23 Summer Dress Sewing Patterns (Rated)

October 2, 2022September 5, 2022 by Staff Writer

Today I’m sharing the best summer dress patterns I’ve found. You’ll find useful information about sizing, fabric recommendations, instructions, and “suitability for beginners” rating on a wide variety of summer dress patterns, from V-neck dresses and wrap dresses to casual knit dresses and shirred dresses.

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Contents list:

Easy dresses for beginners
Sleeveless dresses
V-neck dresses
Tunic style dresses
Shirred & gathered dresses
Wrap dresses
Pull-on kaftan dresses
Casual jersey dresses

Easy summer dresses for beginners

“Wiksten” loose shift dress

Buy now from Wiksten – $16

Sizes: US 0 – 22. Bust: 32” – 48” (81 – 122 cm).
Design: Loose-fitting shift dress with dropped shoulders. Above knee or calf length dress views. Side slits. Back gathers. Patch pockets. Waist tie. Option for short or ¾ length sleeves.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric with good drape like linen, gauze, cotton lawn, voile, viscose, or rayon.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and 36” copyshop files included.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated and photo instructions are included with the pattern.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this would be a great one for a beginner since the dress has a very simple shape. No sleeves need to be attached for the short-sleeved version.

“Wardrobe Basics Dress No. 3” kaftan-style dress (+ video)

Get the pattern and video class from Creative Bug using their FREE trial

Sizes: Small – 4XL. Bust: 32″ – 53″ (81cm – 134.5cm).
Design: Long relaxed fitting dress. V-neck. Easy-to-sew “grown-on” sleeves that are elbow-length. Plus video instructions on how to alter the pattern to include a round neck, shorter length, ruffle hem, patch pockets, contrasting cuffs, and a fabric belt.
Fabric needed: light to medium weight woven fabrics with some drape. For example, rayon/viscose for a drapey look, or soft cotton (that isn’t too stiff!) for something a little more structured.
Format: print-at-home PDF (under the video player, click the “Download” button to get the files).
Instructions included? yes, a video class on Creative Bug.
Suitable for beginners? yes. The dress is a simple design. There aren’t many pieces and “grown-on” sleeves are much easier to sew than “set-in” sleeves. It’s a loose-fitting garment so you’ll have fewer fitting challenges. And it has video instructions.

Sleeveless Summer Dresses

“Sicily” knee-length slip dress with cowl neck

Buy now from Sewing Patterns by Masin – $13

Sizes: Sizes A – J. Bust: 33” – 54” (84 – 137 cm).
Design: Bias-cut slip dress with a cowl neckline. Knee length, with wide and skinny strap options.
Fabric needed: Lightweight woven fabrics with drape, like satins, crepe, rayon / viscose, chiffon, or charmeuse.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 size. A0 copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes. There are also helpful blog posts on the Sewing Patterns By Masin website, including this one on sewing bias-cut garments.
Suitable for beginners? No. This pattern is better suited for an intermediate sewist. Although the dress has a simple design, the recommended fabrics are difficult to work with and sewing a bias-cut garment would be challenging for a beginner.

“Saltwater” simple slip dress (+ Video)

Buy now from Friday Pattern Company – $14

Sizes: US 0 – 32. Bust: 32” – 60” (81 – 152 cm). B/C and C/D cup options.
Design: Simple, pullover slip dress. Gently rounded neckline. Adjustable thin straps. Ankle length with side slits and above the knee length. Optional side ties to add some waist shaping.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics such as cotton lawn, viscose, rayon, or linen.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are included in the PDF download. There’s also a free video tutorial on Youtube.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. The dress has a simple design and no closures, making it perfect for a beginner. Choose a stable fabric to make it easier.

“Reynolds” square neck sundress with wide straps

Buy now from Helen’s Closet – $16

Sizes: US 0 – 34. Bust: 31” – 62” (78.5 – 157.5 cm).
Design: Simple A-line sundress with wide shoulder straps. Square neckline. Bust darts. Inseam pockets. Side slits.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics with no stretch, like linen, cotton gauze, cotton lawn, cotton poplin, seersucker, or Tencel.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes, a detailed, fully illustrated instruction booklet is included.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for an advanced beginner looking to learn a few new techniques like sewing slits or mitered corners. The dress has a simple design, and it comes with excellent instructions.

