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15 Sewing Patterns for Women's Dresses & Other Pretty Projects
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Two-Hour Summer Shift Dress

"We are deep in the middle of this hot, sticky summer, and a breezy, oversize shift dress is basically my July uniform. I sewed up this lightweight denim one in about two hours this past Sunday! Read on for a tutorial that will teach you how to sew your own simple shift dress."
Project TypeMake a Project
Time to CompleteIn an evening
Sewn byMachine
Materials List
- 2 yards of fabric (linen or lightweight denim)
- A dress that fits you well, or a paper pattern made from a dress that fits you well
- Pins, complementary thread, and a sewing machine
- Heat 'n Bond tape (or similar), iron
Read NextZoey Dress Pattern
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sheeshcalmdown
Jan 29, 2018
I keep getting a 404 error message-can't get to the page. Oh, well.

Weberme
Feb 27, 2017
Do you want something real cute and fast to wear on those summer days then check out this summer shift dress. This dress can be worn to the office, school, a stroll on the town or even to the beach. You know it will fit because you use a pre-existing dress that you own. Make your own pattern on some paper and reuse over and over. You can even make the dress longer by adding some length to what you desire or add add applique on it. a saying or even lace on the bottom. You are in control. This is a super tutorial because the pictures of steps are so clear and she has a few good tips and finishing touches.

Marilyn B
Feb 24, 2017
OH is this a nice practical go-to dress for the summer! These tips are great and will really help you to get this dress made and be out the door wearing it in no time flat! For a bit of pizzazz, add two or three huge buttons for decoration only! Thanks for sharing such great instructions! Superb!

LynM
Jan 04, 2017
There are heaps of tutorials showing how to use an existing dress to create a new pattern. But the writer of this one pops in lots of diagrams so you can clearly see what she is talking about. And she also teaches how create a nice, neat neckline by using a facing - AND - even showing how to avoid ending up with a facing that refuses to stay in place.

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