10 easy and free dress patterns for beginners
Are you looking for a rewarding and fulfilling experience that offers a range of benefits beyond just having new clothes to wear? Then look no further than our round-up of beginner dress sewing patterns and start sewing!
Sewing your own clothes gives you the freedom to customise the fit, style and fabric choices according to your preferences, ensuring a perfect garment tailored to your body. We've chosen 10 of our favourite easy dress patterns to sew - with something for everyone!
Sewing your own clothes using our choice of free sewing dress patterns can help you improve your sewing skills and techniques, making you more proficient in garment construction over time - the more you sew the better you will get!
Plus, sewing your own clothes can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience that offers a range of benefits - including contributing to sustainability by reducing waste from fast fashion and creating garments that are made to last.
Pattern practice
If you're still new to the world of sewing patterns, take a look at our guides on how to read a sewing pattern and how to use a sewing pattern.
10 of our favourite free dress patterns
1. The DIY Wrap Dress
Learn how to make a custom-fit, multi-way wrap around dress in a day with Portia Lawrie’s DIY wrap dress pattern tutorial. If you're looking for beginner dress sewing patterns then this is the pattern for you, as it doesn't use a traditional paper pattern and instead shows you how to make a dress that perfectly fits your own measurements.
- Head to our step-by-step wrap dress sewing tutorial on Gathered
2. The Infinity Wrap Dress
This clever multi-style infinity wrap dress makes party dressing a doddle. With a multitude of configurations giving you lots of different looks, this free dress pattern will see you through many parties!
- Take a closer look at the infinity wrap dress sewing pattern on Gathered
3. The Halter Dress
Learn how to make a colour block halter dress with this free pattern from Karoline Dahrling-Hughes.
This is a beginner-friendly free summer dress pattern – where you will learn how to sew with jersey, stitch with lightweight scarf fabrics, draft your own pattern and work with elastic and lace.
- Head to the free halter dress sewing pattern on Gathered
4. The Maxi Dress Pattern
Style up your summer wardrobe with this long and breezy dress designed by Portia Laurie. It's a great beginner dress sewing pattern as there's no paper pattern necessary and the design is largely constructed from rectangles of fabric which are easily adjusted to accommodate your size.
- Get the free pattern and tutorial for the maxi dress sewing pattern.
5. The Bridgerton Dress
If you are obsessed with a certain Regency-era drama, The Bridgerton Dress free pattern is the one for you! The puff sleeves and square neckline may not be for everybody, but it's perfect for those with a preference for period dramas.
- You can download the free Bridgerton dress sewing pattern from Mood Sewciety.
6. Make a jersey fabric Maxi dress
If you like the idea of a long maxi dress but are after one that's a bit more casual, then we've got another fabulous free pattern for you to try. This easy dress pattern is made using jersey fabric which gives you a nice level of stretch, and as you'll base the pattern on a T-shirt that fits you there won't be any problems with getting the right size.
- Head to the free maxi dress sewing pattern on Gathered
7. The Noor Wrap Dress
We love this easy dress pattern from The Thread. This wrap dress looks great in any colour and is ideal for any occasion, from fancy dinners to casual weekends.
Their version of the iconic wrap dress has long slightly puffed sleeves, gathered skirt and pretty ribbon ties.
- Get your free Noor wrap dress sewing pattern from The Thread.
8. How to make a shirred dress
Discover the art of shirring with our complete beginner's guide! Learn what shirring is, how to use shirring elastic, and follow our step-by-step tutorial to sew the perfect summer shirred dress.
- Give it a try with our how to do shirring tutorial and free dress pattern on Gathered.
9. Girls dress sewing pattern
It's not all about the adults, we've also got fabulous free beginner dress sewing patterns for the little ones in your life too! This girls dress sewing pattern can be made to fit from ages 3 months up to 2 years, and will look fabulous made in your favourite print fabrics.
- Find the free girls dress sewing pattern on Gathered
10. The Jodie Jumper Dress
Happy days! Our Jodie Jumper sewing pattern, as featured in issue 50 of Simply Sewing magazine can be made as a dress too in sizes 6-20 (US 4-18/EUR 34-48). As it's made using medium-weight sweater, fleece or ponte roma fabric it's ideal for cooler autumn days.
- Find out more and download the free Jodie jumper dress sewing pattern
Stuck with your sewing?
If you find yourself stuck with a stitch, or just want a refresher, find everything you'll ever need in our complete guide to sewing.