“Verano” tank dress with scoop neck and gathered skirt (+ Video)

Buy now from Christine Haynes – $18-20

Sizes: XS – 4XL. Bust: 32” – 57” (81 – 145 cm).
Design: Simple sundress with eight different views. Scoop neck with wide straps, optional buttoned front. Simple or multi-tiered gathered skirt. Optional front patch pocket.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric with drape, such as linen, cotton, lawn, or rayon.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included. A paper version is available here.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated and photo instructions are available with the pattern. There is also a paid video workshop for this pattern.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for an advanced beginner as the style is simple and it comes with detailed instructions. Choose a simpler view and a stable fabric to make the sewing process easier.

“N6666” New Look halter dress with back tie

Buy now from Simplicity – $3.99

Sizes: US 6 – 18. Bust: 30.5” – 40” (77.5 – 102 cm).
Design: Halter style, strappy sun dress with a large tie on the back. Mini or midi length with kick pleat. Bust darts. Elasticated back waistline.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics like chambray, linen, cotton, poplin, sateen, seersucker or gingham.
Format: Paper pattern.
Instructions included? Yes.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think an advanced beginner could have a go at this pattern. The lines of the dress are fairly simple and a stable fabric can be used.

“Billie” sleeveless dress with a flounced hem (+ video)

Get the pattern and video class from Creative Bug using their FREE trial

Sizes:
Design: Sleeveless shift dress. Bust darts. Flounced hem. Ties at the back neck. Pockets. The neck and arm holes are neatly finished using bias binding.
Fabric needed: light to medium weight woven fabrics. For a subtle flounce, choose a drapey fabric like rayon/viscose or a soft and relaxed cotton broadcloth. For a more structured look, choose a more structured fabric like cotton poplin or linen.
Format: print-at-home PDF (under the video player, click the “Download” button to get the files).
Instructions included? Yes, a video class on Creative Bug.
Suitable for beginners? I think this suits confident beginners. Flounces are cut on the bias grain of fabric, so they’re less stable and more prone to stretching out during the prep and sewing process. Making and sewing bias binding could also be frustrating for a new sewist.

V-neck summer dresses

“Orchidée” dress with deep V-neck and balloon sleeves

Buy now from Deer and Doe – €12 (approx. $12)

Sizes: EU 34 – 52. Bust: 32” – 50” (81 – 129 cm).
Design: Lined dress with deep V neckline. Wide under bust band. Bridal buttons. Statement balloon sleeves. Zipper closure. Midi dress or a blouse a view.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics like batiste, cotton voile, swiss dots, or eyelet.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are available with the pattern.
Suitable for beginners? No. This pattern is better suited to an intermediate to advanced sewist as there are some tricky details such as bridal buttons, linings, and a zipper closure.

“Cinderella” loose v-neck dress with sleeve variations

Buy now from I Am Patterns – €8.25 – €12.5 (approx. $8.25 – $12.5)

Sizes: EU 34 – 52. Bust: 30 ¾” – 44 ⅞” (78 – 114 cm).
Design: Loose fitting, swishy summer dress with V-neck. Four sleeve options: Sleeveless, short sleeves, gathered or ruffle sleeves. Dress and blouse views.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric with drape. For example, viscose, rayon, chambray, linen.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A3 and A0 copyshop file included. A paper version in sizes EU 36 – 46 is available here.
Instructions included? Yes.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. It’s a simple design, and the sleeveless view would be the easiest version to try as a beginner.

Tunic style shirt dresses

“Gallery” relaxed tunic and dress pattern with collar

Buy now from Liesl + Co. – $18.95

Sizes: US 0 – 20. Bust: 32 ½” – 46” (83 – 117 cm).
Design: Relaxed fit pull-on tunic and dress with collar. ¾ and full-length sleeve options. In seam pockets, a pleat detail on the front and the back, and a curved hem.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics with drape, like sateen, double gauze, viscose, rayon, chambray, or linen.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes.
Suitable for beginners? No. This pattern is better suited for intermediate sewists as there are some tricky details such as sewing a collar and a button band.

