Gored skirt
You may make a four-gored skirt. If you do, you will need a pattern. Follow the instructions on the guide sheet.
School dress
This is your first dress. Avoid set-in sleeves, collars, yokes, and gussets. Use cotton fabrics. Study the instruction sheet in your pattern and follow it as closely as you can. Know what every mark on the pattern means before you start to sew. This will make it easier for you.
Pin your cloth so it is straight. Place the pattern on the “straight of the grain” and cut with long, even strokes. Cut all the notches pointing out.
After the cloth is cut, transfer the marks onto the fabric before removing the pattern. Use a tracing wheel whenever possible. Use tailor’s tacks on white or pastel colors.
Stay-stitch around all the bias and curved edges as soon as you remove the pattern.
Remember to press as you sew. Press each seam as it is made. Pressing makes sewing easier and improves the looks of your dress.
Hem your dress on the sewing machine if it has a full gathered skirt or by hand on flared or straight skirts or on plain colored fabric. Use a matching thread.