3 Easy Dress Patterns for Beginners: You Can Create a Unique Dress Too

If you’ve ever wanted to create a unique dress but felt intimidated by the process, don’t worry—you don’t need to be an expert seamstress to make something beautiful. At Right Side Out, we love empowering other women to embrace their creativity. Sewing your own dress is a great way to do just that. Here are three beginner-friendly dress patterns that we think are perfect for those just starting out.

1. Simplicity 9010
With only six pieces to cut and sew, this pattern is a great way to dip your toes into dressmaking. This dress uses elastic at the waist, so there’s no need to fuss with zippers or buttons. The loose-fitting silhouette is forgiving, so even if your seams aren’t perfect, the dress will still look great. This pattern is readily available at fabric stores and online, making it a convenient choice for your first sewing project.

2. Simplicity 9739
Wrap dresses are a staple for many reasons—they’re flattering, versatile, and, most importantly for beginners, easy to make! This pattern involves one main piece of fabric and a couple of strips for the ties. There are no zippers or buttons, and not even elastic to install! While the pattern suggests using various light to medium fabrics, we recommend sticking with lightweight materials to avoid any bunching at the waist. This vintage-inspired design has been reissued recently, so you can easily find it at fabric stores and online.

3. Butterick 4919
This dress is oh so glamorous! While it's a bit more complicated -- it does include a zipper -- , the overall construction is still beginner-friendly. It consists of just 5-6 pieces. The ties wrap and synch slightly at the waist, making the fit more forgiving. This pattern comes from the early 2000s, so is difficult to find new, but is widely available on platforms like eBay and Etsy. It's still easy to get your hands on and might be cheaper since you're buying it used.

Sewing your own dress can be incredibly rewarding, and these patterns are a great starting point. Not only will you create a one-of-a-kind piece, but you’ll also gain confidence in your sewing skills along the way. We’re all about helping you create stylish, lasting pieces—whether you’re designing them yourself or working with us to bring your vision to life. Happy sewing!