7 Dress Styles for Sewing Inspiration

If you’ve ever gone shopping for hours and couldn’t find the dress of your dreams, have you ever considered making it from scratch? Choosing the perfect fabric, cut, and fit for your dress can be a magical process that rewards you with a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. In line with this, Bustle has some tips to get you started on dressmaking if you’re a total beginner as well as relevant advice no matter what your current skill level is. For some inspiration, check out these seven dress styles from retailers that you can base your creations on:

1. A wrap dress

There’s nothing like a wrap dress to flatter your figure and give you that coveted hourglass shape. A great example is Reformation’s Calabra wrap dress in red that’s the perfect pick for date night. It’s made out of a stretchy Tencel/spandex blend for ultimate comfort and comes with a sweetheart neckline. When you’re making a wrap dress, don’t forget to make sure that your waist tie closure is long enough.

2. A maxi dress

If you’re looking for a versatile piece that you can wear during the day and at night, a maxi dress is effortlessly chic. The Rixo printed maxi dress is a prime example, with billowing sleeves, a plunging neckline, and two front slits for ease of movement. If you’re looking for something to wear to the beach, a linen or cotton white maxi dress is your best bet, especially against a sun-kissed tan.

3. A flowy patterned dress

If you’re new to sewing dresses, it’s probably best to start with a loose-fitting dress that doesn’t have a lot of bits and pieces. Take inspiration from the diverse range of dresses by Woman Within that come in colorful florals, fun polka dots, and geometric patterns. If you’re into vintage clothing, you can try finding novelty vintage prints that pair perfectly with a classic red lip.

4. A halter dress

Jonathan Simkhai’s satin halter-neck slip dress is the perfect balance between sleek and edgy. If you want to show off your shoulders and decolletage, a dress with a halter neck is the ideal style for you. As a bonus, you can make the halter part detachable by adding a button closure as well as spaghetti straps for more support.

5. A shirt dress

Staud’s floor-length khaki shirt dress is quickly becoming famous for its place in Megan Markle’s closet. To steal her style, all you need is some lightweight khaki fabric, a row of simple buttons, and an optional utilitarian belt to cinch in that waist. Whether you’re going on safari in Africa or taking a walk in the park, a shirt dress is the perfect everyday basic.

6. A tiered tunic dress

If you’re looking for something flirty but easy to wear, Anthropologie’s Estelle tunic dress comes with a conservative neckline and romantic frills that are perfect to dance in. Pair it with some white sneakers to run some errands, or dress it up with a reliable pair of heels for date night.

7. An evening gown or wedding dress

Finally, if you’re feeling ambitious and up for the challenge, there’s nothing like sewing your own evening gown or even a wedding dress for that special occasion. Just take a look at the DIY wedding dress by Shauna that amazingly cost under $300 and took around 40 hours to make. It’s definitely something you’ll treasure forever. Paragraph No matter what type of dress you plan on making, don’t get discouraged when something goes wrong. Remember to start with something simple and work your way up!