Summer Dressmaking

Our top picks for your summer wardrobe

Spring and summer is my favourite time to update my me made wardrobe. There is something about the sunshine that just makes me want to sew and I love the fact that with a simple pull on dress or skirt you can whip up a completely new outfit in an afternoon. There's also the added benefit when you make your own clothes that you know your outfit will be unique.

Show Me The Fabric

Fabulous floral cotton

Part of what I love most about dress making is being able to combine glorious florals with whatever dressmaking pattern I desire, as a little inspiration we have paired these with the Tilly and Buttons Marnie pattern! This collection of 100% cottons combines some of my absolute favourite fabulous florals all in one place!

OUT OF STOCK

£0.00
OUT OF STOCK

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Freya Floral Cotton Lawn Black Tex Ex 2652

£9.50 / Metre

This fab new 100% cotton lawn has a light, soft and floaty feel! Cotton Lawn is lightweight and lovely to wear as well as being relatively easy to sew for a fabric with drape, ideal for dress, skirts or shirts!
Tex Ex 2728 Paint me flowers green

£9.50 / Metre

Retro 100% printed fabric, suitable for dressmaking and craft projects. We have a huge range of cotton dress fabrics at Textile Express and free samples are available on all of our designs.

Shop more Fabulous floral cotton

Shirred Summer Dress

This is the perfect throw on summer dress which is super versatile, it can be worn to the beach or dressed up for a wedding. We've made a few versions of this dress and suggest using a fabric with a lovely soft drape such as viscose or if you like a bit more body at cotton poplin or similar.

OUT OF STOCK

£0.00
F320 Sketch Flower Nude

£8.50 / Metre

This lovely lightweight, soft drape fabric is suitable for a variety of dressmaking and craft projects. The fabric handles like a viscose and has a beautiful drape so is perfect for clothes which require a floaty cloth such as dresses, skirts, blouses, kimonos and summer scarves.

Free samples available on request.
F328 Field Of Flowers Sorbet

£8.50 / Metre

This lovely lightweight, soft drape fabric is suitable for a variety of dressmaking and craft projects. The fabric handles like a viscose and has a beautiful drape so is perfect for clothes which require a floaty cloth such as dresses, skirts, blouses, kimonos and summer scarves.

Free samples available on request.
F321 Madeline Floral Vintage

£8.50 / Metre

This lovely lightweight, soft drape fabric is suitable for a variety of dressmaking and craft projects. The fabric handles like a viscose and has a beautiful drape so is perfect for clothes which require a floaty cloth such as dresses, skirts, blouses, kimonos and summer scarves.

Free samples available on request.

Show me more about the shirred dress!

Floaty fabrics for dressmaking

i514 Watercolour Garden Multi

£9.50 / Metre

Pretty floral design printed on a high quality viscose fabric. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear. This fabric is ideal for most of your dressmaking projects like dresses, blouses etc.

Also suitable for crafting and quilting.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H386 Multi Leaves Rainbow

£10.50 / Metre

Pretty abstract design printed on a high quality viscose fabric. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear. This fabric is ideal for most of your dressmaking projects like dresses, blouses etc.

Also suitable for crafting and quilting.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H385 Batik Palms Ink

£10.50 / Metre

Pretty leaf design printed on a high quality viscose fabric. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear. This fabric is ideal for most of your dressmaking projects like dresses, blouses etc.

Also suitable for crafting and quilting.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H384 Rouge Flowers Viscose Petrol

£10.50 / Metre

Pretty floral design printed on a high quality viscose fabric. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear. This fabric is ideal for most of your dressmaking projects like dresses, blouses etc.

Also suitable for crafting and quilting.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
Posy Viscose Rouge W45

£8.50 / Metre

This stunning viscose fabric is perfect for a variety for dressmaking projects. Viscose is a super soft lightweight fabric which drapes beautifully and feels lovely to wear. It is perfect long floaty dresses and skirts as well as blouses.

Free samples available. Weight: 110gsm
F328 Field Of Flowers Sorbet

£8.50 / Metre

This lovely lightweight, soft drape fabric is suitable for a variety of dressmaking and craft projects. The fabric handles like a viscose and has a beautiful drape so is perfect for clothes which require a floaty cloth such as dresses, skirts, blouses, kimonos and summer scarves.

Free samples available on request.
F326 Woodland Flowers Blue

£8.50 / Metre

This lovely lightweight, soft drape fabric is suitable for a variety of dressmaking and craft projects. The fabric handles like a viscose and has a beautiful drape so is perfect for clothes which require a floaty cloth such as dresses, skirts, blouses, kimonos and summer scarves.

