How to Pattern a Simple Shift Dress

A shift dress is a key wardrobe staple that you should have in any woman’s closet. It can be styled with multiple looks and pairs well with many shoes. This blog article discusses how to make an easy shift dress pattern that will help you update your wardrobe while still staying within budget.

Intro to Pattern

If you’re looking to add a little bit of pattern to your wardrobe, there are a few different ways to go about it. One way is to simply wear separates, like blouses and skirts. Another is to use blocks or shapes as your foundation, like a V-neck T-shirt and pencil skirt. Then, you can mix and match them together in various ways to get the look you desire.

In this tutorial, we’ll be showing how to pattern a simple shift dress. This style can be easily adapted to any body type and can be worn with anything from heels to flats. The key thing to keep in mind when patterning a shift dress is that the shape should be versatile enough that it can be worn with multiple looks.

What is the Pattern of a Simple Shift Dress?

A shift dress is a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down. The pattern consists of two separate pieces: the bodice and the skirt. The bodice is a fitted piece with a neckline and waistband. The skirt is a floor-length piece that falls straight down. To make it more versatile, you can add different hem lengths to create different looks.

To start, select an appropriate fabric for your shift dress. You can choose something light and airy for warmer weather, or something heavier for colder months. Cut out the pattern pieces and trace them onto the fabric using a tailor’s tracing paper or a water-soluble pencil. Use a ruler and tailor’s T-bar to ensure accurate measurements.

Next, cut out the pieces of fabric according to your traced pattern lines. Be sure to keep the seams even and press them before assembling the dress. Assemble the bodice by sewing the sides together, then fitting it around your body and pinning it in place. Sew the neckline and waistband shut using thread that matches your garment’s fabric color.

Now it’s time to sew the skirt to the bodice. Begin by hemming one end of the skirt according to your desired length, then fit it over top of the bodice so that it overlaps by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Pin in place, then sew along the edge using a straight stitch or zigzag stitch depending on your machine’s capabilities.

Cutting Patterns

There are a few steps that you need to take in order to pattern a shift dress. The first step is to draw out your outline of the dress on paper. Once you have your outline, you can begin cutting out your pieces. You will need four pieces for the front, back, skirt, and bodice.

To make the shift dress look more finished, you will also need to add banding around the waist and sleeves. To do this, start by cutting a strip of fabric about 4 inches wide and long enough to go around your waist twice. Then cut another strip about 2 inches wide and long enough to go around each sleeve once. Sew the strips together along one edge, making sure that they are perpendicular to each other. Now press the seam open. Repeat these steps for the other three pieces of your dress: skirt, bodice, and back.

Sewing Patterns

If you’re new to sewing, or want to learn how to sew a basic shift dress, this pattern is perfect for you! It’s simple, has a comfortable fit, and can be made in a variety of fabrics. Plus, it can be easily adapted to create different styles.

To begin, print out the PDF pattern below and cut out the pieces. You will need one front and one back piece (A and B), as well as two side pieces (C and D). Then, follow the instructions below to sew the pieces together.

Front Piece: Sew A to B at the shoulder seams. Leave an opening of about 2 inches on each end so you can turn it right side out.

Back Piece: Sew A to B at the back neckline seam. Again, leave an opening at each end so that it can turn right side out. Then press these seams open. Note: The bottom edge of the back should lie even with the hem of your garment when worn – see image 1 below for reference.

Side Pieces: Sew C to D at both sides of opening left from step 3 above. Make sure that these seam allowances line up perfectly when assembled – see image 2 below for reference. This will ensure that your dress looks symmetrical when finished! Finally, press these seams open as well.

How to Alter and Alterations

There are a few ways to alter a shift dress. You can shortened or lengthen the dress by cutting off or adding length, respectively. You can also change the shape of the dress by altering the neckline, hem, and fit.

Another way to change the look of a shift dress is to add contrast fabric to it. This can be done by adding a panel of fabric in front of or behind the zipper, or by using contrasting fabrics on different parts of the dress.

Conclusion

If you have never drafted before, don’t worry- this tutorial is designed for beginners. Before we get started, make sure that you have a copy of our free pattern download available so that you can follow along easily.