Course Description

I'm thrilled to share my newest Sew Along, How to Design & Sew a Little Black Dress (LBD).

Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast at Tiffany's), put the Little Black Dress on the fashion 'map'. And as Christian Dior said ' You can wear black at any time. You may wear it on almost any occasion. A 'little black dress (LBD) is essential to a woman's wardrobe'.

Loved throughout time...and perfect for so many different occasions. The LBD dates back centuries to 1861 during Queen Victoria's reign. When her beloved husband Albert passed away, she wore black for the remainder of her life. Queen's, princesses, actresses and us common folk alike, have worn the LBD throughout the ages. And over the centuries, the LBD has taken on so many different incantations from shockingly short, to ankle length, with and without sleeves and modest to plunging necklines. The beauty of the Little Black Dress is that it can take on so many characteristics to suit the personality of the wearer.

Join me, Glenda the Good Stitch, in this 19 Lesson sew along, as I show you the Sure-Fit Designs version of our LBD. Discover how to design and sew a perfect little black dress that is customized to your own body's measurements in this pattern drafting and sewing course from Sure Fit Designs.

This course will be available 24/7 for your lifetime. There is no expiry date and you can begin at your leisure. The video lessons are all ready to view when it is convenient for you.

When purchasing and checking out, you'll see that only a 'PayPal' button is available. PayPal offers a Guest Service option which allows you to pay with the credit card of your choice even if you don't have a PayPal account. Just click on the initial PayPal button, then when the next screen opens up you'll see something like 'Choose a way to pay' or their Guest Checkout Service'. Click on that then follow the prompts.

Let me know what you think of the course. And remember, I'm here if you have any questions!

Join me,
Glenda the Good Stitch - Sure Fit Designs


Glenda Sparling

Glenda's background includes 10 years as a Home Economics educator, plus 36 years in the sewing industry. Glenda has traveled extensively in the USA, Canada, Australia, N.Z., and Great Britain showing home seamstresses the ease of achieving excellent pattern fit with the Sure-Fit Designs™ system of pattern fitting and designing. She has authored numerous articles, pattern fitting, designing, fabric embellishment and machine embroidery books for the benefit of home seamstresses worldwide. She has been featured in sewing forums and shows throughout the USA and Australia and is recognized as a leading educator in the sewing industry.

Course curriculum

  • 2

    Lesson 2: The Little Black Dress - Drawing the Bodice Front pattern

    • Lesson 2: The Little Black Dress - Drawing the Bodice Front pattern

    • Video Lesson #2 - LBD Drawing the Bodice Front

  • 3

    Lesson 3: The Little Black Dress - Drawing the Bodice Back pattern

    • Lesson 3: The Little Black Dress - Drawing the Bodice Back pattern

    • Video Lesson #3 - LBD Drawing the Bodice Back

  • 4

    Lesson 4: The Little Black Dress - Drawing the Front & Back Skirt patterns

    • Lesson 4: The Little Black Dress - Drawing the Front & Back Skirt patterns

    • Video Lesson #4 - LBD Drawing Skirt Front And Back patterns

  • 5

    Lesson 5: The Little Black Dress - Designing the Bodice Front-Part 1

    • Lesson 5: The Little Black Dress - Designing the Bodice Front-Part 1

    • Video Lesson #5 - LBD Designing the Bodice Front-Part 1

  • 6

    Lesson 6: The Little Black Dress - Adding the Skirt to Bodice Front-Part 2

    • Lesson 6: The Little Black Dress - Adding the Skirt to Bodice Front-Part 2

    • Video Lesson #6 - LBD Adding the Skirt to Bodice Front-Part 2

  • 7

    Lesson 7: The Little Black Dress - Joining the Bodice Back and Skirt Back together

