Versatile Little Black Dress
There's nothing more classic than the LBD. Make the Versatile Little Black Dress and you can rest assured that your outfit will stand out in the crowd. These instructions on how to sew a dress including step-by-step direction. Follow the pattern and you'll learn how to sew a dress that's simple and special. Wear it out for a night on the town or dress it down for a work-appropriate ensemble. Show up to your next event in this little black dress and you'll feel confident and lovely.
Materials:
- Dress pattern (I used Pussy Bow Dress pattern by Salme Patterns)
- Fabric and lining (see fabric requirements of packet)
- Sewing machine
- Pins
- Thread
- Hand sewing needle
Directions:
- I began by cutting each pattern piece (except the collar) in my main fabric and the bodice and skirt pieces in my lining fabric.
- Following my pattern directions I sewed the bodice darts in both the main and lining fabrics. Next, I sewed each bodice together at the side seams, leaving the shoulder seams open. With the main bodice right sides out and lining bodice inside out, insert the dress INTO the lining, matching the side seams. Double check that right sides are facing. Pin around the armholes and sew, stopping 3” away from the raw edge of the shoulder seam.
- Clip the seam allowance around the curve of both armholes and turn the bodice right sides out, as it would be worn with the lining on the inside.
- Working on the shoulder seams, pin the right sides of the lining fabric together and sew, and push the main fabric out of the way. Repeat for the main fabric, sewing together the shoulder seams closed, with right sides facing each other.
- Press the remaining raw edges of the armhole to the inside. You can now topstitch around each armhole or handstitch the hole closed.
- I then sewed the collar and attached it per the pattern directions.
- Next I constructed the skirt in both the main and lining fabrics and basted the two skirts together with long, loose stitches around the waist. With the bodice right sides out and the skirt inside out (with the lining on the outside), I inserted the bodice into the skirt, pinned them around the waist and stitched them together.
- For the elasticated waist on my dress, I sewed a loop of elastic to the seam allowance at the waist, sewing through all the layers of lining and main fabrics.
- To finish, I hemmed the dress. Though sewing a lining for this dress took a little more time than if I hadn’t, the results are much more professional and stylish. The dress is extremely comfortable to wear and easy to move in and just the satisfaction of knowing the dress is finished well is enough to get me sewing linings into dresses again and again.
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RCadwallader 08962 33
Sep 01, 2018
This needs to be taken down. First, I downloaded a book that said I would get the free pattern to make this dress. The book took me to think link, which is the exact same instructions that were in the book. There is no pattern. This is misleading and confusing to those of us who were looking for a pattern. Please remove this from your site!
sewgran4
Feb 12, 2015
Where is the pattern ?????? No links or nothing--can not see details of pattern
rorabacklisa 46463 71
Jun 07, 2014
I guess I am a little confused, does the pattern not come with the instructions?
AllFreeSewing Edit or AR
Jun 09, 2014
Hello! Unfortunately the creator of this project was unable to provide a pattern to go along with the instructions. Hopefully this tutorial will help you in constructing your next dress project. Thank you & happy sewing!
GingerR
Feb 12, 2014
I found Salme Patterns. They look fantastic. There are 3 beautiful patterns for dresses with sleeves. Salme has a sale going on. Thank you Emma for bringing Salme to my attention.
GingerR
Feb 12, 2014
I like the LBD. I don't need more sewing instructions so the tutorial works for me. When I find the pattern will there be a version with sleeves? My arms look like they belong to my 66-year-old self. I would just as soon hide them. Thanks
patrix 8745643
Aug 03, 2013
Some days it just isn't worth gettin' up LUV 'GOD BLESS..He Loves u all the time
SusanWR
Aug 03, 2013
Very disappointed in this. I expected to find a pattern for a little black dress, or at least instructions on how to change up an existing pattern into something special.
notsuzy3 2980461
Aug 03, 2013
I agree with the above. I don't particularly like sleeveless dresses. How about a real tutorial for a dress appropriate for a mature woman?
connellsusanj 9686 359
Aug 03, 2013
>_< Oh Dear, this is a miss. I like tutorials that show the pattern idea from the designer as it encourages me on sewing path. Please folks, if the site is pattern making and referencing, perhaps it is time to change the format of this site.
Randy Loving
Aug 03, 2013
Disappointing waste of time. No pattern, nothing but reference to pattern and no link to pattern source. Not up to your usual good tips and patterns. Grandy
gr8escap 5025689
Feb 12, 2013
how can you call this a tutorial? if it's a tutorial, it's a shame (or sham?).
tamratoo 7953179
Feb 12, 2013
How is this a tutorial to make a dress when all it does tell you to buy a pattern and follow the directions on the pattern?
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