Novice needs help!!

[mooliebear]

Hello:)

I have recentley purchased a sewing machine and i am very much enjoying playing around with it but i am after some advice!
I have got some dress patterns that i am going to try to make for my Dds but i am unsure what material to use, they are basic shift dresses, nothing fancy.
Do i go for 100% cotton or poly cotton?
Do i need to wash the fabric before i make the dresses?
What are the stiches called that finish the dress off undeneath where you have cut it, just so it looks neat

Thank you:o

I think the usual advice is 100% cotton you have to wash, poly ottos not so necessary but I always wash and iron fabrics b4 cutting out. I have used both to make dresses. Not sure what you are asking about underneath- are you talking about overlooking as you can zigzag raw edges or use an overlock stitch, or use French seams to encase raw edges. Hope this helps

This might help you... I wrote these a couple of weeks ago

How to use a paper pattern and how to sew it up

Thank you for the advice and links:)

Yes the raw edges is what i meant, i am very bad at explaining things!!
I have a zigzag on my machine, so will give it a try. I have got 100% cotton at the moment but it just seems really thick, i will wash then give it a go.

I have a paper pattern so i will follow this link, you make it look so easy!

you might as well just use basic polycotton - it's cheaper and is almost as good as 100% cotton.
and if it doesn't work out, you haven't wasted your money (as much... )

Finish your seams with zig-zag stitches if yo udon't have an overlocker. (you can either zig-zag around each piece, near to the edge, or you can zig-zag exposed seams when you've finished - i usually wait till the end, because you have to snip some seams on the curves.)

what make are your patterns?
some manufacturers (especially Simplicity) tell you what to do step-by-step (and I still use them to work out the order, even if I don't follow the instructions exactly)