The Tent Dress with Sleeves You’ve Been Asking For!

The Tent Dress with Sleeves You’ve Been Asking For!

I’ve just released two tent dress patterns, and I love how easy, breezy, and comfortable they are. First, the Go With the Flow Dress for woven fabrics, and just this past Sunday, the Vacay All Day Dress & Top for stretch fabrics. After seeing these, people started asking...

What about a tent dress with sleeves?!

That got me thinking. If you want a sleeved tent dress, or just a tent dress with more coverage, you don’t need a new pattern—because the Exhale Top & Dress sewing pattern is already perfect for it!

🛍️ Get 30% off the Exhale pattern for a limited period during our pattern release this week!! See countdown above ↑

The Exhale Dress: The Sleeved Tent Dress You Didn't Know You Had

The Exhale pattern is packed with options! You can completely customise your look to suit your style and the season. It comes with:

• long, 1/2, short sleeve & sleeveless variations,
• plus high, mid, low & V-neck, all finished with a band.

The Exhale includes both a high-low top AND a short dress option. To show what’s possible, in my video I sewed up two brand new samples, both with long sleeves and a high neckline:

• Black/white ITY sample – 25cm (10 inches) longer

• Light grey merino wool sample – 30cm (12 inches) longer

I also share four older Exhale samples from a previous video to give you even more inspiration:

• Two short dresses (sleeveless):

  • Ponte fabric – to show a version with more body and structure

  • Drapey poly knit – to compare how it looks in a softer, more fluid fabric

• Two maxi dresses (sleeveless) – both from the original pattern release, showing how stunning this design looks as a flowing maxi.

How to Turn the Exhale Dress into a Maxi with Sleeves

On pages 33–34 of the Exhale tutorial, I show you how to extend the length of the dress to create a maxi, including how to 'prove' the hemline so there's a smooth transition between the front and back. You’ll also find instructions for a sash (pages 31–32), plus ideas for other pattern mashes.

It’s super simple! Below are some suggested amounts to add for different lengths.

Step 1: Add Length

Just add the same amount of length evenly across the bottom of both front and back pieces:

• Below the knee: Add 15cm (6 inches)

• Midi length: Add 25-30cm (10-12 inches)

• Maxi length: Add 40-50cm (16-19 inches)

Step 2: Follow the Shape (see page 34 in the Exhale tutorial) 

• Extend the centre front and side seam straight down to your new length.

• To keep the original curved hem, measure down at intervals and mark the same additional length using the existing hem shape as your guide.

• Draw in the new hemline and repeat for the back.

Step 3: Add the Sleeves

Since the Exhale already includes sleeves, just follow the instructions in the tutorial. Want to mix it up? You can also borrow sleeves from other select Pattern Emporium stretch patterns for a different vibe. See page 35 in the Exhale tutorial or go to our sleeve pattern mashing guide on the website.

And that’s it! A few simple tweaks and you’ve got a whole new sleeved tent dress. If you give this hack a go, don’t forget to share your makes with your sewing community in the Pattern Emporium Sewing Circle!

Happy sewing!

Kate x