TOP 10 INDIE PARTY DRESS SEWING PATTERNS
Party season is upon us and we feel it is about time to put on a party frock and celebrate the festive season (and we want an excuse to sew something lovely!). If you are thinking of adding a party dress to your handmade wardrobe, we have a few ideas up our voluminous (and on-trend) sleeves!
We’ve rounded up ten beautiful indie party dress patterns that will make you the belle of the ball! Whether you are staying in for an intimate soirée or going out on the town, you’ll find a design that you will want to wear to all your future functions.
The Liz Dress from By Hand London:
If you can’t resist a ruffle or frill, the Lizz Dress from By Hand London might be your pick of the bunch! With one pattern, you will find yourself with two very different dresses, and infinite hackability! Lizz is a basic darted bodice with generous ease, a high waist, simple sleeves and the perfect scoop neckline. Throw in a fabulously full circle skirt with an inverted V waist, a multi-tier gathered skirt, a neckline ruffle AND a waistline flounce, and you’ve got all your favourite future dresses in one handy pattern!
Sizing: UK 6 – 26 or UK 14/16 – 40/42
Pattern Format: Paper
The Uni Dress from Vikisews:
This dress has ALL the trimmings! The wonderful voluminous sleeves, the back bodice with its U-shaped neckline that also features wide ties that form a bow with long tails, the full gathered skirt… there are so many to swoon over! ~The Uni Dress from Vikisews is quite the modern ballgown! It would work nicely in party fabrics like taffeta.
Sizing: UK 6-20 in 4 height groups
Pattern Format: PDF with optional copyshop printing
The Roseclair Dress from Cashmerette:
Who’s the twirliest of them all? The Roseclair Dress from Cashmerette that’s who! This style is a lovely versatile design that would look just as lovely with tights and boots in the winter as it would with strappy sandals in the summer, making it perfect for any occasion. There are three views included, so you have plenty of options to play with. We particularly love the bishop sleeves and tiered skirt. Oh, and the best part is this wrap dress has been designed to have a fabulous curve-friendly fit that keeps the neckline in place all day long.
Sizing: UK 8 – 18 or UK 14 – 34 in three cup sizes C/D, E/F, G/H
Pattern Format: Paper
The Ingrid Dress and Top by Homer and Howell:
This one definitely makes it onto my party dress wishlist! The Ingrid Dress and Top by Homer and Howells is a design that will hold structure really nicely, so a taffeta or jacquard would look lovely. It’s a gathered panel dress with asymmetric seams and a centre front bust tuck. There are midi and mini lengths to choose from, as well as a top option. Ingrid also has two sleeve options: a super cool wide tee sleeve, or a voluminous gathered cuff sleeve. It will shape up into a party dress with a difference!
Sizing: UK 6 – 24
Pattern Format: Paper or PDF with optional copyshop printing
The Mersis Dress and Top by Pattern Fantastique:
Mersis is a shift dress for superstars, so if that sounds like you, this might be the party dress pattern for you! It draws on 80s glam with generous shapes and peek-a-boo features that suggest more than they reveal. Mersis features Dynasty balloon sleeves, a deep ‘V’ neck at the back and a midway ‘V’ for the front neckline. The centre front hem has a mitre corner finish and split for the longer lengths. As you can see, it looks fabulous in something with a little shimmer!
Sizing: UK 6 – 26
Pattern Format: PDF with optional copyshop printing
Adrianna Dress by Friday Pattern Company:
If you want something that’s easy to sew, but full of impact, the Adrianna Dress from Friday Pattern Company is an excellent choice! This is a pull-on, A-line shift dress that features large statement sleeves brought in at the shoulders and wrists with elastic. The neckline is high in the front and slightly dropped in the back. This dress can be sewn up in a day and worn on the dance floor that night! It looks lovely in silky party fabrics as shown in the sample.
Sizing: UK 6 – 28
Pattern Format: Paper or PDF with optional copyshop printing
The Kamille Dress from Fibre Mood:
If you love the stuff, this is THE season for velvet! You really can’t get any more holiday party-appropriate than a dress made from plush velvet. The Kamille Dress by Fibre Mood is a close-fitting dress with darts at the back and a dramatic twist detail at the front. The best part is that this dress is made from jersey velvet, so it’s actually a rather comfy choice!
Sizing: UK 6 – 22/24
Pattern Format: PDF with optional copyshop printing
The Bakerloo Blouse and Dress from Nina Lee:
If you want a party dress that is suitable for all festive occasions, the Bakerloo Dress by Nina Lee is a wonderful choice. Whether you are pulling a turkey out of the oven or off to a work party, you will feel comfortable and ready for fun in your Bakerloo Dress. It has an extra-extravagant ruffled collar and va-va-voluminous sleeves! The design is suitable for a wide range of fabrics and potential customisation, this is a pattern designed to be frilly fun! It would be lovely in party fabrics, or with a little velvet ricrac round the collar for festive fun.
Sizing: UK 6 – 20 or UK 16 – 28
Pattern Format: Paper or PDF with optional copyshop printing
The Veera Dress from Tessa Roosa:
We’ve shared quite a few patterns that have lots of trimmings which isn’t to everyone’s taste. If you prefer understated elegance, the Veera Dress by Tessa Roosa is right up your street. Veera is a light and effortless dress with puff sleeves, a boat neck and a knee-length A-line skirt. You can let the design speak for itself with a plain fabric or use those simple lines to set off a striking print. It’s a timeless design that you will want to wear for all your fancy functions.
Sizing: UK 6 – 22/24
Pattern Format: PDF with optional copyshop printing
The Elodie Wrap Dress from Closet Core Patterns:
We do love a wrap dress. Classic, timeless, elegant and perfect for parties. The Elodie Wrap Dress from Closet Core Patterns is a lovely design that you will want to wear again and again. Elodie features a softly flowing bodice, with release pleats under the bust and a dolman style sleeve. Choose between a short sleeve or a longer, more formal option that ends at the elbow. The skirt is swishy and voluminous and comes in three lengths, above the knee, midi or maxi, with optional patch pockets. Pick a luxurious silk for maximum holiday party vibes.
Sizing: UK 6 – 20
Pattern Format: Paper
If dresses aren’t really your thing, you might like our Top 10 Jumpsuit Sewing Patterns list.
