Sew Dresses and More

Sewing easy sewing stitches is the best way for beginners to get started. There are often times when machine sewn projects also need some hand sewing done. Once mastered each sewing stitch can add to the beauty when you sew dresses, make a sewing tote or add to any other handmade ideas.

Here is an excellent chart I found from Britannica Online Encyclopedia. If you need further instructions on how to perform these sewing stitches, I added some sewing directions below.

Running stitch is made of up and down stitches of equal length. When finished, take needle through to other side and run under the stitches on the wrong side of the fabric for 3 to 4 stitches. This stitch is used to sew seams, as a gathering stitch, when quilting and is great for outlining in decorative thread.

Hemming stitch is made by beginning the stitch inside the fabric that is folded down and taking a few threads from the outer fabric, then bring the needle back up through the edge of the fold. This stitch is mainly used when hemming any sewing project.

Basting stitch is similar to the running stitch in that is is made of up an down stitches, however, the basting stitch is made with long stitches and can be made without knotting the thread so it can be easily taken out. The basting stitch is used to hold two or more pieces of fabric together, usually so that the fabrics do not shift while stitching the permanent stitches.

Catch stitch, also known as the Herringbone stitch, is worked making a diagonal stitch from left to right across the fold, turn the needle to the left and make a small stitch in the fabric from right to left, bring the needle out and up towards the right to the folded fabric (forming an X with the thread), then with the needle still turned to the left, make a small stitch in the fabric from right to left. Continue making small stitches from right to left but crossing over the previous stitching to form an X. This is another stitch used to hem sewing projects or to securely attach something like handles to a sewing tote.

Slip stitch is made by bringing the needle out from the fold of the hem, hiding the knotted end in the fold, pick up a few threads of the outside fabric and then sticking needle into the fold and sliding it along the inside of the fold, bring the needle back out and continue across in this fashion. This stitch is another hem stitch.

Back stitch is made by bringing the needle up from the back of the fabric, stitch back to the right and bring the needle back up to the left leaving a space between where the needle comes up and the beginning of the last stitch, continue across repeating these steps. The back stitch is the strongest hand stitch and is made to imitate machine sewing and as an outline stitch in decorative stitching.

Overcast stitch is made by making diagonal stitches over the raw edge of the fabric. The stitches should be the same length and equally spaced. Overcast stitches are used to prevent the fabric from fraying. The length of the stitch should be related to how badly the fabric will fray.

Invisible stitch is made in between the two fabrics, taking a few threads from the top fabric and then a few threads from the bottom fabric. This is used to draw two edges together invisibly for projects that have two edges that have been turned under, such as lining when sewing dresses and suits, sewing on an applique.

There is no doubt that even if you plan to only sew dresses by machine, that you will find many times that you will sew stitches like these to add beauty to your finished project. Practiced often you will be sewing easy each sewing stitch.

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Have you every worked hard to sew dresses or other patterns to find the finished article just didn’t fit right or just didn’t look good on you? For me it has always been my wide shoulders, many years ago it was also my small waist and small bust, which are long gone now.

Recently a friend asked me if I could give her daughter sewing lessons. After a few lessons making simple craft projects to get her used to her machine, we ventured on to a pattern for a top. She worked hard and put together a very nice top which, of course, we had to alter along the way. I realized most patterns I have ever worked with have had to be altered to fit correctly. Sometimes that was due to the choice of pattern style but most times it was because the way the pattern sizes were proportioned.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know how to alter patterns so that you don’t have to remake them along the way? I have picked up some tips and tricks that have worked for me during the 40 some odd years I have been sewing that may help other sewers along the way. So I thought I would share some of these with anyone who stumbles along this site.

So here is one of the most helpful tips I have found to help you sew dresses and other patterns as my first tip.

TIP #1 is to try on the paper pattern before cutting it out. Ok, so you can’t really try it on completely but you can try it half way on. This often is enough to save some of the bigger alterations and often a lot of heartaches. To do this, cut the pattern pieces apart and pin them together along the seam lines and also pin any darts. Hold the half dress/top/pants up to yourself or a dress form to make sure it fits properly. You will be able to see areas that are too big or too small and see how much you will need to adjust at that point. If you make those alterations before you cut, you will save yourself some of the frustrations when you sew dresses, or whatever the project is, together.

I hope you find this tip to be helpful. As I run across other helpful sites, I will post to those also. Other sites or books will also be highlighted to give you other helpful information on how to sew dresses and more that fit and flatter you. Be sure and check back often for new tips and tricks I will be adding in the near future. In the mean time, happy sewing!

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