Free samples available on request.
F325 Edith Floral Antique

£8.50 / Metre

This lovely lightweight, soft drape fabric is suitable for a variety of dressmaking and craft projects. The fabric handles like a viscose and has a beautiful drape so is perfect for clothes which require a floaty cloth such as dresses, skirts, blouses, kimonos and summer scarves.

Free samples available on request.

View The Range

Natural Plains

If bright and ditsy florals aren't your thing for summer check out this collection of more natural and plain fabrics. From double muslins to textured ramies we've got some really lovely options.

Washed Ramie Linen Look Mustard B134

OUT OF STOCK

£14.00 / Metre

Ramie is a fantastic eco-friendly cloth which behaves very similarily to linen. It is made from nettles and therefore is a sustainble option as they are easy to grow without the use of chemicals. As ramie shares so many qualities with linen, including a lovely handle and soft drape it can be an ideal choice for curtains and other soft furnishings projects.

Ramie is an extremely strong fibe and is also breathable and highly absorbant making it the perfect cloth for dressmaking. With a weight of 255gsm it is the perfect mid weisght cloth for trousers, dresses, shirts and more!

Free samples available.
Eco Washed Linen Lavender C260

£14.00 / Metre

Washed 100% linen plain soft drape fabric. Suitable for dressmaking, craft and curtains. Free samples available.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 - 230gsm
OUT OF STOCK

£0.00
Washed Ramie Linen Look Petrol B177

OUT OF STOCK

£14.00 / Metre

Ramie is a fantastic eco-friendly cloth which behaves very similarily to linen. It is made from nettles and therefore is a sustainble option as they are easy to grow without the use of chemicals. As ramie shares so many qualities with linen, including a lovely handle and soft drape it can be an ideal choice for curtains and other soft furnishings projects.

Ramie is an extremely strong fibe and is also breathable and highly absorbant making it the perfect cloth for dressmaking. With a weight of 255gsm it is the perfect mid weisght cloth for trousers, dresses, shirts and more!

Free samples available.

Click here to shop more of this style!

Simple Top Video Tutorial

For more info and fabric suggestions click here

Vintage Fabrics

These fabric are the real deal when it comes to vintage and make up the most wonderful collection

Vintage Floral Red Pink C447

£7.00 / Metre

Floral cotton print 100% cotton, suitable for dressmaking and craft. Free samples available.
Greta Floral - Vintage collection 41

£5.00 / Metre

This amazing fabric is part of our latest range of vintage fabrics! These fabric are the real deal when it comes to vintage and make up the most wonderful collection.

Bringing together the best of retro colours and designs these cottons are perfect for dresses, skirts and shirts. They'd also work great for crafting projects and would make fab accessories or home furnishings.

As with all fabrics we'd recommend pre washing this vintage lovelies, free samples available.
Mildred Bloom - Vintage collection 80

£5.00 / Metre

This amazing fabric is part of our latest range of vintage fabrics! These fabric are the real deal when it comes to vintage and make up the most wonderful collection.

Bringing together the best of retro colours and designs these cottons are perfect for dresses, skirts and shirts. They'd also work great for crafting projects and would make fab accessories or home furnishings.

As with all fabrics we'd recommend pre washing this vintage lovelies, free samples available.
OUT OF STOCK

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View The Collection

A go to fabric for summer is always Viscose!

i514 Watercolour Garden Multi

£9.50 / Metre

Pretty floral design printed on a high quality viscose fabric. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear. This fabric is ideal for most of your dressmaking projects like dresses, blouses etc.

Also suitable for crafting and quilting.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H386 Multi Leaves Rainbow

£10.50 / Metre

Pretty abstract design printed on a high quality viscose fabric. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear. This fabric is ideal for most of your dressmaking projects like dresses, blouses etc.

Also suitable for crafting and quilting.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H385 Batik Palms Ink

£10.50 / Metre

Pretty leaf design printed on a high quality viscose fabric. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear. This fabric is ideal for most of your dressmaking projects like dresses, blouses etc.

Also suitable for crafting and quilting.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H384 Rouge Flowers Viscose Petrol

£10.50 / Metre

Pretty floral design printed on a high quality viscose fabric. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear. This fabric is ideal for most of your dressmaking projects like dresses, blouses etc.

