Summer Sewing Projects

Summer is great time to practice your sewing skills, fabrics are lightweight and manageable and there are plenty of simple patterns from summer dresses to shorts that even a novice could pull off. Here are some simple dress, shorts and skirt patterns that are perfect for summer and easy to execute along with easy-to-sew, yet super trendy fabrics to construct them from.

Skirts

This semi-fitted skirt has a contour waist and yoke, pleats and a back zipper and is a very easy sewing pattern. The beauty about this pattern is that not only is the shape flattering on nearly any body type, but it can be adjusted to be any length. For a full, professional look use a stiffer, sold woven fabric like sandy tan rayon gabardine or light brown twill, for a bouncy, flirty effect use a lightweight fabric like challis or a Tencel. A super lightweight, flowing feminine skirt style like this extremely easy-to-sew pattern is a great summer piece; it’s breathable, cool and easy to pair. It can be made in a maxi length, above the knee and in shaped hem variations both front, back and side high-low. This style is particularly flattering in patterned crepe fabrics like white/pink crepe de chine and beige/black chevron crepe de chine and various linens.

Shorts

Everyone needs a pair of comfortable elastic-waist cloth shorts to throw on for those super hot days and luckily, these are one of the most basic sewing patterns for a garment. Use a terry cloth for a pair you can wear to the beach, linen for a versatile dress up or down style or a silk for a super comfortable style with a dressy appearance. These loose, above-the-knee, fly-front, semi-fitted, straight leg city shorts are another easy sewing project and are a breezy, comfortable style for summer wear. A perfect style to be made from a lightweight denim like smoky black denim or khaki tan stretch twill for a casual look or fabrics like, sterling twill stripe twill or navy blue fine line twill for a dressier, more professional appearance.

Dresses

The wrap dress is a super simple pattern with very few components and a variety of styles can be made from one pattern ranging in collar type, sleeve and skirt length. For summer, opt for a short sleeve or sleeveless style in a lightweight woven fabric like pale lavender shirting or sterling pewter grey denim or a lightweight jersey. Stick to a woven fabric if you are a beginner, as jersey is much more difficult to manipulate. The simple tank top sleeve jersey sheath dress is a summer wardrobe staple and a super easy sewing project, so why not save some benjamins and make your own this summer! With one pattern you can get 6 different styles including scoop neck, V-neck, maxi length, short, slit and even the trending high-low seam. This summer, multi-colored, lightweight jersey fabrics like tan/brown jersey knit are ever popular for this dress style.