  • 8

    Lesson 8: The Little Black Dress - Designing the Optional Hem Flounce

    • Lesson 8: The Little Black Dress - Designing the Optional Hem Flounce

    • Video Lesson #8 - LBD Designing the Optional Hem Flounce

  • 9

    Lesson 9: The Little Black Dress - Drawing the Optional Belt pattern

    • Lesson 9: The Little Black Dress - Drawing the Optional Belt pattern

    • Video Lesson #9 - LBD Drawing the Optional Belt pattern

  • 10

    Lesson 10: The Little Black Dress - Layout, Cutting & Marking

    • Lesson 10: The Little Black Dress - Layout, Cutting & Marking

    • Video Lesson #10 - LBD Layout, Cutting & Marking

  • 11

    Lesson 11: The Little Black Dress - Stabilizing Curves & Seam Finishing

    • Lesson 11: The Little Black Dress - Stabilizing Curves & Seam Finishing

    • Video Lesson #11 - LBD Stabilizing Curves & Seam Finishing

  • 12

    Lesson 12: The Little Black Dress - Sewing the Darts & Pressing

    • Lesson 12: The Little Black Dress - Sewing the Darts & Pressing

    • Video Lesson #12 - LBD - Sewing the Darts & Pressing

  • 13

    Lesson 13: The Little Black Dress - Sewing the Invisible Zipper & Side Seams

    • Lesson 13: The Little Black Dress - Sewing the Invisible Zipper & Side Seams

    • Video Lesson #13 - LBD Sewing the Invisible Zipper & Side Seams

  • 14

    Lesson 14: The Little Black Dress - Sewing the Optional Hem Flounce

  • 15

    Lesson 15: The Little Black Dress - Lining Preparation-Part 1

    • Lesson 15: The Little Black Dress - Lining Preparation-Part 1

    • Video Lesson #15 - LBD Lining Preparation-Part 1

  • 16

    Lesson 16: The Little Black Dress - Lining Insertion-Part 2

    • Lesson 16: The Little Black Dress - Lining Insertion-Part 2

    • Video Lesson #16 - LBD Lining Insertion-Part 2

  • 17

    Lesson 17: The Little Black Dress - Finishing the Lining-Part 3

    • Lesson 17: The Little Black Dress - Finishing the Lining-Part 3

    • Video Lesson #17 - LBD Finishing the Lining-Part 3

  • 18

    Lesson 18: The Little Black Dress - Optional Belt Construction-Part 1

    • Lesson 18: The Little Black Dress - Optional Belt Construction-Part 1

    • Video Lesson #18 - LBD Optional Belt Construction-Part 1

  • 19

    Lesson 19: The Little Black Dress - Sewing the Belt Buttons & Buttonholes-Part 2

    • Lesson 19: The Little Black Dress - Sewing the Belt Buttons & Buttonholes-Part 2

    • Video Lesson #19 - LBD Sewing the Belt Buttons & Buttonholes-Part 2

Reviews

5 star rating

Fantastic Teaching!

Andrea Phillips

I really enjoyed this course. I find the pace to be balanced, not too fast and not too slow. I especially enjoyed making the flounce pattern and the butto...

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I really enjoyed this course. I find the pace to be balanced, not too fast and not too slow. I especially enjoyed making the flounce pattern and the button technique. Now I feel confident to sew my little ? dress, whatever color it maybe. Attaching the lining portion was so simply explained and the shoulder seams, which can be tricky in a fully lined dress, were explained in such a way that novice can do it.

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5 star rating

Excellent Teaching

Cheryl Chamberlain

Glenda is very detailed in her explanations and has wonderful video photos to be able to see what she is doing. Many prefer the lining to match the dress, ...

