Hand sewing a dress (for beginners): Hand sewing a dress

Hi!

I just found my new hobby, hand sewing a dress.
I'm completely a new beginner to dressmaking.
Just succeeded to make one by sewing machine last year back home.

Now, being a nomad, I had this urge to make a dress again. But, since a sewing machine simply not practical to carry around, I dared my self to hand sew the dress. So I just did it.

Tips on hand sewing a dress for beginners:
1. Choose a simple pattern. You don't want to get discouraged on your first project.
2. Use beeswax on the threads (or if you don't have one, just use a candle wax like I did) to make the thread slippery and prevent tangles.
3. Be realistic, be patient. You are sewing by hand, so off course sometimes your stitch line is not as neat as, and not as fast as done by machine.
4. Enjoy the mobility! You could do it on the porch, on the bench in a garden while watching the kids playing, or in front of the TV, etc etc.

Here I post some pictures of my first handsewn casual dress. I used batik cloth (Mega Mendung).

Stitching method: backstitch.
You could learn this from http://vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-fcm/fcm-03.html (a very informative website on hand sewing techniques).

Material:
- Batik cloth 100x70cm, including seam allowance (for petite; other size adjustable measure)
- Black fabric for neck and arms facings
- Black thread
- Sequins

Tools:
- Measuring tape
- Tailor's Chalk/ color pencil
- Sharp needle
- Needle threader
- Sharp pins

Pictures list:
1. The simple pattern