turn the dress and the sleeve inside out then sew them together and flip it inside out.

Yes, you can. In fact, it would be a great starter project if it is your first time making a dress.

You can use fabric glue, or try sewing with a needle by hand.

It depends on how mature and careful the child is. Make sure the child knows what they are doing, and supervise them in the beginning.

Anywhere from 10 minutes (an emergency Halloween costume made from a bedsheet with two seams and unfinished edges) to 80+ hours (an 1880's historical re-enactment gown that needed a custom bustle, a pleated tiered underskirt, and lace puffing). If you have to ask, you probably want to steer yourself toward the "easy" pattern section, but I find that the finishing techniques those patterns recommend are simple but time-consuming. So long as you put the pattern back nicely in its envelope, most stores don't mind if you take out the newsprint instructions (not the tissue) and see what you're getting into. As a beginner, I'd steer clear of lots of handsewing (e.g. on a hem or bias binding).

Totally! Just be sure to add 1cm or so extra for comfort.

Just pick something that you think matches your personality. For example, a quirky and unique person might choose a rainbow pattern.

Check out wikiHow's article on making doll clothes. It includes techniques that do not involve sewing machines.

Sadly, no. Generally you will need a sewing machine to make dresses.

Try to get another fabric that works for you, in the right length. If you want the same pattern, you might just have to alter the design of the dress.

You could take a big t-shirt or men's dress shirt and belt it.

Fold the fabric twice to make a square, and measure it so it's even, each side should measure the same. Once you have a square (four layers of fabric), measure your waist and divide it by four. Cut the tip of the square using that measurement. Then, measure the length of your skirt from the waist to the desired length and make marks, moving the measuring tape along the hole you made for the waist. It's like origami -- when you unfold it, you'll see the circular skirt.

There are fabric and craft stores all over the place. If you do a simple Google search, you will probably find one within 50 miles of you.

Try using your hand to guide the fabric while you stitch it, being careful not to sew your hand.

You could try using YouTube and ask around for help. Just use any free time you have.

Sure, but only if no one is checking on the quality. It's rare that anything but "budget" gowns have top-stitching on the hem. Exceptions could include sheers, but it would have to be very narrow and very even. You're better off lining a non-sheer skirt before sewing it on or, in a pinch, sewing 1/2" horsehair braid to the outside, then flipping and fusing to the wrong side. If you feel you must top-stitch, keep it narrow, around 1/8-1/4". If you're talking about facings and not hems, understitching is far more professional.

Yes. You can be as creative as you like, but it might take a lot of time to do it without guidelines.

First, wash the material. Then get a pattern and sketch out the outline, along with a 1/2" allowance on each side, or measure your body to make your own pattern. Then sew it.