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Glenda is very detailed in her explanations and has wonderful video photos to be able to see what she is doing. Many prefer the lining to match the dress, but at times it was difficult to see the details. I found it good to watch the video chapter then go back and follow as she went. Even though I've been sewing since a young girl, Glenda had a few tricks she shared which I will use again. I will be making this dress again with different design details ( a jewel neckline and a pencil skirt shape are not correct for my body shape. ) I didn't taper the skirt and I like the look of my LBD. I can take the construction techniques and apply to any LBD. This is the first LBD that was so easy to sew, lined, and had a fit that was to my body measurements. PS There was a little print dress in the background, that was done it looked like without the darts. A cotton fabric? How did you do the waist gathers? I don't remember any reference to it. I thought I would like to do this dress in a Batik cotton with a cotton lining.

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5 star rating

LBD

Denisa Mitterova

Lessons are very detailed. I like the most the lining insertion. Thank you

Lessons are very detailed. I like the most the lining insertion. Thank you

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5 star rating

The Little Black Dress

Charlene Bayard

It was a great and wonderful experience to work along with Glenda. Learned a lot about attaching the lining to a garment as well as the importance of ironing...

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It was a great and wonderful experience to work along with Glenda. Learned a lot about attaching the lining to a garment as well as the importance of ironing as you go along. Was worth every penny. Thank you Glenda.

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5 star rating

Simply AMAZING

Carol Eades

It was my intention to watch this course completely before sewing along. The experience was like reading an intriguing novel, couldn't put it down. Glinda's ...

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It was my intention to watch this course completely before sewing along. The experience was like reading an intriguing novel, couldn't put it down. Glinda's attention to detai is amazing. Her explanation and demonstration at every facet was incredible. I can't wait to sew a muslin to check the fit, as I have lost a few pounds and inches since drawing my first blueprint. Thanks Glinda. Carol Eades

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5 star rating

Little Black Dress

Nancy Dublin

Love your instructions, presentation, and details! Just starting and plan to take more instructional videos online. Thanks for offering your knowledge and "...

Read More

Love your instructions, presentation, and details! Just starting and plan to take more instructional videos online. Thanks for offering your knowledge and "perfect" fitting ways to sew one's own clothes! Five Star Rating!

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5 star rating

Simply AMAZING

Carol Eades

It was my intention to watch this course completely before sewing along. The experience was like reading an intriguing novel, couldn't put it down. Glenda's ...

Read More

It was my intention to watch this course completely before sewing along. The experience was like reading an intriguing novel, couldn't put it down. Glenda's attention to detail is amazing. Her explanation and demonstration at every facet was incredible. I can't wait to sew a muslin to check the fit, as I have lost a few pounds and inches since drawing my first blueprint. Thanks Glenda. Carol Eades

Read Less
5 star rating

Excellent !

Cindy Dunlop

From the time I started watching this video, I felt like I was right in class with Glenda. She has such a calm confident way of explaining the processes inv...

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From the time I started watching this video, I felt like I was right in class with Glenda. She has such a calm confident way of explaining the processes involved to achieve a beautiful, professional finished garment . I found this course very well organized and loved that Glenda's instructions not only tell you WHAT to do, but always with timely explanations as to WHY. I am not new to sewing but am new to garment construction. I picked up a few tips along the way that can be applied to other future garments. I would recommend this course not only to experienced sewers but also to beginners. It is clear, concise and the video placed perfectly so that you are able to see exactly what is being taught. I also love that I can always access this course in case I need a refresher. Thanks so much for the inspiration Glenda!

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5 star rating

The Little Black Dress

Patricia Buis

Can't do without Glenda. She makes pattern drafting look so easy. However, it is not easy. It is just easy because Glenda knows how to get the message acr...

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Can't do without Glenda. She makes pattern drafting look so easy. However, it is not easy. It is just easy because Glenda knows how to get the message across. She is an EXCELLENT teacher. Pat Buis Tennessee

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5 star rating

The Little Black Dress Sew Along

Sandra Parratt

This is the first Sew Along I have watched and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As always, very clear instructions .....and I was particularly pleased to learn abou...

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This is the first Sew Along I have watched and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As always, very clear instructions .....and I was particularly pleased to learn about lining a dress, very informative.

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