“Penny” vintage style shirt dress (+ Video)

Buy now from Sew Over It – £13.50 (approx. $15.50)

Sizes: UK 6 – 20 (B cup) and 18 – 30 (D cup). Bust: 31” – 57” (79 – 145 cm).
Design: Vintage style shirt dress with a sleeveless button-up bodice, flat collar, gathered shoulder panel, elasticated waist and midi-length skirt.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric with drape, like rayon, crepe, georgette, cotton lawn, cotton voile, linen, or seersucker.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are included with the pattern. A 2-part video sew-along is available on Youtube: Part 1, and Part 2. There’s also an in-depth tutorial for the button placket on this blog post.
Suitable for beginners? No. This pattern is better suited for an intermediate sewist as there are some difficult sewing techniques included such as creating a button band and fitting a collar.

Shirred and gathered summer dresses

“S9141” shirred bodice sundress with tie straps

Buy now from The Fold Line – £6 (approx. $7)

Sizes: US 4 – 20. Bust: 29.5” – 42” (75 – 107 cm).
Design: Tiered, floaty sundress with a shirred bodice. Tie straps, mini or midi length. Optional frill at the hem.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric like chambray, cotton lawn, georgette, rayon, gauze, or linen.
Format: Paper pattern in two size ranges: 4 – 12 and 12 – 20.
Instructions included? Yes.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think an adventurous beginner with some sewing skills could have a go at this pattern. The design of the dress is fairly simple, some experience with shirring and gathering would be an advantage.

“N6692” shirred dress with square neckline

Buy now from Simplicity – $3.99

Sizes: US 6 – 18. Bust: 30.5” – 40” (77.5 – 101.5 cm).
Design: Square neck dress with a shirred back panel. Wide straps and a tie at the back. Sleeveless and short puff sleeve views. Mini and ankle length skirt with a ruffled hem. Invisible zipper closure.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics like viscose, challis, rayon, cotton blends, crepe, gingham, or poplin.
Format: Paper pattern.
Instructions included? Yes.
Suitable for beginners? No. This patter is suitable for an intermediate sewist as there are a few difficult techniques involved such as shirring, fitting a paneled bodice, and installing an invisible zipper.

“Clarissa” shirred dress with statement sleeves

Buy now from Viki Sews – $9

Sizes: EU 34 – 52. 4 height groups. Bust: 31.5” – 45.5” (80 – 116 cm).
Design: Flared dress with shirred bodice and square neckline. Statement gathered sleeves with elastic casing. Midi length.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric with some body and drape like cotton, gauze, rayon, chambray, or gingham.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes, photo instructions are included.
Suitable for beginners? No. This pattern is suitable for an intermediate sewist as the shirring and elasticated sleeves require some sewing experience.

“Hinterland” scoop neck dress with button placket (+ video)

Buy now from Sew Liberated – $16

Sizes: US 0 – 34. Bust: 31” – 58.5” (79 – 147 cm).
Design: Relaxed fit, scoop neck dress with gathered skirt. Optional partial or full button placket and bust darts. Three sleeve options: sleeveless, cap, and ¾ length sleeves. Optional waist tie.
Fabric needed: Medium-weight woven fabric like cotton, chambray, denim or linen.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes. There is also a paid video workshop available here.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. This pattern is suitable for advanced beginners who want to learn how to sew darts, gathers, bias facings and in-seam pockets.

Summer wrap dresses

“Elodie” romantic wrap dress with dolman sleeves

Buy now from Closet Core Patterns – $16-20

Sizes: US 0 – 20 and 14 – 32. Bust: 31” – 60” (79 – 152.5 cm).
Design: Romantic, floaty wrap dress with bust pleats. Dolman sleeves with short and elbow length sleeve options. Above the knee, midi, and maxi length options. Optional patch pockets.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric with good drape, like linen, cotton lawn, poplin, batiste, voile, chambray, viscose, Tencel, or rayon.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included. There’s also a paper version for sizes 0 – 20.

Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are available with the pattern. There are also additional resources available on their blog.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for an advanced beginner as the style is relatively simple with no tricky fastenings. The instructions are detailed and fully illustrated.

