This really simple, versatile dress looks great in a variety of fabrics and can be dressed up or down for almost any occasion!

  1. Measure:
    • Shoulder to shoulder + 6″ for wiggle room; this will be the width of fabric
    • Shoulder to thigh or fingertips + 2″ for curves; double this measurement for the length of fabric
  2. Fold right sides together. This folded piece should now measure your original width and length
  3. Mark center of fabric on the fold, then 2 1/2″ down. Line plate up with marking. Check measurements on sides to make sure it’s even. Trace plate with fabric chalk. Cut. If you have one, a rotary tool works best for cutting the neckline because its a smooth continuous cut, but you can use fabric scissors if you don’t have one. Make sure to use a cutting mat if using a rotary tool!
  4. Measure arm holes, 7″ down on each side from the fold. Mark with pin. Pin sides down to bottom. The proper way to insert your pins is horizontally, not vertically; that way you can run a straight stitch continuously without removing the pins. To be safest you should remove pins, because failure to do so may cause breakage of your needle.
  5. Sew straight stitch. From the pin marking the armhole to bottom on both sides. Always use the back stitch. Starting on the first pin you marked approximately 7″ from fold, 1/4″ in from the sides which is approximately the width of a standard foot.

The key to this dress is non-fray material. Good choices are jersey, lycra, stretch knit, felts, and most flannels. You can check the already cut end of the bolt you are purchasing to see if the fabric is non-fray. You also need to use a needle designed for stretch fabric, and make sure to check your tension on a small swatch of the fabric to make sure the stitch is clean.

Turn your fabric right side out and you’re done! Be sure to snip your threads. Because we have used a back stitch (which is the U shaped button on most machines) it locks in the thread when starting and stopping your stitch so there is no need to tie off any ends. You can simply snip the loose threads close to the material!