Easy Summer Sundress

Easy Summer Sundress

Easy Summer Sundress

Variations of this easy summer sundress are all over Pinterest. The patterns are more or less the same. You can also look up – Moldes Moda Medida – for free patterns. Might need to translate them though.

Here in Cape Town global warming is most definitely not a myth. We’re facing one of the worst droughts in over a century. You can see more – here. And with no sign of winter ever coming (the cooler weather will alleviate evaporation from our dams and our rainfall occurs in winter) one more easy summer sundress will come in handy.

You need: –

  • fabric
  • matching colour thread
  • tape measure
  • pins
  • sewing scissors
  • sewing machine

You do: –

Measure around the widest part of your hips. Add about 1/3 extra depending how roomy you want your summer sundress to be. For a slim fit dress, add no more than 12 centimetres. That’s the width of your dress.

Then measure from your collar bone to where you want your dress to sit. I like mine around the knee area. Add 5 centimetres. That’s the length of your dress. You also need to add a lower hem allowance to this measurement. Not mentioned in my pattern below.

Sundress Pattern

Sundress Pattern

Now cut your dress from your fabric using these measurements. And cut the underarm area as per above pattern.

For the strap you want a long thin strip around 8 centimetres wide and at least 1 metre long. Ideally longer if you have enough fabric.

To make the long strap I sewed my bits together. Since most of the strap is inside the casing it won’t be visible.

Cut pattern pieces

Cut pattern pieces

Start by sewing any pieces together to make the strap. This is a long continuous strap that ties on one shoulder only.

Hem straps

Hem straps

Fold your long strip in half and iron. Then fold each end inward and hem your strip. See above.

 

 

Sew sides together

Sew sides together

 

Press seams open with an iron

Press seams open with an iron

Hem underarms and snip

Hem underarms and snip

After making a small hem around the underarm area, snip with a scissors to allow the hem to sit flat.

Check the width of your strap. Fold over the top of your dress making sure you have enough space for your straps to slide through. The fold on my dress was 5 centimetres.

Make a fold

Make a fold

Press your fold and sew near the edge to create a casing for your strap.

Slide straps through casing

Slide straps through casing

Lastly slide your strap through the casing and tie on one side.

Fit your dress and adjust tie so it’s not too low or too high. Pin your lower hem and check you are happy with that. Sew in place and just like that you have an easy breezy summer sundress.

Have a great green week. And be grateful if you have rain. We are counting the days until nothing comes out our taps.

Greenie.