The Fabric Edit | About Town Popover Shirt & Dress PDF Sewing Pattern
When we release a new pattern, our amazing testing team light up the Pattern Emporium Sewing Circle with photos of their makes — sharing their fabric choices, prints, colours, and personal styling. It’s one of our favourite parts of release week!
To make it easy for you to browse, we’ve gathered all of our About Town Popover Shirt & Dress posts here in one place. Whether you’re sewing the cropped top, the relaxed shirt, or the easy throw-on dress, you’ll find loads of inspiration to help you plan your own look.
The About Town Popover Shirt & Dress is a modern, minimalist design for woven fabrics. It includes two top lengths and two dress lengths, plus two front styles — one with a centre front seam and gentle V-neckline, and one without the seam, finished with a facing. Both share the same simple collar. You’ll also find three sleeve options, a wide hem, and optional pockets. No buttons. No fuss. Just an effortless, on-trend piece you’ll reach for again and again.
Scroll on and enjoy the creativity! We can’t wait to see your version — share it in the Sewing Circle when you’ve made yours.
Kate: About Town Popover Shirt in Linen
Kate: Easy Does It Popover Shirt in Linen
Kate: About Town Popover Dress in Rayon
Kate: I made a set!
Kate: About Town Popover Shirt in Linen/Cotton Blend
Kate: About Town Popover Cap Sleeve Shirt in Linen
Kate: About Town Popover Short Sleeve Shirt in Linen
Melanie: About Town Popover Shirt in Linen/Rayon
"You will have so much fun choosing your options and you definitely won’t be able to stop at one. And if you are anything like me you will then be planning all the pretty sets and outfits to wear about town!" -Mel
- Paired with the Easy Does It Skirt for a matching set and the Getaway Shorts for a polished casual summer look.
Melanie: About Town Popover Dress in Linen
"I’m sure you all know by now about allllllll the fab options in the About Town Popover Top and Dress. So showing off my much loved dress version and instead of talking about the pattern, I’m going to tell you all about how it makes me feel. And that is absolutely blissful! It’s just so easy to throw on in the morning when I want to look put together but without any effort (haha every day). I love that it makes me feel done if you know what I mean! It’s comfortable, classic and airy to wear. I can wear my favourite boring underwear without worrying about panty lines or anything special underneath and it’s become my new wardorbe best friend. I feel free and ready to tackle the day every time I pop it on!!" -Mel
Sophie: About Town Popover Shirt in Viscose
"About Town Popover — simple, modern, and totally fuss-free. I skipped the extras and went minimalist this round… and I think she’s a keeper. Also… did I mention no buttons?!" -Sophie
Sophie: About Town Popover Dress in Viscose Crepe
"You know I love a pattern that works harder for my wardrobe. So versatile — wear it your way, every day." -Sophie
Sophie: About Town Popover Shirt in Viscose
"In case you haven’t noticed, I have yet another obsession. I really, really needed a cap sleeve version even though we are heading into colder weather. Which version are you sewing first?" -Sophie
Sophie: About Town Popover Shirt in Viscose
Terri: About Town Popover Dress in Cotton/Poly Blend
" My discomfort with woven sewing is well documented, but I have to say that I almost jump at a chance to try any woven pattern that Kate releases, and THIS is why. I LOVE THIS DRESS!! It's an easy see, it's fast, and its cute!" - Terri
Terri: About Town Popover Shirt in Chiffon
"My first make in this pattern was this top, which i wanted to make be cause it would pair well with several.items already in closet. This style is just so easy to wear, I can see me making this over and over." -Terri
Katie: About Town Popover Shirt in Linen
"It's such a marvelous top, I sewed mine in a heavier linen and it's soft and kind of gives utility jacket vibes, especially in this color, which I love. This is a great version for those of us heading into fall and cozier tops." -Katie
Marnie: About Top Popover Shirt in Linen/Cotton Blend
"This is a very satisfying fast sew that produces the cutest top. I’ve made the facing version of the top in a size 10 with the cap sleeve. I’ve used a linen cotton blend for this top and it’s the perfect staple for my wardrobe. Worn here with Coco pants." -Marnie
Size 10
Kynthia: About Town Popover Shirt in Linen
