How to sew a dress

Get the FIRST DAY DRESS PATTERN here:

You guys have asked again and again "show us how to make a dress!" So here we go! A simple, girl's dress, with a lining. But don't let that scare you. It might sound complicated, but it's easier than you think. Yay! For this video we're using one of the most popular patterns from my site--- the First Day Dress, which can be sewn as a shirt, as a dress, with sleeves, with a twirly skirt option. So many looks! Feel free to use any pattern you have, or make your own pattern and follow along with the steps! Let's get started.

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SEWING MACHINE RECOMMENDS:
My current sewing machine is a Baby Lock BRILLIANT. If you're looking to buy a good entry level machine, I love many machines in this series called JOY, ZEAL, and JUBILANT. You can purchase and read some reviews on this site (they are out of stock on some of them due to the pandemic and everyone sewing masks, but hopefully they will have more soon!):

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FABRIC AND SUPPLIES:

• Get WHITE Elastic cord here:

• Get BLACK Elastic cord here:
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Visit my website:

[mchellemm]

Thank you so much for the amazingly clear and detailed pattern and video. I just finished this dress for my granddaughter and it’s beautiful. I’m 52 years old and this is the first garment I’ve ever sewn since learning to sew a couple of months ago! I’m so proud of myself right now!

[BethsMom]

I just made this dress today for Easter for my daughter. It looks so good. The lining really adds an element of polish. As a new sewer I’m very proud of myself.

[trishelmsly]

I love this pattern.❤️ brought it yesterday and made a size 6 yrs, today I'm making a size 7, just for the extra room.
I did a little trick my mum taught me with the elastic cord and that is to tape the loop together before you insert it in between the fabric pieces as this keeps the loop together, works a treat.
Still a newbie after 20 plus years of sewing so watched this video over and over. I nailed it. 😁

[tamz]

I love this!!! I think I will try this in flannel. It will be super cute paired with a turtle neck and tights for my 6 year old.

[TheBibliophagist]

Love it, thanks Dana! I'm a novice sewer, but your videos make it so easy to follow along and now I have something else to make for my 6mo girl! 😊

[carinamatei]

I love how you explain everything!!! So calm and without hurry. And very clear. I am a total beginner with sewing and I cannot wait to try a lot of the things you made. Thanks a lot!!!

[lurindaras]

I'm making the peplum swing dress that forms part of the pattern for the 5th time now! I watch this video everytime. Thank you again. So helpful. My friends go gaga for the tops my daughter are wearing

[mirjamkluijver]

So cute! For educational purposes it might be better to use a slightly darker lining fabric next time as your table and sewing machine are all so white too!

[liessaspeck]

My project this weekend :) I was saying - "Wow! Such a smart, great teacher!", my daughter - "She looks like Elsa!" Thank you for a great pattern and teaching video!

[nakitabrennen]

I loved this video! Thank you so much. I would love it if you could do a small video on how to attach the sleeve when working with a lining. It make it so much easier for us novice sewers. Thanks again for all the awesome videos!

[gracebock]

I'll b 66 this yr n I've never really sewn much except for some half-completed sch sewing work.As I watch u teaching n demonstrating how easy it is to sew that dress, my heart was thumping fast n I visualise myself actually making a homemade dress for my 1yr old granddaughter.Still thinking abt it n hope to make it a beautiful wearable reality!

[lisamariemonahan]

Hello from Pflugerville! :D I can't tell you how much I appreciate this tutorial. I was following a pattern yesterday that did an extremely poor job of explaining the back of the dress slit and cord concept. I spent hours trying to understand what they were saying, and eventually just gave up. This tutorial made COMPLETE sense, and I thank you so much for it! Happy sewing. :)

[yarntaxi]

Thank for this brilliant pattern and tutorial...I am primarily a quilter who makes dresses for charity on the side. This pattern eliminated all the skills I am challenged on: bias binding, gathering, and buttonholes. It is a win-win for me. Thank you 😊

[kellydempsey]

I love your tutorials, you take out any anxieties around sewing, you make it seem so easy which made me feel so comfortable trying more and more detailed projects like this dress for my daughters. You inspire me to keep sewing, cant wait to see more videos, keep up the great work 👏 🥰

[jillianm]

your videos have helped me SO much! i just started sewing my kids clothes and your videos are so much better than others out there! they are easy to follow and are so helpful! Love your fabric too!!! Thank you so much!

[thefunsistersloveforeverch]

hi I'm 9 years old almost 10 and I really really really like sewing but I don'y have my own stuff for sewing so my mom said that I will get it very soon:)

[aidahitharia]

Wow, lovely. I just made my daughter a beautiful dress thanks to your guidance. Good job.

[oMissSmileyo]

How funny! I just made my first a couple of weeks ago and sat down tonight to make my second and this popped up! Love this pattern. Thank you so much!! 💛 Now I'm going to watch the video and make sure I've been doing it properly 😆

[marlyorodriguez]

I Luv❤️ this baby’s dress 👗 I
Totally want to make this for my grand

[katherineann]

This was a great video to learn from. I just started sewing and finally got a sewing machine to make things easier and very excited to try this.