Guide To Our Favourite Dress Patterns for Woven Fabrics
Guide To Our Favourite Dress Sewing Patterns for Woven Fabrics
If you love the drape, breathability and ease of woven fabrics, this guide is for you. Our woven dress patterns cover everything from crisp shirting to breezy tent dresses, romantic tiers and summer kaftans — and each one includes clear, confidence-building instructions to help you sew with joy.
If you’re browsing through these styles and want to see them all in one place, you can view the full Woven Dresses collection here (Menu > Women's Patterns > Dress Patterns > Woven Dresses).
A little reminder before we dive in: with Pattern Emporium patterns, you receive all sizes listed on that pattern, plus print at home, A0 copy shop and projector files. Many of these dresses are also mashable - see our mashable sleeves guide here (Menu > Help & Resources > Lists & Charts > Mashable Sleeves | Woven).
Now let’s talk dresses.
1. About Town Popover Dress
If you love the feel of a shirt dress but want something fresher, easier and fuss-free, the About Town Popover Dress is your girl. This one has been wildly popular because it looks modern, feels relaxed and has no buttons. It’s a slip-over style with a subtle V-neck, simple collar and a softly flared silhouette that works for everyday wear.
A favourite feature is the wide hem. It finishes the dress beautifully and gives it that clean, polished feel without extra effort. You’ll also find three sleeve styles, optional pockets and optional epaulettes if you like a little detail.
And yes — FBA pieces are included.
Think of About Town as that dress you throw on when you want to look put-together without trying. Linen, rayon, lawn… they all shine.
2. Meet You There Dress
Floaty, romantic and incredibly versatile, the Meet You There Dress is your tiered-dress moment. It has a relaxed bodice, soft shoulder-line, three necklines, two full sleeves plus a sleeveless option, and endless ways to build your perfect length.
You can go mini, midi or maxi. You can gather traditionally or use the elastic method (game-changing). You can leave the waist relaxed or add the optional ties for a gentle pull-in. It’s the kind of dress that feels beautiful to wear and gives you lots of creative freedom.
If you love a dress that moves with you and offers loads of design choice, this one is a joy.
3. Go With The Flow Dress
This is the tent dress of dreams. Go With The Flow is airy, breezy and designed for effortless movement. It’s the definition of relaxed style — perfect for sunny days, holidays and easy dressing.
You can choose straight or V yokes, narrow or wide straps, fixed or adjustable straps, and mini or maxi length. There’s also an FBA front included (with a dart), and in-seam pockets because we know you’ll want them.
If you’re after a dress you can wear loose, floaty and cool, this one is summer in a pattern.
4. Take The Chance Shirt Dress
A relaxed shirt silhouette with a lightly structured feel — Take The Chance is the classic shirt dress reimagined the PE way. It features an all-in-one placket (beautifully simple), a camp collar, a button-through bodice and multiple tier options so you can build anything from a mini to a maxi.
Sleeves are where this pattern really shines: long, 3/4, short (narrow or wide), or a flounce. Pockets and waist ties are optional, and you can gather traditionally or with the elastic method. FBA instructions are also included.
If you love a timeless shirt look with modern ease, this one is a favourite.
5. All In Shirt Dress
If you want a button-up dress that is relaxed, wearable and works across seasons, the All In Shirt Dress ticks every box. It has a gentle shape through the sides, a back yoke and pleat, two collar options (camp or collar stand), an all-in-one placket and four sleeve styles.
This pattern is also mash-friendly — you can mix elements with Meet You There and Take The Chance. It’s one of those ‘make it your way’ patterns that works in linen, cotton, lawn and more structured wovens.
It includes FBA instructions, not separate pieces.
6. Ocean Daze Oversized Shirt Dress
Deliciously oversized and fabulously dramatic, the Ocean Daze Shirt Dress is for those who love volume and ease. It’s the kind of dress that feels cool and relaxed, but still looks considered thanks to its exaggerated proportions.
Think dropped shoulders, wide sleeves, roomy bodice, two collar options, curved or exaggerated shirttail hems and optional patch pockets. It also makes a brilliant layering piece as an overshirt.
If you love a floaty, fashion-forward oversized silhouette, this one is a joy to sew and to wear.
7. Field Of Dreams Dress
A beautifully structured woven dress with a fully lined bodice. The Field Of Dreams Dress gives you an entire toolkit of design options: five bodice styles, wide or narrow straps, strap ruffles, straight or V necklines, button or plain fronts, and a huge range of lengths from crop top to maxi.
The bodice includes darts for shaping and slips on without a zip. The tiered skirt offers endless possibilities, and the Get Creative section lets you personalise even further — think tied straps, mock button fronts, colour blocking and more.
Pockets are included. The gathering-with-elastic technique is also included and is a massive time-saver.
If you want a more structured bodice with dreamy skirt options, this is the one.
8. SunKissed Kaftan
A long-time favourite for holidays, pool days and warm weather, the SunKissed Kaftan is an easy-fitting V-neck style with choices galore. You can sew a top, tunic, dress or maxi, choose from four V-neck depths, and pick your sleeve length or even determine your own.
There are loads of optional features — side ties, sash, drawstring, trims, split shoulders, outer side seams, side-seam-free edges and breastfeeding-friendly adjustments. It’s also a great pattern for learning new techniques like rouleau loops and bias binding.
If you love a relaxed, summery piece with endless styling possibilities, this one belongs in your wardrobe.
Final thoughts
Whether you love a crisp shirt dress, a flowy tent style, a romantic tiered silhouette or an easy kaftan, there’s a woven dress pattern here for every mood, season and sewing adventure. Each pattern includes the sizes listed, multiple file formats and the detailed instructions that make sewing feel achievable and fun.
