Start Here.

I've been looking around a bit for patterns that I think would be easier, if not easy, for beginners. Being a beginner at sewing is a delicate thing: you want to make something that won't frustrate you beyond the bounds of human tolerance, but at the same time, you want to make something that you actually WANT to wear. As I said, delicate.

This is one of those patterns that I think would be good for a beginner (it's up right now at Miss Helene's.) It's interesting without being complicated.

Here are some of my criteria for an "easy" pattern:

-- no set-in sleeves
-- simple darts (and not too many of 'em)
-- full skirt (to obviate hip/butt fitting issues; also, full skirts are more fun and harder to buy in stores)
-- pockets (duh)

If I were a beginning sewist making this for the first time, I'd do it in a big wild floral; that would make it easier to hide any bobbles in that front skirt seam. (A very textured fabric, like piqué, might work for that, too.) If I were feeling brave, I'd do a contrasting/coordinating yoke and pockets, as seen here. Maybe I'd do the yoke in black or white, if I were worried about the possibility of a bright unflattering color near my face (which, obviously, I never am, but I hear tell some people are).

Now the only thing that makes this pattern NOT ideal for beginners is that it's an unprinted pattern -- your only guidance to what piece is what would be teeny perforations on the pattern tissue. If I were starting out with this, if possible, I'd either find someone who has sewn A LOT to help me pin the pattern and cut it out, or I'd spend a good solid two hours checking and double-checking my layout to make sure I had it right. Two hours spent at the beginning often saves triple that at the end. (And prevents the project from being a "wadder" -- something you wad up and throw in the trash!)

What other criteria would you suggest for "beginner" vintage patterns?

Comments

[the_lazymilliner]

I just made a dress from an Easy McCall's pattern that's - gasp - lined!So I guess I would say don't skip a pattern just because there's another layer of fabric underneath the main one. Even if you're a beginner sewist. For my pattern, I just basically sewed two dresses and with a stitching, made them one.

[Anita]

Erin, I have thousands of 1940s to 60s patterns and I love the ones with only 3-4 pieces. Now that should be an easy component and less frustrating if you have only minimal pieces. Many of the early vintage patterns were easy, sew easy, beginner, 3 main pieces, etc.

[Bex]

I think that pattern has one trick part for beginners, though. I may be guessing wrong about the construction, but fitting the upper bodice to the lower bodice looks troublesome. After sewing for years, I still have trouble fitting the inner curve into the outer curve. I would suggest patterns where the seams are made on pieces with essentially the same shape (such as matching a front bodice to a back bodice).Cute dress, though!

[Vicki]

If only this post had come out a couple of weeks ago! After reading your blog for a while I became inspired and had to sew. I probably did a lot of things wrong for a first-time dressmaker: set in sleeves, sewing darts into super slinky fabric; not thinking about fabric layout...and on and on...I'm not discouraged though. I enjoy reading your blog for any tips and hint you may pass on.

[Ashe Mischief]

For beginners, I'd avoid patterns with buttons! Not that the button iteself is hard, but button holes can be difficult (even when the machine is making them). My first skirt with buttons required me to rip out the first button hole several times, even though I had made several practice ones on a remnant piece. I'd also suggest avoiding Vogue patterns, even if marked "Easy/Very Easy." I think ease depends a lot on the pattern company. My very first piece was a Butterick vintage inspired dress, and it was absolutely a dream to work with! Had it been a different pattern or company, I may have been very frustrated and never finished the piece.

[Rebecca]

Beware the side zip! They often turn up in vintage dresses. Once you've done a few they're not so bad, but the instructions on the package read like something translated (inexpertly) from the Chinese. If you have an experienced sewist at your elbow, ask him/her for a demonstration: much better way to learn.

[Helen]

I've only just completed my second project, and I'm trying to decide on my third - I'm afraid of buttonholes! My first project was Butterick's 6015 Walk-Away Dress - the perfect beginning project.

[Amy B.]

I think a beginning seamstress might want to look to the 60's for dress patterns rather than the 50's. Start with a simple sheath if you can. The 60's have a lot of A line sheaths that have few if any darts. Be sure to get an experienced seamstress to show you how to do a zipper and whatever you do, don't try an invisible zipper until you've done the regular ones several times. Invisibles are a bear to work with. (I'm not looking forward to putting one in my daughter's dress this weekend.)

[Jen]

About 10 years ago, I started tracing my patterns off onto 36" wide rolls of vellum paper -- any tracing paper will work -- with a Sharpie marker. What a difference! You really get to know the pattern better; you are much better able to visualize the way the pieces work together, and you don't destroy the original pattern. All the better to later sell it on Ebay!

[Summerset]

Definitely keep an eye out for the closures - be it a zipper or buttons. Either can be troublesome, but with patience (hard, for not only new sewers, but those of us who have sewn for a long time, too!) and good instructions, the results can be great. Regarding insturctions look for patterns with simple, but detailed instructions. It may be difficult for a beginner to understand some of the more complicated sewing techniques. They might not appreciate the instructions to "Insert zipper according to package instructions." found in many vintage patterns, either. Especially if the zipper has neither!

[Tara]

Although I haven't made the Walkaway Dress, I would agree with Helen that it's a great beginner project... I've been eyeing it up myself. I wanted to point out that although you can find vintage copies of this pattern--see here for a listing--it tends too be expensive (due to its history, I guess), it's still in print so you can get a brand new one for much less. Heh, in looking that up I found your previous post on that very pattern!