"Meet my newest crush! Beautifully structured yet effortlessly easygoing — the kind of top that makes you feel instantly put-together. The collar was a total breeze to sew, and the facing actually behaved (for once). I paired it with my Vacation Vibes Palazzo Pants for the office — comfort meets chic!" -Kynthia
Monique: About Town Popover Shirt in Rayon Twill
"Kate has done it again with yet another blouse favorite! For a woven, it was a quicker sew since there's no buttons. I'm in love!" -Monique
Sarah: About Town Popover Shirt in Textured Linen
"I think I've waited my whole sewing life for Pattern Emporium to make a popover and I am completely in love with it! There are so many sleeve options from the adorable cap sleeve to long sleeves and length options from crop to long dress. You've never made a collared shirt as easy as this *and* FBA is included. I have to say, my favorite thing about this pattern is learning a new (and easy) way to make a perfect cuff" -Sarah
Sandra: About Town Popover Dress in Rayon
"This stunning dress will be an essential piece in my summer wardrobe, perfect for those sweltering days. With its relaxed silhouette and practical pockets, it combines style with functionality beautifully. The design hugs your bust before gently flowing over your hips, creating a comfortable flattering shape. The cap sleeves provide just the right amount of coverage for your arms while keeping you cool and comfortable. I made this dress in a luxuriously soft rayon that feels as wonderful against the skin as it looks." -Sandra
Sandra: Around Town Popover Shirt in Light Cotton Drill
"I whipped up the cutest popover shirt from the About Town pattern, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! I used a lightweight, fun print that I found as a remnant at Spotlight, and let me tell you, it came together so quickly. This top is not just adorable; it's also super comfy. It fits snugly around the bust but then flares out nicely over the hips, which I love. The instructions for the pattern are really detailed and super easy to follow, making the whole process a breeze. I can totally see myself reaching for this top again and again this summer. It's going to look fabulous with shorts, skirts, or even trousers!" -Sandra
Erika: About Town Popover Shirt in Cotton/Poly blend (maybe)
"This is a top that’s quick to make and something that I can see myself wearing all the time." -Erika
Erika: About Town Popover Shirt in Linen/Rayon Blend
Linen rayon blend fabric
Suzanne: About Town Popover Shirt in Lightweight Sheer
"I do love a bold color, so here I am in bright pink!!! I love it! Super easy to sew with no buttons or zippers. Lots of sleeve options too! Fabric is light weight sheer fabric. I did not add the interfacing due to the sheer nature." -Suzanne
Sherree: About Town Popover Dress in Rayon
Sherree: About Town Popover Dress in Cotton
Talia: About Town Popover Dress in Tencel
"I can see a lot of these fabulous About Town Popovers in my future. Such a clean finish and quite an easy sew thanks to its clever design!" -Talia
Tencel (Spotlight)
Elise: About Town Popover Shirt in Linen
Elise: About Town Popover Shirt in Cotton/Linen Blend
"My favourite feature is the easy peasy method to make the cuff sleeves that will never sag. I have already made 3 because they are quick and easy to sew." -Elise
Monique: About Town Popover Dress in Tencel
Jody: About Town Popover Shirt in Polyester
"The About Town Popover Shirt and Dress is a fabulously relaxing sew with a lot of beautifully designed details. I adore the wide hem and the integrated cuff is absolute genius!" - Jody
Jody: About Town Popover Dress in Rayon Twill
"I love my new dress! The details are so beautifully designed and elevated- the wide hem, the integrated cuff, the clean finishes, but the icing on the cake is that it is also extremely fast to sew. I also love when I learn new sewing techniques. The integrated cuff seems magical when you sew it and the inseam pocket instructions are very different from most I’ve done, but it works out so beautifully." - Jody
Amanda: About Town Popover Dress in Linen
"I chose to make this short dress in tall length in beautiful natural linen - thinking it would be perfect to pop over my bathers at the beach - however my daughter has other ideas & has decided it’s hers!! Lucky this is such a quick sew & I can make another (I can see lots of others in my future!) The pattern tutorial gives clear instructions on how to multi-size where hips & waist are larger than upper bust - however in my excitement while learning to use my projector to cut - I forgot to do this - but as you can see I’ve still got enough room for comfort." -Amanda
