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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!

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  3. Freya Floral Cotton Lawn Black Tex Ex 2652

     

    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!

  4. Tex Ex 2728 Paint me flowers green

     

    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. 

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.

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  2. F320 Sketch Flower Nude

     

    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.

  3. F328 Field Of Flowers Sorbet

     

    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.

  4. F321 Madeline Floral Vintage

     

    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.

  1. i514 Watercolour Garden Multi

     

    i514 Watercolour Garden Multi

    NEW
    £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.

  2. H386 Multi Leaves Rainbow

     

    H386 Multi Leaves Rainbow

    NEW
    £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.

  3. H385 Batik Palms Ink

     

    H385 Batik Palms Ink

    NEW
    £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.

  4. H384 Rouge Flowers Viscose Petrol

     

    H384 Rouge Flowers Viscose Petrol

    NEW
    £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.

  5. Posy Viscose Rouge W45

     

    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 

  6. F330 Moon Spot Midnight

     

    F330 Moon Spot Midnight

    £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.

  7. F328 Field Of Flowers Sorbet

     

    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.

  8. F327 Floral Leopard Aqua

     

    F327 Floral Leopard Aqua

    £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.

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.

  1. Washed Ramie Linen Look Mustard B134

     

    Washed Ramie Linen Look Mustard B134

    £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.

  2. Eco Washed Linen Lavender C260

     

    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 

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  4. Washed Ramie Linen Look Petrol B177

     

    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.

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

  1. Vintage Floral Red Pink C447

     

    Vintage Floral Red Pink C447

    £6.00 / Metre

    Floral cotton print 100% cotton, suitable for dressmaking and craft. Free samples available.

  2. Greta Floral - Vintage collection 41

     

    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.

  3. Mildred Bloom - Vintage collection 80

     

    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.

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  1. i514 Watercolour Garden Multi

     

    i514 Watercolour Garden Multi

    NEW
    £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.

  2. H386 Multi Leaves Rainbow

     

    H386 Multi Leaves Rainbow

    NEW
    £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.

  3. H385 Batik Palms Ink

     

    H385 Batik Palms Ink

    NEW
    £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.

  4. H384 Rouge Flowers Viscose Petrol

     

    H384 Rouge Flowers Viscose Petrol

    NEW
    £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.

  5. H324 Sixties Floral Viscose Magenta

     

    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.

  6. H323 Sixties Floral Viscose Turquoise

     

    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.

  7. H321 Savanna Viscose Mustard

     

    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.

  8. H317 Fuchsia Camomile Clusters Viscose

     

    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.

Skirt Video Tutorial

For more info and fabric suggestions click here

Sewing Patterns

  1. Tilly And The Buttons Mabel Dress and Top

     

    Tilly And The Buttons Mabel Dress and Top

    £15.00

    Make it yourself Tilly and the Buttons sewing pattern.

  2. Tilly And The Buttons Nell Dress and Top

     

    Tilly And The Buttons Nell Dress and Top

    £15.00

    Make it yourself Tilly and the Buttons sewing pattern.

  3. Named Kielo Wrap Dress & Jumpsuit Pattern

     

    Named Kielo Wrap Dress & Jumpsuit Pattern

    £22.00

    Kielo, wrap, dress, jumpsuit, pattern, named, sewing, sew, craft, crafting, 

  4. Tilly And The Buttons Thea Wide Leg Trousers

     

    Tilly And The Buttons Thea Wide Leg Trousers

    £15.00

    Make it yourself Tilly and the Buttons sewing pattern.

  5. Tilly And The Buttons Sonny Jacket

     

    Tilly And The Buttons Sonny Jacket

    £15.00

    Make it yourself Tilly and the Buttons sewing pattern.

  6. Friday Pattern Company The Wilder Gown Sewing Pattern

     

    Friday Pattern Company The Wilder Gown Sewing Pattern

    £19.00

    Make it yourself gown sewing pattern.

  7. Friday Pattern Company The Ilford Jacket Sewing Pattern

     

    Friday Pattern Company The Ilford Jacket Sewing Pattern

    OUT OF STOCK
    £19.00

    Make it yourself jacket sewing pattern.

  8. Friday Pattern Company The Arlo Track Jacket Sewing Pattern

     

    Friday Pattern Company The Arlo Track Jacket Sewing Pattern

    £19.00

    Make it yourself jacket sewing pattern.