So, the holidays were rolling around again, and I got that itch, you know? The one where you feel like making something instead of buying. I decided I wanted a new dress, something specifically for the festive season, made by me.
First thing, I had to figure out what I actually wanted to make. Didn’t want anything too complicated. Comfort is key, especially during the holidays with all the eating! I thought about a simple shape, something easy to wear but still looking a bit special. Poked around my box of patterns and sketched a little. Settled on a sort of sheath dress idea with long sleeves – practical for the colder weather.
Next, I headed out to get the materials. I already had a color in mind, maybe a deep red or a forest green. Found this lovely burgundy corduroy fabric. It felt sturdy but soft, and had a nice texture that felt right for winter. Grabbed matching thread, a decent zipper, and a bit of interfacing for the neckline and cuffs. Always good to gather everything before starting.
Okay, back home. First job, always, is washing the fabric. You never skip this step, trust me. Learned that lesson the hard way with things shrinking after they were made. Once it was washed and dried, I spent some time ironing it really well. Corduroy needs a good press. Then I laid the fabric out flat on my big table, pinned the pattern pieces down carefully, and started cutting. Took my time with the scissors to get clean edges.
Putting it Together
With all the pieces cut, I finally sat down at my sewing machine. Started with the basics: sewing the darts in the front and back bodice pieces to give it some shape. Then I joined the shoulder seams, followed by the side seams. Seeing the main body come together is always a good feeling.
- Sewed the shoulder seams.
- Stitched the side seams of the bodice and skirt part.
- Attached the sleeves – setting in sleeves smoothly always takes concentration.
- Put in the back zipper. I prefer invisible zippers, they just look cleaner. Took a couple of tries to get it sitting flat, but got there.
The Final Touches
Almost done! I attached the facing to the neckline for a neat finish inside. Then I hemmed the bottom and the sleeves. I decided on a simple turned hem, stitched by machine. Nothing fancy, just clean and tidy. The last step was giving the whole dress a really good press, paying attention to the seams to make them sit flat. It makes such a difference to the finished look.
And there it was! My holidays dress. I held it up, looked it over. Felt pretty pleased with myself. Tried it on, did a little twirl. It fit just how I wanted. The burgundy corduroy felt cozy and looked quite smart, I thought. It wasn’t couture, you know, just a simple dress. But I made it. Ready for those family gatherings and festive meals. Job done, and ready for the holidays.
