Quick and Easy Summer Dress Tutorial

Today, I have a very easy summer dress sewing pattern for you that only takes 1.4 yards (1.3 m) of fabric. 

It has a V neck front and back and gathered shoulders. The measurements I give are for size 38 European. Add half an inch (1 cm) on each side for every size larger than that.

Follow my step-by-step instructions to learn how to sew a dress for beginners and intermediate sewists.

Tools and materials: 

• 1.4 yard (1.3 m) of 59 inch (150 cm) wide silky fabric
• Fabric marker
• Ruler
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pins or fabric clips
• Iron
• Safety pin
• Sewing machine

1. Cut out the basic shape

Cut a section 47 inches (120 cm) long from the full width of your fabric.

Fold it in half lengthways with the wrong side inside and lay it down with the fold towards you.

Mark 9 inches (22 cm) up from the fold on the right edge and 9 inches (22 cm) down from the selvedges on the left edge.

Join the two points with a diagonal line and cut along it.

Reverse the further piece and place it on top of the nearer one, with the straight edge on top of the fold.

2. Shape the armholes

Trim 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the narrow end to even up the edges.

Mark 9 inches (22 cm) straight down from the narrow end on the diagonal side of the fabric.

Measure 11 inches (28 cm) across the width of the fabric from the fold.

Draw a curve to join the two lines and cut out the armhole.

Measure 46 inches (117 cm) down the folded edge and 44 inches (112 cm) along the diagonal edge.

Join the points with a slightly curved line and cut out.

3. Neckline and center seams

Measure 10 inches (24 cm) down the folded edge and mark on all layers.

Pin or clip the top two layers together along the straight edges, from the mark to the hemline.

Cut along the fold to separate the lower two layers.

Pin or clip those together in the same way.

With the right sides facing, sew the center front seam taking a half inch (1 cm) seam allowance.

Turn the neck edging on one side under twice and sew it down.

When you reach the top of the seam, turn the seam allowance on that side under in the same way and continue sewing it, following the stitching line of the neck edge.

Hem the other side of the neck edge and sew down the seam allowance in the same way.

Join the center back seam and finish the back neckline using the same method.

4. Edge the armholes

Turn in a narrow double hem around each armhole and sew it in place, easing it carefully around the curve.

Press the seams and armholes edges on the wrong side.

5. Make the shoulder casings

Draw a line across the shoulders 1.25 inches (3 cm) from the top on the right side.

Fold the fabric to the wrong side along the line and pin.

Turn under the raw edge and sew in place on the wrong side. Leave the ends open to make a 0.75 inch (1.25 cm) deep casing.

6. Sew the side seams and lower edge

Place the front and back together with the wrong sides facing.

Pin and sew the side seams together, taking a narrow seam allowance.

Turn the dress wrong side out.

Fold the side seams together along the stitching line.

Sew the seams again on the wrong side, making sure you sandwich the raw edges inside the seam.

Turn up and sew a narrow hem around the bottom of the dress.

7. Shoulder ties

Cut two strips from the remaining fabric, 18 inches (45 cm) long and 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide.

Turn under the short edges and fold both long edges towards the center.

Fold the strip in half again lengthways.

Sew the long edges together.

Use a safety pin to thread a tie from the outside in on the back shoulder casing and from the inside out on the front casing.

Gather the shoulders and tie the straps together on the outside edge.

The finished dress measures 40 inches (100 cm) around the fullest part of the bust for size 38 European and 44 inches (112 cm) long.