Also suitable for crafting and quilting.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H324 Sixties Floral Viscose Magenta

£10.50 / Metre

This lovely printed 100% viscose meets the Okeo-Tex standard 100. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H323 Sixties Floral Viscose Turquoise

£10.50 / Metre

This lovely printed 100% viscose meets the Okeo-Tex standard 100. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H321 Savanna Viscose Mustard

£10.50 / Metre

This lovely printed 100% viscose meets the Okeo-Tex standard 100. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel making it beautiful to wear.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.
H317 Fuchsia Camomile Clusters Viscose

£10.50 / Metre

This lovely printed100% viscose meets the Okeo-Tex standard 100. Its composition gives its a light, soft and floaty feel but for a viscose this fabric isn't overly fluid, its finish is quite similar to a cotton lawn which will make it easy to sew and beautiful to wear.

This design is just one of a huge range of soft drape fabric we stock. Free samples available.

Shop our favourite viscose fabrics

Skirt Video Tutorial

For more info and fabric suggestions click here

Sewing Patterns

The Tilly & the Buttons pattern range are perfect for summer. They are simple to sew and great for sewers of all abilities.

Tilly And The Buttons Drew Raglan Sweatshirt

NEW

£15.00
LET’S GET COMFY!

Meet your new obsession, the Drew sweatshirt sewing pattern. The easy-fitting style and raglan seams make for a speedy and satisfying sew, and a perfect introduction to sewing with stretch knit fabrics – whether you make it on a regular sewing machine (with a zigzag stitch) or overlocker (serger) is up to you. Keep it simple with one solid colour or print, or let your creativity loose with the playful colour block sleeve (great for scrap busting!).
- Oversized fit with deep raglan sleeves, cinched in at the hem and cuffs
- Optional colour block sleeve
- Ribbed crew neckline, hem band and cuffs
- Choice of hip-length or cropped hemlines
SKILL LEVEL - Confident Beginner

Supplies
- Fabric
- Matching thread
- 0.6m (5/8yd) ribbing (at least 90cm [1yd] wide unfolded)
- Sewing machine OR overlocker (serger), plus basic tools, incl ballpoint machine needle if you're using a regular sewing machine (a walking food can also be helpful)
Fabric Suggestions

Sweatshirt fleece or French terry (loopback).
You’ll also need ribbing for the neckband, hem band + cuffs.
Tilly And The Buttons Ramona Skirt

NEW

£15.00
LEARN TO SEW A ZIPPED SKIRT

Meet Ramona, a sleek and chic pencil or mini skirt with dreamy details. Our step-by-step instructions and free video tutorial will teach you how to neatly insert an invisible zip at the side. Choose from patch pockets or faux flaps at the front, and make the skirt extra special with the optional lining.
- Choice of mini-length or knee-length hem with back slit
- Invisible zip closure at the side
- Four waist darts, centre back seam and gently curved waistband for a great fit
- Choice of casual patch pockets or 60s-inspired faux pocket flaps with optional buttons
- Optional lining pattern with full instructions included
SKILL LEVEL - Confident Beginner

Supplies
- Fabric (see below)
- Matching thread
- 0.3m (⅓yd) x 110cm (1¼yd) wide iron-on interfacing (similar weight to your fabric)
- 22cm (9in) invisible zip
- Optional: 2 x 15-20mm (⅝ -¾in) wide buttons for faux flap version
- Sewing machine and basic tools, incl invisible zip foot and regular or adjustable zip foot
Fabric Suggestions

Main fabric: Medium- to heavy-weight woven fabrics that hold their shape, such as corduroy, denim, drill, jacquard, tweed, or wool suiting.
Optional lining: Slippery lining fabric such as cupro (Bemberg), viscose (rayon), acetate or polyester lining.
Tilly And The Buttons Mabel Dress and Top

£15.00

Make it yourself Tilly and the Buttons sewing pattern.
Tilly And The Buttons Nell Dress and Top

OUT OF STOCK

£15.00

Make it yourself Tilly and the Buttons sewing pattern.
Tilly And The Buttons Thea Wide Leg Trousers

£15.00

Make it yourself Tilly and the Buttons sewing pattern.
Tilly And The Buttons Sonny Jacket

£15.00

Make it yourself Tilly and the Buttons sewing pattern.
Friday Pattern Company The Wilder Gown Sewing Pattern

£19.00

Make it yourself gown sewing pattern.
Friday Pattern Company The Ilford Jacket Sewing Pattern

OUT OF STOCK

£19.00

Make it yourself jacket sewing pattern.

Sewing Patterns

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