Learn to Sew: Shift Dress

Class Preview

Learn how to sew a dress from start to finish! Build a foundation for beautiful garment construction with techniques that transfer to all your projects. Note: Pattern not included.

Getting Started

Meet returning Craftsy instructor Nicole Vasbinder as you get set up for a fun and rewarding class! Nicole walks you through ways to take your own measurements, choose a pattern size, and choose fabrics that will be flattering and easy to work with.

Working With the Pattern

If you’ve ever been intimidated by patterns, never fear – help is here! Nicole helps familiarize you with the pattern diagrams and instructions, including tips on how to identify your size and cut the pieces out accordingly. You’ll also learn how to mark areas for darts, notches and more.

Marking & Cutting Fabric

Gain Nicole’s expert tips for identifying your fabric’s right and wrong sides, selvage and direction, as well as which layout to use based on your fabric’s width. Discover how to trace the pattern pieces, cut out your fabric and translate important markings before applying interfacing.

Fusing Fabric & Sewing Darts

Your careful measuring and cutting has paid off, and now it’s time to start sewing your dress! Learn the value of trying test stitches on a sample swatch as you practice making even seam allowances. Next, learn how to stabilize areas of your garment with staystitching techniques and add darts.

Shoulders, Side Seams & Facings

Sew your front and back dress pieces and shoulder seams together, using the markings you carried over from your pattern pieces to help guide you. Next, Nicole helps you construct the facings, and demonstrates a variety of stitches that you can try out on your seam finishes.

Sleeves

If you prefer to add sleeves to your dress, learn how to set in the sleeve and ease in the sleeve cap for a snug fit. Along the way, Nicole shows you how to gather fabric, sew and press your sleeves and hem the edges. Finish by using a rounded pressing surface to give the curves a final press.

Contrast Band & Other Finishes

Create a sleeveless variation of your dress if you wish, using bias tape for a neat, bulk-free armhole finish. Nicole also shows you how to add a beautiful contrast band of fabric to your dress for a fun pop of color, practicing understitching and slipstitching to provide a gorgeous finish.