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I’ve been feeling like I really want to wear more dresses as the weather gets warmer, and I also want to sew more dresses, so I decided to make a collection of easy dress sewing patterns for summer so all of us can enjoy not wearing pants for a while.
Shift Dress Sewing Patterns
A good shift dress may be my favorite kind of easy dress pattern for summer. They’re easy to sew and easy to wear, and depending on the length they don’t take a lot of fabric.
The Tulip Dress from Sewing Habit Patterns is a great example. This dress hits just above the knee and has a gentle scoop neck in the front and a more dramatic neckline in the back for extra coolness. The pattern comes in nine sizes, from Xs to 5XL, and includes a full video tutorial to make it easy even if you’ve never sewn a garment before.
Ann Normandy Patterns has another cute linen shift dress with pockets and a V-neck front and square neckline on the back. You can wear it either way, though, if you’d rather have the high neck in the front and the V on the back. It has sizes from XS to 2X, and though she has it rated for intermediate sewists, the neckline is the only tricky bit.
Leanne Barlow’s off the shoulder dress is a tutorial, not a pattern, but all the pieces are simple shapes and she explains how to measure. You can make yours longer if you like or leave it short. It uses elastic to make the ruffle and hold the dress up around your shoulders.
This shift dress — the Camille shift dress from Made By Laur — is a little flouncier than the others, perfect for a beach day or going out to dinner. It has a flared silhouette that is tampered with ties. It comes in Australian sizes 6-20 (the Internet tells me subtract 2 for American sizes, so around size 4-18).
Tiered Dress Sewing Patterns
Tiered dresses are so much fun to wear, and the Nova Midi Dress from StyleArc includes an above the knee version and a longer version. It’s a sleeveless, loose fitting dress made from woven fabric that’s quick to sew and fun to wear. The pattern includes 14 sizes, ranging from a bust measurement of 33 to 61 inches/86 to 155 cm.
Another super cute tired dress in woven fabric is the Bardon Dress from Peppermint Magazine, which is slightly more fitted in the bodice thanks to some darts and hits just below the knee. This one also has pockets! It comes in 12 sizes, for busts ranging from 31 to 53 inches (74 to 129 cm) with plenty of ease to keep it casual. They have a pay what you can model to support their designs.
Tiered dresses also give you an opportunity to mix and match fabric, as shown on the Priya dress from Tammy Handmade Studio. This version is shown with sleeves, but you can also make it sleeveless. You can also make it different lengths. The pattern includes sizes 6-32.
My Golden Thimble has a cute sleeveless tired dress you can make in any length you like. The pattern is graded for one size, around a 40 inch/101.5 cm chest, but it’s easy to adjust if you need. It also includes tips for making the dress a different length and how you should cut the tiers to make it look right if you design your own.
Smock Dress Sewing Patterns
I’m always attracted to easy dress sewing patterns that are smock dresses, but I’ve never made one. Maybe it’s time to change that.
The Liston smock dress from TRAMA Pattern Studio is a classic that looks really easy to sew. It comes in sizes 4 to 22, is made for lightweight fabrics and features cap sleeves and pockets.
A similar dress with more of a T-shirt feel is the Loose Dress from Sewing Patterns Market. This one has slightly longer, but still short sleeves, and also includes pockets and a crew neck shape. It has a keyhole closure on the back and comes in eight sizes from XS to 4XL.
Looking for a sleeveless smock? The midi smock linen dress from DEMIR Patterns is a cute and easy option. It has a relaxed fit and pockets and is sized from 2-30.
And for a totally different look, how about a one-shouldered smock dress? This design from Tisimiwi also has tiers (and a tie at the shoulder) but the fit is like a smock dress so I’m including it here. Whatever you call it, you’re sure to want to stitch it up. The pattern includes four sizes and there’s a video tutorial to help you along.
Tunic Style Dress Patterns
I am a huge fan of the coastal grandma aesthetic (though I neither live near the coast or am a grandma) and this dress is serving that to me. The Micah Caftan Dress from Seamwork is a loose fitting, V-neck dress that’s a midi or maxi length with side slits and short sleeves. It has sizing from 0 to 26, for busts measuring 33 to 54 inches/86 to 137 cm. Note that the pattern has a deep V-neck that has been raised in the images; there’s also an option to add a panel so the neck isn’t as deep.
Speaking of caftans, they’re about as simple as you can get because they are made from two long rectangles. By Hand London has a nice tutorial with an optional waist tie. You can also just wear it loose for a classic boho look and skip the fiddly casing bit.
Tunic style dresses are great for beginners, and the Stevie from Tilly and the Buttons has a lot of cute options. You can make it a top or a dress, cuff the sleeves or not, and add a wee patch pocket. There are also a couple of closure options for the dress. The pattern has 15 sizes from a bust measurement of 30 to 60 inches/76 to 152.5 cm.
I also love the Cileo top and dress from Closet Core Patterns, which has options to be a semi-cropped top or dress, with long or short sleeves and with or without pockets in the dress. It’s available in sizes ranging from a 31 to 60 inch bust (that’s 79 to 152.5 cm).
Maxi Summer Dress Sewing Patterns
I love a good maxi dress any time of year, and these maxi dress sewing patterns are perfect for summer.
Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom has a great summer lounge dress that is sleeveless and tiered. It can be made maxi length or shorter by leaving off the bottom tier. I love the little tie on the back that adjusts the straps and the neckline. The pattern has two sizes but they’re quite generous so should fit a range of bodies.
The simple maxi dress from Melly Sews is definitely going on my to-stitch list. This is a variation on her Bias Sundress (which is also really cute!) made longer and with a loose waist and different neckline. And those patch pockets! So cute. It’s more of a tutorial than a pattern but it should be pretty easy to pull together. I love the tip in this one that your hem needs to be as big around as you are tall so that you can walk easily. So smart.
A maxi wrap dress is the ultimate in comfort, and you can make one with this pattern from It’s Always Autumn. This one is made with knit fabric, and it only comes in one size (for a women’s size large/38 inch/96.5 cm bust) but if you have a purchased dress or another pattern you like you can probably use that as a model to adjust for your size if needed.
If you don’t want to figure it out on your own, try the Jasmine Wrap Dress from Pattern Apothecary. This one has an open front and can be made to mini, midi or maxi lengths, with long or short sleeves. This one uses woven fabric and includes size 4-24.
More Easy Dress Sewing Patterns for Summer
So Sew Easy’s Fit and Flare Dress is a staple that you’ll want to make again and again. It uses knit fabric and has facings for extra stability in the scoop neckline, along with short sleeves. It comes in sizes to fit a 31 to 48 inch bust (that’s 78.75 to 122 cm) and is a free pattern. It includes written instructions and a video tutorial.
A t-shirt style dress is my favorite to sew, and I’ve made them based off my favorite shirts before. If you want a little more guidance, the Laundry Day Tee from Love Notions is a great pattern using knit fabric. You can make it a T-shirt, tunic or dress length, with a straight or high-low hem, and with a crew, cowl of V-neck. So many options you’ll turn to this basic again and again. It comes in sizes XS to 5X.
If you’re interested in reducing the waste involved in sewing, DIY Daisy has a tutorial for the Maya dress, which uses your measurements for the pieces. The body is two big rectangles, with the sleeves also being rectangles (resulting in fun ruffles) and the bodices just have a little neckline cut out of their rectangles.
Have a tank top you love? Use it as a pattern to make a tank top dress with this tutorial from Life Sew Savory. She also has a basic tank top pattern you can use and other tank-style dress patterns if you’d like a gathered waist or other style options.
