Oh boy, do I have a treat for you all today. Feast your eyes on this gorgeous African dress pattern. And by pattern, I don’t just mean the cool geometric design (although that’s awesome too), I mean you can actually make this dress yourself for FREE. Yes, you read that right. FREE. Just imagine strolling down the streets in this beauty and when someone compliments you on your dress, you can proudly say “Oh, thanks, I made it myself.”
But wait, there’s more!
Not only is there a dress pattern, there’s also a wrap skirt pattern included in this freebie. So, whether you’re feeling like twirling in a dress or sashaying in a skirt, you’ve got options galore. And can we just talk about how amazing this model looks in the dress? I mean, I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t look like that when I’m wearing a dress. Maybe it’s because I’m not wearing an African dress pattern that was made with love and care by moi.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Now, before you start getting all giddy and cutting up your fabric willy-nilly, make sure you’ve got all the things you need. You’ll need fabric (duh), a sewing machine (or a needle and thread if you’re feeling hardcore), scissors, pins, and a measuring tape. Oh, and patience. Lots and lots of patience. Sewing is not for the faint of heart. But hey, if you can make it through this project, you can make it through anything. Life lessons, people.
Instructions, coming right up!
First things first, download the free patterns here. Take some time to admire how pretty they are. Then, print them out in A4 or letter size paper. Make sure to follow the instructions on how to put them together, so you don’t end up with a jumbled mess.
Next up, measure yourself. This is very important. You don’t want to end up making a dress that’s too tight or too loose or too short or too long. We’re going for a Goldilocks vibe here, people. Just right. Once you’ve got your measurements, refer to the size chart on the pattern to know which size to cut.
Now comes the fun part (or the scary part, depending on your sewing skills). Cut out your fabric according to the pattern pieces. Make sure to follow the grainline and direction of the fabric. Don’t be like me and mess this up, unless you want a wonky dress that looks like it’s been through a tornado.
Time to sew!
Finally, we’re at the part where we get to use our sewing machine (or our needle and thread, if we’re going old school). Refer to the instructions on the pattern on how to sew each piece together. Don’t rush this part, take your time and make sure your seams are straight and even. We want our dress to look professional (or at least not like it was sewn by a 5-year-old).
After sewing all the pieces together, it’s time to try on your dress. Ask a friend or family member to help you out, because we all know how tricky it is to zip or button up our own clothes at the back. Look in the mirror and admire your handiwork. If it looks good, pat yourself on the back. If not, don’t despair. Just take it apart and sew it again. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a dress.
And that’s it, folks!
Now you have a brand new dress (or skirt) that you made yourself. Think of all the money you saved by not buying one at a store. Think of all the compliments you’ll get. Think of how proud you’ll feel every time you wear it. And if someone asks you where you got it from, just give them a knowing smile and say “Oh, this old thing? I made it.”
Happy sewing, my friends!
