How to make a simple shift dress ... complete beginner ... can anyone help please?

[BorisJohnsonsHair]

I haven't done any sewing since I was at school (a long, long time ago), but I think I could manage a very simple dress pattern. I have a sewing machine, so wouldn't need to sew by hand or anything like that.

Could anyone recommend a simple (preferably) square-neck dress pattern, with or without sleeves that would be good for a beginner please? Or which pattern companies are the best/easiest to follow. Thanks for any info!

PS When i say I haven't done any sewing, I mean making clothes; have managed curtains etc since school!

I know it's not what you've asked for but, a few years ago teh Guardian published a pattern for a "Coffee date dress" which was supposed to be quite simple for beginners. I thought it looked lovely and one day I'll attempt it I'm sure if you google "guardian coffee date dress" you'd find it if interested.

Thanks Edith - that one looks nice, but I was really after a straight design, a bit like this one. I would bid for this one, but it says it goes to size 16, but is small, and as I'm a 16 I don't want to chance it.

Interested as I'd love to give dressmaking a try.

I did a very simple shift dress for my girls and have instructions for it here - I've used a round neck because I'm lazy and it's a lot easier, but you could easily adjust it to make it square...
[[http://madebyyourstruly.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/girls-shift-dress-with-zip-how-to-make-your-own-dress-with-zip-easy-and-free-tutorial/ my girls' shift dresses]
Let me know if you have any questions...

try again: I did a very simple shift dress for my girls and have instructions for it here - I've used a round neck because I'm lazy and it's a lot easier, but you could easily adjust it to make it square...
my girls' shift dresses
Let me know if you have any questions...

Flubba, thanks for that link; your girls look gorgeous in their dresses. I might give that one a go, but as a short tunic-type to wear with leggings. I may well be in need of your help before too long!

Simple tunic dresses like that for children are very easy to make (not knocking you flubba, they are beautiful .

But a dress like that for a woman with norks is a whole different ball game. If you haven't sewn for a long time I would start off simple and make some cushion covers and things first and just get back into the swing of it. Maybe a book like this woud be a good start.

A line skirt? Thus sidestepping the nork issue...

this has nothing to do with sewing as such, but the trouble with making clothes is that you have to get a long way down the road before you can try it on..... I would suggest trying on similar styles in the shops to see if it suits you before you start. Ime shift dresses only suit a select few.....

That's why I am nervous about making clothes for myself as opposed to the dc. Id never buy something I could neither try on nor return if it wasn't right and that's what you get when you make clothes (knitted or sewn) from patterns. But I'm going to try to be brave and make myself a skirt soon.

How about this

Sorry, I misread the OP as a request for help making a shift dress for kids.

I wouldn't try and make a dress for me (norks and all) :o

Another thought - you could buy the pattern that you like and trace over the size 16 in baking parchment. Then Make up the basic pieces (ignoring interfacing) in some offcut/cheap fabric so you can check the basic cut and if necessary do another baking parchment version that is a bit larger in places if you need to? Bit of a faff but would be a risk free way to.start

Another thought - you could buy the pattern that you like and trace over the size 16 in baking parchment. Then Make up the basic pieces (ignoring interfacing) in some offcut/cheap fabric so you can check the basic cut and if necessary do another baking parchment version that is a bit larger in places if you need to? Bit of a faff but would be a risk free way to.start

I like the Simplicity "Lisette" range of patterns

The designer's website is here - but you can get them on ebay pretty cheap (not the ones from Australia though) as some of them were the free gift on a sewing mag for a few months

The Continental one looks quite easy to do. I have just made a Traveller shirt dress (very Kirstie Allsopp - in my head at least) and going to do the Passport one next

The blog & forum have alot of tips/help as people have made up her dresses.

I'd also suggest you have a go first making a dress using vv cheap material (or an old bed sheet) so that you can practise and get an idea of the fit of the pattern.
Basically you have to ignore the sizes and always measure yourself and compare to the measurements on the back of the pattern sleeve. If you are in between sizes (ie 14 round bust, 16 round hips) you can then adjust when you cut out the paper so that you go from one to the other. Also check your lengths as you may have to add or take off length.

I'm a 10/12 on top and often find I have to cut a 16 for my hips, even though normally in shops I'm a 12 all over - I have learnt through bitter experience not to trust the size details and always go by the measurements.

Even if you just cut out and pin together a bed sheet version - you'll be able to see if it is long enough (don't forget hem) and wide enough.

This will save you wasting material!

I'd also suggest using a tailor or seamstress to put in any zips on a dress that you really like until you can get someone to show you how to do it. I have ruined things by cack handedly putting in a wonky zip. You may be lucky and swing a lesson from them too!