15 Dress Patterns to Sew

Love sewing and want to make your own dress? Whether you're looking to make your first garment or your fiftieth, you'll love the dress sewing patterns in this list.

There are lots of styles and size ranges to choose from, and all are from independent designers. Some are simple and perfect for everyday wear, while others are ideal for a night out or a special occasion.

Most of the patterns come as digital downloads you can print at home or take to a copy shop, and a few tutorials guide you in drafting some pattern pieces on your own.

01 of 15

Sew a Smock-Style Dress

Tilly and the Buttons

Pattern company Tilly and the Buttons proudly suggests "when in doubt, wear this!" That's because this is the kind of dress you'll want to live in. It has a smock-style look and fit, making it perfect to wear alone or over leggings or jeans, depending on how long you make it. Additionally, you can change up the sleeve length and design, or even add an optional pattern bundle that gives you more ways to make this your own.

Indigo Smock Top & Dress Digital Pattern, $15, Tilly and the Buttons
02 of 15

Draft a Dress to Sew in a Day

Simply Sewing Magazine

Instead of buying or downloading a pattern, why not draft your own? This tutorial from Gathered (originally in Simply Sewing Magazine) shows you how to use your measurements to create the pattern to make this adorable dress. The sides of this dress can wrap to either the front or the back, then tie to give your waist exactly the fit you want.

How to Make a Wrap Dress from Simply Sewing Magazine
03 of 15

Make a Summer Sun Dress

Sew Altered Style

Do you know those garments that seem to put an extra spring in your step? That's exactly what this dress and top pattern from Sew Altered Style will do! With inclusive sizing and several ways to customize your project, you can make this piece your own. It's especially nice to see how the look changes with a little more length and a belted waist.

Misty Top & Dress PDF Pattern, $13, Sew Altered Style
04 of 15

Soak Up the Sun in a Handmade Tank Dress

Sewing Rabbit

Enjoy the breeziness of this tank style trapeze dress! This free pattern from Sewing Rabbit is the perfect summer staple. It will keep you cool as you run errands but is also great for a backyard cookout. It even works well as a swim coverup!

Trapeze Tank Dress from Sewing Rabbit

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05 of 15

Mix it Up with a Reversible Dress Pattern

Sew Liberated

If you like the layered look, you will love the Reversible Metamorphic Dress! Worn one way, the sleeveless dress shows a layer under an upper layer with a high-low hem and the option of patch pockets. Worn another way, you don't see the layers and everything is one length and you can have in-seam pockets. Add even more layers by wearing a tee or a longer dress underneath or pairing it with a cardigan or leggings!

Metamorphic Dress PDF Sewing Pattern, $15, Sew Liberated
06 of 15

Sew a Dress for Every Day

Peppermint

This half-sleeve reversible dress has some elements of shirt dress but without a button front or collar. It works as a simple shift (and looks wonderful in linen), as well as with a belt. Plus you can wear it with either a V or rounded neckline. The free pattern includes five sizes designed to fit a wide range of bodies, and they include extensive instructions for printing the pattern, cutting the fabric, and assembling the dress.

Everyday Dress Pattern from Peppermint
07 of 15

Make a Mini Dress With Ruffles

Sew This Pattern

Sew this mini dress in a day! The Sienna shift dress is perfect for staying cool and looking cute in the summer. With an A-line shape and an empire waist, it's a style that looks great on most, but the real star of this dress is the sleeves. Delicate ruffles start at the empire waist before extending their width at the shoulder. That could make the armholes huge, but instead, the dress offers coverage between the ruffles, which you can finish with binding or leave raw.

Sienna Shift Dress PDF Pattern, $10, Sew This Pattern
08 of 15

Enjoy Each Day in a DIY Dress

It's Always Autumn

T-shirt dresses are a comfortable choice for every day, and this pattern from It's Always Autumn feels like an elevated version. Sewn from a stretchy knit fabric, it has an elastic waist, small t-shirt style neckbinding, and of course, pockets! This is a free pattern with downloadable pattern pieces, but it does only come in one size. If you're familiar with dress sewing and fit, you should be able to adjust the pattern to meet your needs.

The Everyday Dress Pattern & Tutorial from It's Always Autumn

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09 of 15

Create a Dress for Your Inner Dancer

Erin Little

This simple shift dress pattern includes instructions for making it as a camisole and it's likely to be a basic you'll use again and again. The bust on both has a gather that's reminiscent of a ballet leotard and there are three ways to construct the straps. As a dress, the unique hemline curves up on one side to reveal just a little bit of leg.

Ballet Top DELPY + Dress PDF Sewing Pattern, $12, Halfmoon Atelier
10 of 15

Sew a Faux-Wrap Dress

Mood Fabrics

Look to this free faux-wrap dress pattern from Mood Fabrics when you want to sew for a special occasion or simply because you want to look fabulous! Shavonne Cruz designed the Mallow Dress and originally showed it using a stretch bamboo jersey for a more casual look, but then she made one with gauze, giving it a much fancier flair. This is a simple style that will make you stand out from the crowd!

The Mallow Dress Sewing Pattern from Mood Fabrics
11 of 15

Make a Simple Holiday Dress

Liesl + Co.

When you wear this dress, you might just feel like you've stepped into a movie and are on holiday. Which should be expected with a pattern called the Cinema Dress! This easy-to-wear intermediate-level dress features a front and back yoke that you can use to show off a special print. And with different lengths, you can create several versions of what may become your favorite frock.

Digital Cinema Dress Sewing Pattern, $17, Liesl + Co.
12 of 15

Create Your Own Little Black Dress

Style Sew Me

Want to sew a good date night dress? Check out the Camryn Dress! This slim dress is like the little black dress, but you make it in any shade or fabric pattern you like. With a deep V in the front, this design is sexy while still providing coverage. The PDF includes versions that you can send to a copy shop or print at home, including instructions for printing and assembling the pattern pieces. Additionally, you get access to a helpful video for making the garment.

Camryn Dress Pattern, $10, Style Sew Me Patterns

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13 of 15

Sew a Stunning Special Occasion Dress

Cashmerette

Cashmerette specializes in sewing patterns for women with curves and each style is more flattering than the last. The Upton Dress has a fit and flare design that would be perfect for a special occasion, but also good for more everyday wear. The downloadable PDF includes options for different necklines, backs, and skirt styling, and you can also purchase an expansion to add three styles of sleeves.

Upton Dress Pattern, $16, Cashmerette
14 of 15

Easily Nurse in a Two-Piece Dress

Tricia Jones

When you're nursing a little one, not all dresses are ideal, but this one is designed with new moms in mind! Working with cotton jersey fabric ensures that the dress is soft and stretchy for extra comfort. And the two-piece design, although not providing full coverage, allows access for nursing.

Two-Piece Nursing Dress Pattern & Tutorial from Pretty Prudent
15 of 15

Make a Swing Dress in Many Styles

MadeIt Patterns

The Groove Dress by MadeIt Patterns is a simple dress with versatile options. At its heart, this is a simple swing dress, but with just one pattern you can create enough versions to fill your closet! There are several size ranges to choose from, including kids, teen, and adult sizing, but beyond that, you can change up the hemline, sleeves, and neckline, including a cowl or a hood.

Groove Dress PDF Sewing Pattern, $13, MakeIt Patterns