The Best Videos to Learn How to Sew an Easy Vintage-Style Dress (VIDEOS)

If you love vintage dresses and skirts but have a hard time finding a piece that fits well, you may want to consider sewing your own retro-style clothing. It can be surprisingly easy to sew a vintage-style skirt once you learn some basic techniques.

These videos show you how to sew a vintage-style skirt in as little as 20 minutes. Some of the examples below show you how to customize a pattern to your size and mix and match elements. The instructions can get complicated — so start with the easier projects and work your way up to more complex pieces.

Sewing blogger Gretchen Hirsch explains how to make a 50s-style skirt using a pattern with only two pieces and a lapped zipper. Depending on your fabric and button choices, the resulting skirt can be a signature piece or a subtle accent.

ArtsyfartsyAnika explains how she was able to make a vintage-style dress in less than 20 minutes. You'll need a yard or two of stretch fabric to begin (depending on your size) and ribbon for the straps. The best way to get a good fit is to trace a piece of clothing that fits you well.

A Vintage Vanity shows how to make a two-panel circle skirt. You'll also learn how to cut your own panel piece (which you can see in detail in this separate Vintage Vanity video). You can also add an elastic waistband to the skirt to secure the fit.

Simplicity Patterns and Creativebug teamed up to give detailed instructions on how to sew a gathered skirt. In this tutorial you'll learn how to sew a yoke, gathers, invisible zipper, side-seam pockets and narrow hems. The second part of the video illustrates a pattern that can be a top or a dress and includes instructions on princess seams, flat-neck facing, bias armhold facing and hand-stitched hems. 

Learn how to sew with Simplicity Patterns and Creativebug!

Professor Pincushion analyzes the elements of a classic Simplicity pattern, including using your measurements to create the right size. As part of the tutorial video, you'll learn about how to sew a bodice and bow, cape collar and more. The professor also instructs on how to mix up the elements of the pattern to create a distinctive dress.