Our Top Five Summer Dress Sewing Patterns

Posted on April 25, 2025

Every year, summer seems to sneak up on me and I suddenly realise that I haven’t sewn enough dresses for the warmer weather. This time, I’m determined to get ahead. I’ve pulled together my Top Five Summer Dress Sewing Patterns to help build a stylish, handmade wardrobe ready for the (hopefully) sunny days ahead, and I thought I’d share my favourites with you, too.

Merchant and Mills • The Hattie and Ellis Dress Sewing Pattern

The Hattie & Ellis Dress Sewing Pattern from Merchant & Mills offers two subtly different dress styles in one thoughtfully designed package. Ellis features a softly shaped silhouette with bust darts, a defined waist, set-in sleeves, and practical inseam side pockets, perfect for a more tailored, feminine look. Hattie, by contrast, leans into relaxed summer dressing with a dropped waist, bold patch pockets, and a fully lined bodice.

Hattie, shown below, is a sleeveless dress, ideal for warmer weather, while Ellis features a flattering half sleeve. Both styles are finished with a softly gathered skirt, adding gentle volume and movement.

Both styles showcase Merchant & Mills’ signature modern simplicity and work wonderfully in breathable summer fabrics like cotton lawns, linens, or lightweight chambrays.

Suggested fabrics for the Hattie & Ellis Dress:

Merchant & Mills Laundered Linens • Available in a beautiful range of colours, these linen fabrics are breathable, soft, and perfect for summer sewing.
Merchant & Mills Luminaire Collection • Newly updated for this season, this collection includes some gorgeous cotton-linen blends in classic checks. You really can’t go wrong with one of these, they’re timeless and ideal for showcasing the simple lines of both Hattie and Ellis.
Atelier Brunette Cotton Poplin • Available in three lovely colours, this fabric has a slightly crisper hand and more body than linen. It gives a slightly more structured, sculptural finish to your dress, adding a refined edge to these relaxed silhouettes.

Whether you’re after something floaty and relaxed or a more tailored feel, these summer dress fabrics will help you create a version of the Hattie or Ellis that’s just right for your style.

Friday Pattern Company • Wilder Dress Sewing Pattern

The Wilder Dress by Friday Pattern Company is a stand out design with a loyal following. This tiered, flowy dress sewing pattern has become a staple in the handmade community, especially over on Instagram. With soft raglan sleeves and a gathered neckline that ties at the front, the Wilder offers a relaxed silhouette with plenty of charm.

This versatile sewing pattern can be made as a blouse or a dress, with long or short sleeves, and with one or two skirt tiers. Its modular design means it's easy to adapt to your personal style, whether you want something floaty for summer days or a layered look for cooler months. It’s beginner-friendly too, and works best in soft, drapey woven fabrics.

Suggested fabrics for the Wilder Dress:

Merchant & Mills Laundered Linens • A great choice in any shade, but I especially love the idea of a Wilder made in a natural-toned linen like Big Sur. These linens give a gently structured drape that suits the tiered silhouette beautifully.
Atelier Brunette Ekko Viscose • This beautiful two-tone print, available in Deep Charcoal or Dreamy Twilight, has a fluid drape that pairs perfectly with the Wilder’s soft, gathered design. It’s a lovely option if you're after something more lightweight and elegant.

With so many ways to make it your own, the Wilder Dress is the perfect project for summer sewing and beyond.

The Assembly Line • Drop Waist Dress & Top Sewing Pattern

The Drop Waist Dress & Top Sewing Pattern from The Assembly Line offers a beautifully simple, modern silhouette with subtle details. The pattern includes three sleeveless styles: a top, a shorter dress, and a longer dress. All versions feature soft gathers at the front neckline and a keyhole opening at the back, fastened with a delicate ribbon tie.

This style really went under the radar when it launched last summer however the silhouette of the beige colourway above is very similar the same as a lovely ready-to-wear dress that I spotted in Cos last summer.

I’m planning to sew one up in Atelier Brunette’s Cotton Poplin in Deep Charcoal, which I think will look beautifully crisp and minimal.

