Friday 17 April 2009

My first ever tutorial - Reversible A Line dress

There are so many tutorials that people have posted to their blogs and I thought I would join in. I love making this reversible A Line dress as it doesn't take any time at all and it looks lovely on, but each time I do it, I always have to stop and re-think how to do it. So, not only am I hoping that this will be useful for others, but it will also be useful for myself!





I use New Look pattern 6578 for this dress, but anything similar would do. I think, depending on how talented (or brave) you are, you could also easily draft your own.



I use the 3 size from this pattern, which has been fine during the winter as Cara has been wearing the dresses over leggings. However, if she were to wear it on it's own (as I am hoping in the Summer), it is possibly a little short. I therefore decided to add a little to the length. In the end, I added 6cms (it wasn't calculated scientifically - just a rough guess!)

So, pattern selected, you only need the front and back pieces. Nothing else. You now need to cut two front pieces from each piece of fabric and two back pieces.

Two front pieces - one from each piece of fabric:


Two back pieces - one from each piece of fabric:


You now need to take the two back pieces and place them right sides together. Pin and sew where shown on the photo (the red line)


Turn in the right way and press where you have just sewn.


You now need to do exactly the same, but for the front. Place the two front pieces right side together and sew where shown (red line on photo)


Again, turn in the right way and press and then do your button holes.


You now need to sew the front pieces to the back pieces. To do this, lay each piece out lengthways - you have to sort of fold down the part you have just sewn and then it will lay out. Place the fabric right side together, but so that you have one of the patterns on the left side and the other pattern on the right hand side:


Your next step is to sew the two pieces together. Starting on one side, sew the entire length of the dress (red line on the photo) - take care where you move from one dress to the other, because the better you match the seams up, the neater the finished article will look.


You can now turn your dress the right way and you should be able to see it clearly taking shape.

You now need to press and pin your hem. If you made your original pattern longer (as I did) then you can take the time to try it on and measure it properly. Obviously, the more time you take with the pressing and pinning of the hem, the neater the match between the two fabrics you can get. When you sew it, you need to try and get as close to the bottom of the hem as possible. Once you have done this, you can top sew it if you choose (I don't).

All that's left now is to sew on your buttons. Work out where they need to go and then sew two on back to back on each strap.

That should be it (fingers crossed!)




Here is my finished one being modelled (whilst bouncing on the bed!)


25 comments:

  1. cracking me up...I have the same pattern and I cut out fabric Wednesday night to make this weekend. I too am making it reversible. Thanks for doing the hard work for me. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. oops, used the wrong profile... http://pinkptunias.typepad.com. I will post pics once I finish mine. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So, it doesn't like you use interfacing like the pattern suggests. Is that right? I love your tutorial. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Jennifer, that's right - no interfacing. I'm glad you like the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just fund your blog, such a helpful tutorial! I've been making these dresses for a while (different pattern though) and you've taught me a new way of looking at them, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for this tutorial! It's exactly what I've been looking for. Your dress and your model are both adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just wanted to follow up on my comment above and say that I made this dress last night, and it turned out even better than I thought it would, which is saying a lot. I found the instructions on Thursday, was very excited, and started working on it last night at around 9:15 after my kids went to bed. In just over an hour, the dress was nearly done. I just have to go out today and get the buttons. I almost woke up my daughter just so I could have her try it on so I could get the hem right :-). This is amazing! I can't wait to buy more fabric so I can make more. My daughter will be wearing these year-round. Thank you again!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for this tutorial! Now I need that pattern because I really like the shape of it! Or, maybe I'll just be brave and try one on my own :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the tutorial! It was hugely helpful!! I made the dress and posted pictures here. http://braxandkim.blogspot.com/2010/01/resolution.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love that this method is actually *easier* than doing it one sided. I have never sewn anything so quickly - and it's adorable! Thanks for this! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I Have a question about the fold when you are getting ready to sew the back to the front. How exactly are you folding the fabric?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Jancey - do you mean the hem part? If so, I just fold one side of the fabric under and press it with a steam iron. I then repeat for the other side, trying to line it up as close as possible to the one just done. I then sew it as close to the bottom as possible. Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for your reply I am actually talking about the part where you sew both dresses together (the entire length of the dress on both sides. You said that you kind of have to fold down the parts where you have already sewed. I was wondering exactly what you mean by this??? Thanks so much

    ReplyDelete
  14. You have to have the side parts of both dresses together, but if you leave the top part - which you have just sewn (the part with the straps/button holes) - up, you won't be able to. When you lay the dresses out, so you have one on top of the other, simply fold over the part you've already sewn, so it is inside where you are sewing. It's probably easier to do it than to describe it!

    If you look at the photo for this step, you can see in the middle that the dress isn't laying flat - this is because the strap part has been folded under and is in the middle inside.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm going to attempt my first reversible dress this weekend! Thanks for the clear directions and photos!

    ReplyDelete
  16. oK I am probably a complete idiot, but I am to the step right before you turn the dress right side out and I cannot turn it right side out. I am completely confused!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Lola, if you've sewn along the red line (with the right sides of the fabric on the inside facing each other), you should just be able to flip it so that the right side of the fabric is on the outside. When you flip it, where you have just sewn will kind of hang down in the middle - just turn the bits you have just sewn in the right way (you might need something to poke the corners fully out)

    Hope this helps a little.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I know you posted this tutorial a(really) long time ago, but I had to send you a huge THANK YOU! I come from a long line of great seamstresses and I've just begun trying my hand at clothes...for the grandkids. :) After days of searching for a tutorial that made sense to me I came across yours. I just finished my first reversible dress and for a newbie, I am rather proud! I could NOT have done it without your help! I kept the pics up and referred to them a LOT. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. hi there
    ive just bought this pattern & am going 2 make it one-sided as im brand new to sewing! i noticed on one of the above comments, you didnt use the interface pieces, do i need 2 if only one-sided?? also did you cut notches etc.?? your assistance would be gretly appreciated.
    cheers
    shell

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have been looking for a pattern like this for MONTHS! Thanks! Found you on pinterest.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I never thought to make it two sided. I just bought this pattern and fabric today and am planning to make it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I just finished 2 dresses for sisters! I had some trouble w/the sewing together part, but once I figured it out it was easy! Thanks for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the fabrics you've chosen, really lovely. Great dress.
    Thanks for the tutorial, very useful.

    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just found this, I think your dress is brilliant, and thanks very much for the tutorial, I've just bought this pattern for my great niece.
    Love Jill

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is wonderful!! I just made this today and it turned out so nice!! You made this so easy!!! Thank you so much!!

    ReplyDelete