I finally did it — I made a dress. An actual, wearable dress. And I’m still slightly stunned because this whole adventure was a lot more dramatic than Vogue would lead you to believe.
A few months ago I decided I wanted to learn how to sew properly. I’d done the odd bit here and there, but nothing serious. So naturally, in true Suzy fashion, I thought, Let’s make a dress! You know, start small. Build confidence. That sort of thing.
Well.
Enter Vogue V9075, labelled Very Easy.
Very Easy for who, exactly?! Certainly not for a complete beginner who barely knows her way around interfacing and seam allowances. I swear that pattern packet should come with a warning: “Easy… if you already know what you’re doing.”
Choosing the pattern & getting everything wrong straight away
I chose the dress version of the pattern instead of the jumpsuit (mostly because I love anything floaty and comfy). I also decided to go long, pinafore-style, and loose. I adore looser silhouettes — hubby does not, of course. He’s forever saying he prefers me in fitted dresses, but honestly… comfort wins. Especially when you’re sewing something yourself for the first time and you don’t need the pressure of clinging fabric showing every wobble of your learning curve.
And then came the wild ride that was sizing.
The packet said 6–14, so I thought, “Oh, perfect, I’m a pretty standard 38/40.”
Nope.
I ended up cutting out the largest dimensions and it still didn’t make any sense. I’ve since learned that sewing sizes are basically a different language. In Greek. Upside down.
My fabric choices… questionable
In my head, I’d chosen an easy fabric. Something cotton-poly, nothing too slippy or dramatic. What arrived was… well, I still don’t know. What I do know is that it frayed like something possessed. Every time I cut it, it tried to escape in all directions.
Then there was the lining — a lighter colour, lighter weight, and absolute chaos. The stitches kept jumping every time I tried to sew it to itself. I’m assuming I needed a finer needle? Maybe a sacrifice to the sewing gods? A ritual under the full moon? Who knows. I’m learning as I go, and I’m actually loving that part.
As a neat freak, I struggled… a lot
One thing I didn’t expect: sewing is messy.
There’s loose thread everywhere, bits of fabric that cling to your clothes, pattern pieces fluttering around, pins multiplying like rabbits… it was like working in a tiny fabric tornado. And as someone who likes things neat and tidy, this tested my patience. I had to remind myself constantly: It only looks a disaster until the very end. And honestly, that became my mantra.
But then… it was done
I still can’t quite believe I made something from scratch that I can actually wear. In the final reveal of my YouTube video (see below), I put it on and thought, “You know what… this is pretty cute.” Completely imperfect, definitely beginner-ish, but absolutely mine. And that feels pretty magical.
Oh, and I’ve sewn a few other things too
Since I started this whole sewing adventure, I’ve made:
- two very dodgy but still wearable pairs of shorts
- two pairs of cosy fleece lounge trousers
- and a sewing machine cover I made by chopping up the old polyurethane one and using it as a template
That cover is made from camo fabric I found on Vinted — of course — and I’m actually ridiculously proud of it. It looks properly intentional, not like a beginner project at all.
What I learned
- “Very Easy” is a lie.
- Patterns do not use normal human sizing.
- Needles matter way more than I realised.
- Fabric choice can make or break your sanity.
- The mess is part of the magic.
- And I genuinely, truly love sewing.
This whole project has properly lit a spark in me. I’m buzzing for whatever comes next — maybe something witchy, maybe something floaty, maybe just something that doesn’t fray like it’s possessed. Who knows? I’ve already started hoarding fabric on Vinted (honestly, it’s becoming a bit of a situation), so I’ve got plenty to play with.
Also on my list? Knickers.
Yes, really. I’m desperate to make the perfect pair of comfy, girl-friendly boxer shorts because you’d think they’d exist… but no. Apparently comfort is optional in the world of underwear. So I’m going to make my own and finally live my best cosy life.
But for now, I’m just chuffed I made a dress.
