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No Pattern Sweat Shirt Dress Tutorial

02/22/2013

sweatshirt dress
NO PATTERN SWEAT DRESS TUTORIAL
I love sewing with knits and often, I don’t even use a pattern.
Knits are forgiving.
I will just trace something I own or draw my measurements right on to my fabric, eliminating the pattern tracing or making step.
Pattern making is a chore and this dress is easy to make without one!
This dress is made from sweatshirt fabric and has a ribbed cotton neckband and waist band.

 I added some metal trim to give this dress an 80’s vibe.
To make this dress you need
  • About a yard of 60 inch sweatshirt fabric
  • About 1/3 yard cotton ribbing for the waistband and neck band
  • A double needle for hemming the sleeves and skirt.
  • A ruler and something to draw on the WRONG side of your fabric.

I hope you don’t mind my sketches.

Just a glimpse into the inner machinations of my mind……
As Patrick on an old Sponge Bob Square Pants episode said….
Fold your sweatshirt fabric in half.
You will need to trace a well fitting tank top folded in half,onto the wrong side of the fabric on the fold.
Extend the sleeves like in the drawing above to create a dolman sleeve. 
You can also make the top a little wider like the drawing shows.

Now draw your skirt onto the folded sweatshirt fabric.
Make the 1/4 skirt cutting line from on the fold and draw out 1/4 of the hip measurement at the hip.
Measure up about 7 inches to draw the waistline. Taper the waistline in a little.
Cut out the half skirt piece and trace around it to make one more identical for the back.

You will need to make a ribbed cotton neckband and waistband.
Cut a two inch wide strip of ribbing 2 inches shorter than the measurement around the neckline you cut.
Sew the ends of the ribbing together. Then fold it in half and iron it along the fold.
Pin it to the neckline and sew it on.
Make the waistband inset.
Cut a piece of ribbing 6 inches long and the width of your waist.
Sew it together at the ends,
Sew the top to the top edge and then the skirt to the bottom edge.
Use your double needle on your machine to hem the sleeves and the skirt.
Linked up at The Train To Crazy

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Related posts:

Default ThumbnailA line skirt pattern tutorial: New and improved version. Ribbed Neckline Tutorial – Lady T Shirt Pattern From 1976 Gathered skirt tutorial Vintage Pillowcase Dress Pattern & Tutorial
-McKenzie

Filed Under: My designs, Sewing for myself, Sewing Tutorial, Uncategorized

About Justine

You made it to the end of the post! Please stop by often for a variety of sewing projects, clothes making tips , and stylish handmade living. Feel free to email me at justine @ sewcountrychick.com if you have questions.

Comments

  1. Sew Blessed Maw says

    02/22/2013 at 3:36 am

    Really cute dress.. Smart idea..

  2. brandi says

    02/22/2013 at 3:51 am

    I can barely sew a straight line…this is very cool!

  3. Nikell says

    02/22/2013 at 3:52 am

    That dress looks super comfy!

  4. Stef says

    02/22/2013 at 5:01 am

    This is really cute, Justine! Love the 80s vibe and you are looking good!!!!

  5. Cindy says

    02/22/2013 at 1:14 pm

    Looks great, Justine! I love comfy dresses like this.:)

  6. MammaNene says

    02/23/2013 at 7:27 am

    I love this idea, really inspiring!
    I’m following you on GFC because you sew the same way I often do: no pattern needed!
    If you want, come to see my brand new sewing/serging blog and, if you like what you see, follow me back!
    Tx a lot,
    MammaNene from

    SergerPepper.blogspot.it

  7. DeniseAngela says

    02/24/2013 at 12:09 am

    So pretty on you Justine & love the pink & black!

    Denise
    http://sewcoco.blogspot.ca/

  8. Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom says

    02/28/2013 at 3:23 pm

    I love this! It is totally my style!
    ~Jamie

  9. Sara Glascock says

    09/13/2013 at 10:32 pm

    This looks really easy!



I'm Justine! Welcome to my sewing blog! Here you'll find lots of handmade clothing for myself and other lucky folks! I'm a native Los Angeleno who moved to a small farm outside of LA with my family.

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