Amanda: About Town Popover Shirt in Rayon
"I’m excited to share the second of my About Town Popover dress & shirt! This is such a fabulous pattern, & sooooo quick to make up. This top in regular cropped length has a neck facing which works nicely with the rayon (printed only on one side) & not a midriff in sight! I find rayon lovely to wear, but a little slippery to work with, so do a gelatine wash prior to cutting which stiffens the fabric & makes it much easier to work with! Paired with a couple of my many pairs of Getaway shorts, I’m ready for summer." -Amanda
Sally: About Town Popover Shirt in Rayon
"This is the combination of one of my favourite prints with a gorgeous top. I love the ease of the pull over top and little cap sleeves. So cute… especially paired with the PE wrap skirt." -Sally
Sally: About Town Popover Shirt in Rayon
"I was so happy when I had enough of this rayon left to make a matching top to my newest vacation vibes. The About Town Popover top is the perfect option for your larger remnant pieces." -Sally
Sally: About Town Popover Dress in Rayon/Linen Blend
"This pattern has become a bit of an obsession for me. I have made 3 versions so far and have so many more planned. The lack of buttons and simple cuffs and collars makes it such a quick sew compared to other shirt patterns. This is my dress and it’s already in high rotation in the wardrobe." -Sally
Sam: About Town Popover Shirt in Broderie Anglais
"Sharing my version of About Town! Such a cute name! This is a woven top that has a V-neck with a soft collar and just the right amount of ease for that relaxed, casual vibe that I like. The cropped length gives it a fresh, effortless feel. Simple, comfortable, and totally my style! I wasn’t entirely sure at first if broderie would work for this pattern, but I thought it might bring out the wide hem nicely, or the centre seam (which I didn’t sew for mine, but is included as an option in the pattern). The epaulettes would be a totally cute addition when I make my next one, with the short sleeves, maybe! Styling-wise, this top just slots straight into my wardrobe. It’s cropped, but not too short, so it pairs perfectly with my trusty denim skirt. I’ve also worn it with my floral Hepburn Shorts." -Sam
Efrat: About Town Popover Shirt in Embroidered Cotton
"Make this woven shirt pattern and you can be looking put together and chic in no time! No need for buttons or complicated closures, and no need to sew on fiddly sleeve cuffs. It's a quick and easy pattern to sew with three sleeve options. I skipped the pockets and made the top with the straight short sleeve, for an elegant and comfortable look. I made sure to take my time when I ironed and top-stitched the front so everything looks smooth. It's a really quick sew and the instructions are, as always with PE patterns, very detailed and helpful." -Efrat
Alana: About Town Popover Dress in Linen
"I’ve been side-questing into embroidery this year, and the collar of my About Town dress was calling to me. I used a light board to trace it directly to the interfaced collar piece, embroidered it and then sewed together. Sew much fun!" -Alana
Alison: About Town Dress in a Viscose Blend
"The About Town Popover shirt and Dress is such a great pattern which is so versatile with all the amazing variations you get from PE!" -Alison
Amanda: About Town Popover Shirt in a Crinkly Viscose
"I really enjoyed testing the new About Town Popover and have had so many compliments when I've worn it. As is so often the case with Pattern Emporium patterns they can be used to make clothes for all seasons wherever you are in the world and as we are going in to Autumn / Winter." -Amanda
Long length
Long sleeve
Faced neckline
Some kind of deadstock crinkly viscose
Genevieve: About Town Shirt in Linen
"Living in the UK it is deep Autumn, so my version of the About Town is a long sleeved top. This design is 100% my aesthetic, complete with beautifully and cleverly design elements, such as the cuff construction." -Genevieve
Steph: About Town Popover Dress in Rayon
I made a size 18 in a lightweight rayon and it is the perfect throw on and go dress - particularly now I’m 37 almost 38 weeks pregnant and in desperate need of lightweight clothes in the Aussie Spring." -Steph
So many gorgeous versions! Feeling inspired? Grab the pattern, pick your fabric, and make it your own. We’ll be cheering you on — and can’t wait to see your About Town Popover Shirt & Dress in the Sewing Circle.
