Free Sewing Pattern & Tutorial: Free People inspired summer dress

Make your own Free People inspired summer dress!

This summer dress sewing pattern is inspired by a boho dress I saw on Free People. At full price, I think the dress costs close to $150 to buy, so I’m happy to be able to share this budget friendly version!

Draft-it Yourself Pattern

This pattern is made of two simple shapes, based on your body measurements. Don’t worry, it’s all explained in the video below.

Before you get started, download a printable version of the sewing pattern diagrams. It will make it much easier (and less confusing) to write down your measurements. The Boho Dress download is FREE in my Creative Resources Library:

Step-by-step Video Tutorial

Below is the video which shows you how to measure, draft, cut and then sew your own boho dress.

If you make one, please share it on Instagram and tag me @sewinlove and I’ll share it too!

Fabric Choice

This dress is not meant to be a maternity dress, but at 8 months pregnant I can fit quite comfortably into it! I think the high waistline and flared skirt makes room for a growing belly. The kimono style front opening makes it nursing friendly too, so I’m sure I’ll get a lot of wear out of it postpartum too.

If you’re looking for maternity patterns, check out my Striped Maternity Tunic sewing pattern.

I used batik, a traditional Indonesian cotton fabric to make this dress. I love the bright colours and ethnic patterns of batik, but I think next time I make this dress, I’ll choose a fabric with a little more drape. I highly recommend rayon or double gauze.

Rin

Rin is the founder of Sew in Love, where she helps busy women slow down and rediscover their creativity. She loves food from her Japanese heritage, coffee and bushwalking with her Aussie husband and two girls. More about Rin.

DIY striped tunic top for pregnancy and beyond: Free Sewing Pattern

39 comments

RoseO September 18, 2015 at 7:22 pm

You are cute as a button! And the dress, too! I love Japanese sewing patterns and fabric. Thanks for another great free pattern!

Rin September 19, 2015 at 6:35 pm

That’s so kind – Thank you Rose! 🙂

Jessica September 22, 2015 at 2:27 pm

What a lovely dress!! And for 8 months pregnant you look stunning!!! Cant wait to make this 🙂

Rin September 24, 2015 at 5:25 pm

Thanks Jessica 🙂 I’d love to see your final dress!

Burda Patterns Sweetheart Dress in Yellow Hawaiian Print - Sew in Love January 27, 2016 at 9:50 pm

[…] made these harem pants and Free People inspired dress from batik fabric […]

Michele February 5, 2016 at 1:24 pm

I am loving this dress! I can’t wait to get one or two put together. Love the pregnancy pics! Beautiful!

Rin February 5, 2016 at 1:38 pm

Thanks Michele!

Samantha March 21, 2016 at 2:26 am

Hi Rin! I’m fairly new to sewing, so I’m not sure how much fabric I should buy for this dress. I was thinking 2 yards? Thanks for the tutorial it’s very clear and so helpful!

Rin March 21, 2016 at 12:00 pm

Hi Samantha 🙂

It depends on the width of the fabric and also how long you want your dress to be.

I’d buy 2.5 yards just in case. There’s nothing worse than running out of fabric!

Elaine May 29, 2016 at 10:18 pm

I don’t understand the diagrams. What measurements do I use when making the draft?
(If possible, please send me a personal response. I really want to make this)

Rin May 31, 2016 at 11:04 am

Hi Elaine! I’ll send you an email so I can help you as much as I can.

Duchess June 1, 2016 at 1:57 am

Can you give instructions for patterns as a download too as this will be helpful to me. Thanks

Rin June 3, 2016 at 9:30 am

Hi Duchess – I’ll add it to my to do list.

Urshalena June 1, 2016 at 6:17 pm

Hi, I can’t figure out what measurments you used for this cute dress. Can you help me out? Btw, you look amazing in the dress…

Rin June 3, 2016 at 9:29 am

Hi Urshalena – Did you take a look at the guest blog post over at So Sew Easy (link is within this blog post)? All the measurement guidelines are there.
Thanks so much! 😀

Kimono Dress Tutorial Free - My Handmade Space June 7, 2016 at 9:03 pm

[…] Kimono Dress tutorial was published in the Sew in Love website. To sew the kimono dress, you need to draw two pattern pieces […]

Ceila June 9, 2016 at 10:53 pm

Hello, Rin !!! I ve just discover your page, and I love it. I ve got my own designs too, I can send you some if you want, so, you can share with all your followers. Congratulations !!!!!

Rin June 10, 2016 at 5:59 pm

Thanks Ceila 🙂

Siobhan Madden July 12, 2016 at 9:45 pm

Love this! definitely going to try making one!