“Eve” Wrap Dress Pattern

Buy now from Sew Over It – £13.50-17.00 (approx. $15.50-19.50)

Sizes: UK 6 – 30. Bust: 31” – 57” (79 – 145 cm).
Design: Vintage, 1970s-inspired wrap dress. Optional dipped or straight hem. Optional flutter or straight sleeves. Gathered shoulder yoke. Wrap tie closure to waist.
Fabric needed: Lightweight woven fabrics with drape, like viscose, rayon, crepe, or georgette.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included. A paper version is available for sizes 6-20.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are available with the pattern. There’s also a 3-part video-sew along on Youtube: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Suitable for beginners? No. This pattern is suitable for intermediate sewists due to the shoulder yoke detail and the nature of the flutter sleeves and dipped hem. Making the straight hem and straight sleeve version would make the process easier.

Pull-on kaftan beach dresses

“Charlie” V-neck caftan dress

Buy now from Closet Core – $16-20

Sizes: US 0 – 20 and 14 – 32. Bust: 31” – 60” (79 – 152.5 cm).
Design: Relaxed, pull-on kaftan style dress. Deep V-neck and dolman sleeves. Three style and length options. Optional waist ties. Optional pleat or gathering detail at the waist. Side slits.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight wovens such as linen, chambray, tencel, linen, silk, chiffon, rayon challis, crepe de chine, batiste and voile.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included. There’s also a paper version for sizes 0 – 20.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are included with the pattern. Additional helpful resources are available here.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for an advanced beginner as there are no tricky fastenings or sleeves to insert. A simpler view can make the process easier.

“M8212” pull-on summer dress with raglan sleeves

Buy now from Something Delightful – $3.99

Sizes: XS – 2XL. Bust: 29.5” – 48” (75 – 122 cm).
Design: Pull-on caftan dress with raglan sleeves and placket necklines. Flouncy gathered sleeve detail in two lengths. Optional dipped or straight hem. Optional belt tie. Inseam pockets. Pattern includes additional accessories.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics. For example, cotton, seersucker, gingham, linen.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern. A paper version in two size ranges is also available here.
Instructions included? Yes.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for advanced beginners as raglan sleeves are easy to sew, but the placket can be challenging for a complete beginner. Making the short-sleeved, straight hemmed version in a stable fabric would make the process easier.

Casual jersey summer dresses

“Lodo” v-neck t-shirt dress

Buy now from True Bias – $16-20

Sizes: US 0 – 18. Bust: 32” – 44.5” (81.5 – 113 cm).
Design: Simple V-neck T-shirt dress with a straight fit. Tapered hem to create a gentle cocoon shape. Dolman sleeves. Two length options: mid-calf or above knee.
Fabric needed: Medium weight stable knit fabric with an approximate 25% stretch such as ponte, double knit, and scuba.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 and US copyshop file included. There’s also a paper version.
Instructions included? Yes.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. Suitable for a confident beginner looking to get into sewing with knit fabrics. The design of the dress is simple and a stable knit fabric can be used.

“Anneli” scoop neck double front dress

Buy now from Named Clothing – €13 (approx. $13)

Sizes: US 0 – 18. Bust: 29 ⅞” – 45 ⅝” (76 – 116 cm).
Design: Straight cut, ankle length jersey dress. Tank-style scoop neck bodice with neckband. Sleeveless and short sleeve views. Double front wrap style skirt. Waist tie.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight knit fabric with some drape like viscose, bamboo, cotton, linen, or Tencel jersey.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 copyshop file included.
Instructions included? Yes.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think this would be a great pattern for an advanced beginner to try as the design is simple.

“Esma” Fit and Flare Dress

Buy now from Sew Over It – £13.50-17.00 (approx. $15.50-19.50)

Sizes: UK 6 – 30. Bust: 31” – 57” (79 – 145 cm).
Design: Classic fit and flare style jersey knit dress. Scoop neckline finished with a neckband. Gathered skirt. Short or knee-length hem variations.
Fabric needed: Light to medium weight knit fabric with some drape like viscose jersey, bamboo, French terry, cotton jersey, or Tencel jersey.
Format: Print-at-home digital pattern in A4 and US letter size. A0 copyshop file included. Optional A0 print version add-on.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are included with the pattern.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. This pattern is suitable for confident beginners wanting to advance their skills with knit fabrics. The instructions are clear and detailed.

What to read next:

This article was written by Sally Gauntlett and edited by Nisan Aktürk.

Sally Gauntlett (author)
Sally started sewing as a child. In 2008, she started a handmade business selling personalized gifts and homeware. She then became a sewing content creator, sharing her makes on Youtube and Instagram. Read more…