How to Make a Simple Shift Dress
Learn how to make a simple shift dress with this easy and fun sewing project. A shift dress is a classic and timeless dress that has a straight fit and no waist definition. It is perfect for any occasion and any season. You can make a simple shift dress in any length and fabric you want, and customize it with different sleeves, necklines, and embellishments. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a simple shift dress with a zipper and a lining.
What You Need
To make a simple shift dress, you will need the following materials and tools:
- Fabric of your choice. You can use any woven fabric, such as cotton, linen, denim, or wool. Quilting cotton is easy to sew and gives your dress a nice amount of stiffness. You can also use other fabrics for a different look and feel.
- Lining fabric. You can use any lightweight fabric, such as cotton, polyester, or nylon. Lining fabric adds durability and comfort to your dress and prevents the seams from showing.
- Zipper that is 1 inch shorter than the width of your fabric rectangle. You can use metal or plastic zippers, but plastic ones are easier to sew for beginners. You can also shorten a longer zipper if needed.
- Matching thread
- Sewing machine or needle
- Zipper foot and regular presser foot for your sewing machine
- Pins or sewing clips
- Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat
- Iron and ironing board
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Optional: fusible interfacing to add more structure to your fabric
How to Make a Simple Shift Dress
Follow these steps to make a simple shift dress:
Cut out the pattern for the dress body.
You will need two pieces – a front and back piece. Decide on the size you want and cut out two fabric pieces accordingly. You can use a simple shift dress pattern or use an existing shift dress as a template. Fold your fabric pieces for the dress- front and back by the middle for marking the pattern.
Cut out the pattern for the lining.
You will need two pieces – a front and back piece. Cut out two lining fabric pieces that are the same size as your outer fabric pieces.
Cut out the pattern for the sleeves.
You will need two pieces – one for each sleeve. Decide on the length and width you want and cut out two fabric pieces accordingly. You can use the same fabric as your outer fabric or a different one for contrast.
Join the outer fabric pieces (front and back) together.
Keep the front and back pieces of the outer fabric right sides together and stitch along the sides and bottom edges with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Leave the top edge open for inserting the zipper. Turn it right side out.
Join the lining fabric pieces (front and back) together.
Keep the front and back pieces of the lining fabric right sides together and stitch along the sides and bottom edges with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Leave a 3 inch gap in the bottom edge for turning later. Leave the top edge open for inserting the zipper. Do not turn it right side out.
Attach the zipper to the outer fabric.
Cut the zipper to measure 11 inches long. Make straight stitches across the zipper teeth at the bottom edge to prevent the zipper opening up completely. Keep the zipper open. Align the zipper face down on one open edge of the outer fabric, 1/2 inch up from the top edge.As you keep the zipper remember to fold the short edge to the outside as in the picture . Baste stitch in place . Repeat with the other side of the zipper.
Attach the zipper to the lining fabric.
Align the zipper face up on one open edge of the lining fabric, 1/2 inch up from the top edge.As you keep the zipper remember to fold the short edge to the inside as in the picture. Baste stitch in place. Repeat with the other side of the zipper.
Topstitch along both sides of the zipper close to the teeth using a zipper foot on your sewing machine.
Make the sleeves.
Fold each sleeve piece in half lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch along the long edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn the sleeve right side out and press it flat. Topstitch along both long edges, close to the seams.
Attach the sleeves to the dress.
Turn the dress right side out and mark the place where you want the sleeves to go. You can use the creases from folding the fabric as a guide. Pin or clip one end of a sleeve to the front of the dress, aligning the raw edges. Repeat with the other end of the sleeve and the other sleeve on the back of the dress. Stitch along the top edge of the dress, securing the sleeves in place with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Finish up the dress.
Turn the dress inside out and tuck the lining inside the outer fabric. Align the top edges of both fabrics and pin or clip in place. Stitch along the top edge of the dress, close to the zipper, using a regular presser foot on your sewing machine. Turn the dress right side out through the gap in the lining. Push out the corners and press with an iron. Hand sew or machine sew the gap in the lining closed.
Congratulations! You have made a simple shift dress!
FAQs
Q: What is a shift dress?
A: A shift dress is a dress that has a straight fit and no waist definition. It is usually knee-length or shorter and has a simple silhouette.
Q: How much fabric do I need to make a simple shift dress?
A: The amount of fabric you need depends on the size and length of your simple shift dress. You can use a simple shift dress pattern or use an existing shift dress as a template to measure the fabric. In general, you will need about 2 yards of fabric for a knee-length simple shift dress.
Q: How do I sew a zipper on a simple shift dress?
A: To sew a zipper on a simple shift dress, you will need a zipper foot and a regular presser foot for your sewing machine. You will also need to leave a gap on the top edge of one side seam of your dress to insert the zipper. You will need to attach the zipper face down on one open edge of the outer fabric, baste stitch it in place, and repeat with the other side of the zipper. Then, you will need to attach the zipper face up on one open edge of the lining fabric, baste stitch it in place, and repeat with the other side of the zipper. Then, you will need to topstitch along both sides of the zipper close to the teeth using a zipper foot.
Q: How do I make different sleeves for a simple shift dress?
A: To make different sleeves for a simple shift dress, you will need to cut out two pieces of fabric for each sleeve, according to the length and width you want. You can use different types of sleeves, such as cap sleeves, short sleeves, long sleeves, or bell sleeves. You can also add embellishments, such as ruffles, lace, or buttons to your sleeves.
Q: How do I customize my simple shift dress?
A: You can customize your simple shift dress by adding different necklines, such as round neck, v-neck, or boat neck. You can also add pockets, buttons, appliques, embroidery, or other details to your simple shift dress for more style and functionality. You can also use different fabrics, colors, and patterns for your simple shift dress to create different looks and feels.