Rin July 13, 2016 at 7:45 am

Yay!

Jackelyn August 29, 2016 at 10:19 am

Hi rin. Im new to sewing and I love your dress but I don’t reall understand the pattern. Do tou have a video tutorial for this dress?

Rin September 19, 2016 at 7:57 am

Hi Jackelyn,

This is a video tutorial. You didn’t see it? Just click on the link where it says”Deby at So-Sew-Easy invited me to contribute to her popular blog, so head on over to So-Sew-Easy see the entire video tutorial.”.

sueli October 25, 2016 at 12:14 am

amei sua postagem,adoraria se vc me desse a quantidade de tecido que vc usou para fazer o vestido,quero fazer um,beijos e obrigada.

Jess March 24, 2017 at 2:55 pm

Thanks for this amazing pattern Rin. All my friends love my dress and some even want me to make one for them. Can I make a couple of suggestions, though? I left out the elastic just because I didn’t feel it needed it with the waist tie as well and I feel more comfortable without elastic. In your tutorial you didn’t mention how much to sew and how much to leave when making the sleeve holes and I must left too big a hole, it got caught on a door knob and ripped a hole in my fabric (not the end of the world, it shall be mended, lol). Also, I found the waist tie exceptionally difficult to thread once the casing was made (with my practice dress) so with my good fabric I placed a guide rope (just wool I had laying around) into the casing space and through the button holes, stitched up the casing, tied the guide rope to the end of waist tie and pulled it through. So easy. Thanks again, love this pattern. And you look FAB!

Rin March 24, 2017 at 4:54 pm

Hi Jess!
Thanks so much for all your suggestions. So sorry about the ripped fabric though!
That is an especially fab idea about the guide rope. Never would have thought of that.
Rin

nava July 15, 2017 at 8:23 pm

hi
is it just for pregnant ladies?cause I’m not but I live so much this style,I want to try it,is it wrong?

Rin July 26, 2017 at 1:24 pm

Hi Nava,

No this dress is meant to be for non-pregnant ladies – I happened to be pregnant at the time and it fit me well 🙂

nava September 26, 2017 at 1:13 am

tnx rin,it is fabulous

Rin September 30, 2017 at 10:48 am

You’re welcome Nava 🙂

Tonja August 15, 2017 at 4:13 pm

I hope it works for those of us we go could use gym more then we do. I’m getting ready to go on 3 month holiday a cross the United States we will land in sunny Arizona for last month of. I’m very new to sewing. But me and my 1961 singer are cruising forward. I’ve got all the cams she has all the new feet. We have an agreement if I clean and keep all her medal parts happy we will together for a very long time. My mom has 12 machines that do everything I have rocket and another for the tight spots.. Now my question I’m a little older then that beautiful Barbie body you have. 4 kids took mine away love dress whats your opinion on closing off slit of sleeve that only thing not my style. I sou like to have this dress, the reversible and 3 different fabrics of the high low by time we leave Sept. Today was first time I found your site. You are so passionate and it shows I will he as long as yo Lee the blog. Thanks for you time righting. My us size is a 10

Tonja August 15, 2017 at 4:18 pm

Oops last comment used wrong email sorry I’ve been busy kicking a remodeling my new sewing room this week. I’m claiming dead brain. But I love your work

Rin August 29, 2017 at 2:55 pm

Hi Tonja – I think it will be fine to close off the slit on the sleeve. It would look more like a genuine kimono!

alixe January 26, 2018 at 8:20 am

So pretty! Thanks for the inspiration.

Erin Bass April 14, 2018 at 2:44 am

Hi, do you have a printable pattern? I am not to experienced at rafting yet. thanks!-Erin

30 Top DIY Summer Sewing Projects For Home And Family – With Free Patterns! - DIY & Crafts May 8, 2018 at 12:19 am

[…] Tutorial/Pattern: sewinlove […]

30 Top Summer Sewing Projects For Home And Family – With Free Patterns! - For Good Life September 4, 2018 at 9:56 pm

[…] Tutorial/Pattern: sewinlove […]

Lisa Miller-Mecham January 29, 2019 at 4:44 am

Hey I just love this DIY dress tutorial and wanted to let you know I featured it over on CreativeFashionBlog.com. You can check it out here: https://creativefashionblog.com/15-boho-chic-dresses-you-can-make-yourself/

Syeda Umme Ayman Shashi July 3, 2019 at 5:46 am

How can I purchase?
I’m from Bangladesh

Rin July 10, 2019 at 1:40 pm

The pattern is free 🙂