[Julia]

Avoid buttons in lieu of zippers. Multi-piece bodices that are fitted are really for someone with some experience. Fabric selection is really crucial I think for a successful project - I still don't like working with stretchy knits and I have tons of experience. Self-facings are easier than separate facings. I would also avoid bias designs, and those with many layers of gathers. The fewer the pattern pieces the better. Words to live by, even now. Though I can and do break all these "rules", I'm an old hand, yet still sometimes stumble. That's what seam-rippers are for. Oh, and always buying a bit more fabric than you need never hurts. If all else fails, quilt.

[Anonymous]

My first sewing project was this. http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V2902.htm?tab=vintage_vogue&page=1Lined completely, with a side zipper, velvet straps and hem border and fit to a large bust. Not an ideal beginner project. This is where a sewing coach comes in. I am blessed to have a friend who has been sewing for atleast 60 years and is kind enough to take me under her wing and help me accomplish great things. This is my only recommendation for beginners. Find someone who knows what they are doing and convince them to become your coach. It's made all the difference in the world for me!--Anna

[harthad]

About Vogue "very easy," I have to agree that may well mean "not entirely impossible." I love Vogue patterns; they fit me well and often have very good instructions. But my return to sewing after many years away was a Vogue dress that had set-in sleeves, a long back zipper, a lot of darts, and a bodice/skirt join that featured (gasp) a sharp inverted point. It was labeled "very easy." So funny, the Vogue people. I made it worse by picking poly charmeuse. So my advice to beginners: use cotton/blend fabric!

[DivaJean]

As a person of size (fat, size 24 on a good day), I just don't bother with vintage patterns, thinking I'll never find my size. I look to them for concept ideas then find modern ones that can be altered to look like what I want.

[Marjie]

After teaching my girls a little "how to sew" (doll blankets, etc.), I sent them to 4H Sewing Club. The first beginner project is a skirt, followed by a sundress or jumper, followed by a 2 piece outfit with sleeves. That's the progression I'd advise for a beginner. And: The fewer pieces the better, until you get the hang of it!

[Mcfilibuster]

I say avoid anything stretchy, at least until you get to know your sewing machine. Quilting cottons are nice, the $8 variety have served me well in the past.

[Kate]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I've been gathering information to start sewing this summer. I love vintage styles, but my modern linebacker shoulders make them hard to fit, so making my own should be better. Hopefully. =)

[Theresa]

Diva Jean - got to Born to Late - she specializes in plus size patterns and she is so nice. Most of her patterns are $7-$10. I agree the Butterick walk-a-way is GREAT for beginners. I find Simplicity to have very clear directions.

[Sisuile B]

I'd suggest starting with a skirt for a bare beginner. It gives you a chance to get to know the sewing machine without using as much time or fabric. When working with children, however, I have found a love for Simplicity's 9822, the poncho in their Sewing for Dummies line. It works really well in this season where it's not quite cold enough for (or they're really tired of) the heavy winter coat, but it's not yet warm enough for no jacket at all. Go grab it before your local store throws it out, I know it was still availble this winter, though it's no longer on simplicity's site.

[Renee]

A wrap dress with the little cap 'sleeves' is the perfect starter project ( after pj bottoms if you need a warm-up ). Only a couple darts, no buttons or zippers, easy to fit, and flattering on most. Just stay away from slippery knits or poly. A light linen or a cotton print is so easy to sew.Also, stay away from plaids (unless they're really tiny)

[pirate]

"...Two hours spent at the beginning often saves triple that at the end. (And prevents the project from being a "wadder" -- something you wad up and throw in the trash!)"In the quilting world, we call this a TOAD ... Trashed Object; Abandoned in Digust. :-)

[MadeByAmanda]

I would say the perfect beginner project is a skirt, as someone else mentioned. It is much more instant-gratification than a dress, and the investment is less. Also, short zippers tend to turn out better for me.For a dress, a wrap dress is hard to beat. No buttonholes or zippers, and the wrap style means less fitting is necessary.Everyone is warning against buttonholes, but my experience was that I dreaded them, having heard such bad things. I avoided them for so long, and in the end I found I prefer doing buttonholes to inserting zippers. So try something with a few buttonholes before you get too scared.

[LadyT]

A good, not too fitted skirt is indeed a good first project, as well as PJ pants. I also recommend tote bags to new sewers (fairly big for a purse, can carry lots of items in it, doesn't require much fabric, open at the top, an under 2 hours project for most beginners). I would say that a tote bag is not a sufficient to see is you enjoy sewing or not. But it is a great confidence-booster. As for zippers, I actually find invisible zippers WAY easier (and more attractive) than regular zippers, but that's just me.

[RachelMM]

Just a couple comments:I wanted to warn first-time sewers that in regards to vintage patterns it isn't uncommon to have to alter the bodice here and there to have the desired fit. The standard body over the years has changed quite a bit.Also, in regards to the Walk Around Dress...it is a quick and easy sew but be warned that if you have a small bust, it isn't the pattern for you. The heavy circle skirt in the back will weigh down the dress and move the shoulder seams. As a result the front is completely mis-aligned and ill-fitting. I've had several friends who have the same slight body shape make this pattern and the result was the same. All the raving reviews on the web regarding this pattern are from sewers who have the hour-glass figure that this pattern requires to keep everything in it's place. Just something to think about.