Suggested fabrics for the Drop Waist Dress & Top:

Atelier Brunette Cotton Poplin • This fabric has a clean, structured quality that’s ideal for the gathered neckline and drop waist shape. I’ll be using the Deep Charcoal colourway, but the Blue would also be a stunning choice—especially as it echoes the look of the La Robe Flare pattern by Atelier Brunette, which has been beautifully made in this shade.
Merchant & Mills Luminaire Collection • This updated collection includes some beautiful cotton-linen blend check fabrics that add subtle texture and depth. A perfect option if you’re after a more relaxed, everyday version of the dress or top.

This pattern is a great choice if you're looking for a sleeveless dress sewing pattern with an easy fit and understated elegance, it's perfect for warm weather layering or minimalist summer styling.

Style Arc • Sydney Designer Dress Sewing Pattern

The Sydney Dress Sewing Pattern by Style Arc is an elegant, architectural take on a summer staple. This cocoon-shaped dress features cleverly engineered panel lines that create a sculptural, modern silhouette. In-seam pockets are seamlessly integrated into the front panels, and the curved high-low hem adds subtle drama.

With grown-on sleeves and minimal finishing, it’s surprisingly straightforward to sew, making it a great choice for confident beginners and seasoned sewists alike.

Suggested fabrics for the Sydney Dress:

Merchant & Mills Laundered Linens • Soft, breathable, and available in a gorgeous array of colours, these linens are a perfect match for the Sydney’s clean lines and draped shape. They bring just the right amount of structure to highlight the dress’s design, while still feeling relaxed and effortless—ideal for summer wear.
Sevenberry Rustic Indigo Fabrics • Designed and woven in Japan, these beautiful cotton fabrics have a subtle, linen-like texture that adds depth and character. They’re midweight with a touch of structure, making them ideal for patterns that call for a more defined silhouette or architectural shape. Perfect for dresses, tops, and skirts where you want clean lines and a more tailored finish.

Birgitta Helmersson • Zero Waste Tier Dress PDF Sewing Pattern

The Zero Waste Tier Dress PDF Sewing Pattern by Birgitta Helmersson is a clever and flexible design built around the principles of zero waste cutting. It includes three modular cutting plans that can be mixed and matched to create up to four different dress variations: a short or long version with thin straps, or a short or long version with sleeves.

This beautifully considered pattern features a self-lined panel above the bust, with an A-line silhouette gathered beneath. A gathered bottom tier can be added for extra length and volume, and the sleeve option includes a gently puffed sleeve with an elasticated hem. The sleeve is hand-sewn into place after the dress is fully constructed, attaching to the strap and underarm. If you're making a strappy version, the straps will need to be cut from contrast or remnant fabric—perfect for using up scraps in your stash.

Two layout options are included, depending on the size you’re making, ensuring minimal fabric waste throughout.

Suggested fabrics for the Zero Waste Tier Dress:

Deadstock Cotton Gingham Fabrics • Lightweight and breezy, these checked ginghams are ideal for all four variations of the dress. Their airy drape works beautifully with the gathered tiers and adds a timeless, summery feel.
Merchant & Mills Eyelet Cotton Fabrics • These stunning broderie anglaise fabrics are available in two colourways and feature a vertical embroidered cutwork design repeated every 14cm. Light and breathable, they’re perfect for a more romantic version of the ZW Tier Dress. Due to the openwork design, you may want to line your dress, or simply layer it. We’ve added Black Cotton Voile, also by Merchant & Mills, to the shop as a lightweight lining option.

This pattern is not only a versatile wardrobe builder, but also a thoughtful, sustainable choice for zero waste sewing making it ideal for slow fashion lovers and creative sewists alike.

Whether you're sewing for sunny holidays, weekend lounging, or simply updating your handmade wardrobe, these five sewing patterns are versatile, stylish, and a joy to make. From modern silhouettes to breezy summer staples, each dress offers something a little different, perfect for experimenting with fabrics and finding your go-to summer look. I hope you’ve found a favourite (or two!) among this round-up. Let me know which one you’re planning to make first!