10 beginner dress sewing pattern from the Gathered shop
Whether you haven't quite found the dress you're looking for, or just fancy filling your whole wardrobe with me-made dresses, there's plenty more to choose from in the Gathered shop. Here's some of our favourite beginner dress sewing patterns, all available at a reasonable price.
1. Alice Dress Sewing Pattern
Sewing with stretchy knit fabrics can be a bit daunting for beginners, so if you're wanting to take that step, the Alice dress is the perfect pattern to start with. It features a faux-wrap bodice for stylish layering and optional skirt and sleeve lengths. It looks super-classy in a single colour, but also works brilliantly in printed fabrics too.
- Check out the Alice dress sewing pattern on the Gathered shop
2. Chloe Dress Sewing Pattern
When it comes to summer dresses that you can relax and be yourself in, the Chloe dress is one that will easily fit into your everyday outfit rotation. Use light-to medium-weight knit fabrics with at least 30% stretch to keep it effortlessly casual.
- Find the Chloe dress sewing pattern in the Gathered shop
3. Vivian Dress Sewing Pattern
If you're looking for beginner dress sewing patterns that push your skills, then the Vivian dress is perfect for you. Described as being for an 'advanced beginner', it's a versatile dress that looks fab made in light-weight fabrics with a bit of drape, such as cotton or rayon. There's also options to add long sleeves and a waist tie too!
- Take a close look at the Vivian dress sewing pattern in the Gathered shop
4. Solana Dress Sewing Pattern
The Solana dress is an easy dress pattern that can be made 3 ways thanks to it's optional sleeve and skirt lengths. Featuring a loose fit and gathered skirt, it's ideal for any occasion, from heading on holiday or just popping to the shops.
- Which version of the Solana dress sewing pattern will you make?
5. Kitty Dress Sewing Pattern
Here's another easy dress sewing pattern for the kids (ages six months to seven years), and it's not the first time we've been envious of an outfit designed for children. This super-cute kitty pinafore features easy dungaree-style straps and large front pocket, as well as those adorable kitty ears and glitter eyes and nose details.
- Find the Kitty dress sewing pattern on the Gathered shop
6. Maisie Dress Sewing Pattern
The Maisie dress sewing pattern is ideal for beginner sewists who want to advance their skills. The light smock style, gathered sleeves and optional gathered waist give the garment a wonderful flow and movement. Plus, the loose and relaxed fit means you don't have to worry so much about the fit and can instead focus on getting the pattern and drape looking perfect.
- Get the Maisie dress sewing pattern from the Gathered shop
7. Milan Dress Sewing Pattern
Here's another fabulous easy dress sewing pattern that it perfect for beginners and is a must for hot summer days. The Milan dress is a super-simple sewing pattern with delicate Rouleau straps and a zip closure at the back.
- Download the Milan dress sewing pattern from the Gathered shop
8. Autumn Dress Sewing Pattern
Dresses aren't just for summer, and we've got loads of patterns that look fabulous when worn with a pair of tights, leggings, or even just over a pair of jeans. The Autumn dress sewing pattern is an elegant tunic-style dress that you could easily wear all year round, with cuffed sleeves, button tabs and two curved hem options to choose from.
- Take a close look at the Autumn dress sewing pattern on the Gathered shop
9. Girl's Party Dress Sewing Pattern
Another pattern for the kids now, and no little girls wardrobe is complete without a pretty party dress! This adorable outfit can be made in sizes to fit 6 months-7 years, with cap sleeves, contrasting collar and sweet sash belt... complete with a bow at the back of course!
- Head to the Girl's party dress sewing pattern on the Gathered shop
10. Farah Dress Sewing Pattern
You can't beat a classic smock dress for laid-back relaxed style. The Farah dress channels that casual feeling perfectly, and comes with two options for skirt and sleeve lengths. It's guaranteed to become an every day essential.
- Download the Farah dress sewing pattern from the Gathered shop
Improve your sewing skills with these free dress patterns
That's a lot of sewing to be getting on with! Sewing really is a never-ending hobby that you can always improve on - that's the fun part - seeing your improvements and achieving things you previously couldn't!
It really is a game of experience and if you view it as exactly that - each new project is another skill-mastery exercise to improving your sewing - then you will constantly face new challenges, because you will, - with a positive, can-do attitude. Don't forget to share your finished home-sewn garments with us tagged #simplysewingmag!
Beginner's Guides to sewing your free dress patterns
New to sewing? Or maybe you just need some new scissors or needles? Stock up on the best sewing tools with Gathered.
