How to Sew an Easy Summer Dress | Free Pattern

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Who doesn’t love an easy-to-wear summer dress? I’m talking about something light and airy, that you can just throw on and look put together in an instant. This is how to sew an easy summer dress using a FREE pattern from Halla Patterns.

The Agnes dress from Halla Patterns is a free sewing pattern. Simply get the code from the Hala Patterns Facebook Group and you’ll have yourself a free pattern. This is actually one of several free patterns offered. Simply click on the “Announcements” tab of the Facegroup book and you will find all the codes listed there.

Agnes Sewing Pattern Description

This is a really versatile pattern with several options.

How to Sew an Easy Summer Dress – Fabric Recommendations

This sewing pattern is intended for knit fabrics. When sewing an easy summer dress you’ll want something lightweight and good drape and flow. Since the bodice and skirt portion are all one piece, you probably don’t want a fabric that is too heavy as it would sag and stretch out.

You want fabrics that are light and flowy, but not clingy. The nature of the pattern is that if clingy on your backside, it’ll show every lump and bump. So you want something that will flow away from the body.

That said, here are my favourite fabrics for summer dresses.

Agnes Sewing Pattern Review

If you want to know how to sew an easy basic summer dress, look no further than this pattern. I love making tank-style dresses. Using the Agnes pattern, it is literally only 2 basic pieces together – the front and the back. Add bands or binding for the neckline and armholes to finish it off.

That said, I did modify the top portion of the Agnes dress. I prefer a scoop neck opening, as well as a tank-style bodice (as opposed to a sleeveless style). So I took my favourite tank top pattern – the GreenStyle Staple Tank and transferred those cut lines to the top of the pattern. Read all about my review of the GreenStyle Staple Tank here.

The mash-up of these 2 patterns creates the perfect summer dress for me. It’s so easy to wear and so comfy.

I also added inseam pockets because I just have to have pockets in everything. It’s an easy addition. Read about how to easily add inseam pockets in this blog post here.

Here it is out of some beautiful mauve, modal spandex from Boho Fabrics. I love this fabric. It’s perfect for a hot day – it is literally like wearing nothing at all. It’s also so soft and luxurious feeling.

Here’s another made from a pretty floral ITY from So Sew English. ITY comes in so many pretty patterns. ITY also has a lovely cool feel to it which also makes it perfect for warm summer weather.

Here’s another one I made out of some pretty rayon spandex that I found in the bargain basement of my local fabric store. There I can find fabric for $4 a metre – which is enough for me to make this easy basic summer dress.

These dresses also make great transition pieces – simply pair with a cardigan or cute jean jacket.

I can’t wait to try making this dress with sleeves for other seasons. Be sure to stay tuned for that.

Want to remember how to sew an easy summer dress? You’ll want to try out the FREE Agnes pattern from Halla Patterns. Be sure to save this to your favourite Pinterest board.