Boho dresses are loved for their relaxed silhouettes, flowing shapes, and effortless comfort. They combine feminine details with easy wearability, making them perfect for everyday outfits, vacations, and warm-weather wardrobes. Sewists enjoy making boho dresses because they are comfortable to wear, versatile to style, and rewarding to sew.
The Ivy Boho Dress Sewing Pattern by Winslet's is an easy sewing project featuring a wrap-style V-neckline, long raglan sleeves with elastic cuffs, and a gathered skirt. Designed for lightweight woven fabrics, it creates a comfortable and flattering dress with beautiful movement and drape.
Why Sew a Boho Dress?
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Creates a relaxed and comfortable everyday dress.
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Flattering V-neckline adds a feminine touch.
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Gathered skirt provides beautiful movement and flow.
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Long sleeves make it suitable for multiple seasons.
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Elastic cuffs offer comfort and an easy fit.
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Works beautifully in lightweight fabrics with drape.
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A beginner-friendly project with stylish results.
Why Choose the Winslet's Ivy Boho Dress Pattern?
The Ivy Boho Dress Pattern is designed to help sewists create a comfortable boho-inspired dress with soft gathers and an easy-to-wear silhouette.
Skill Level: Easy
Key Features:
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Wrap-style V-neckline
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Long raglan sleeves
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Elastic sleeve cuffs
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Gathered skirt
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Relaxed silhouette
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Lightweight woven fabric construction
Available Sizes: US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
You will need:
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Tape measure
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Fabric shears
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Iron
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Chalk
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Thread cutter
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Pins
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Sewing machine
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Sewing needles
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3-ply polyester thread
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Elastic strip (3 mm)
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Binder attachment
Fabric Recommendations
Use lightweight fabrics such as:
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100% Cotton
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Cotton Blend
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Silk Blend
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Jersey
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Crepe
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Georgette
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Viscose
The model in the photograph is wearing the dress made from moss crepe fabric (viscose).
Size Charts
Check the size charts and measure yourself to select the correct size, using the garment and body measurement tables in the guide.
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table in the guide.
Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare
Prepare the following pattern pieces:
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Front – Cut 2 Fabric
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Back – Cut 1 Fabric
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Sleeve – Cut 2 Fabric
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Bottom – Cut 2 Fabric
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Neck Binding – Cut 2 Fabric
Pattern Marking
The pattern includes the following markings:
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Grainline
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Neckline
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Waistline
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Gather marking
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Back armhole notch
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Front armhole notch
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Armhole
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Sleeve cuff
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Pointed notch
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Center back
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Hem
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Mid-notch
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Side seam
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Seam allowance
Transfer all markings before sewing to ensure accurate assembly.
Cutting Layout
The cutting layout helps ensure that your garment is cut accurately on grain.
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Align all grainline arrows parallel to the fabric selvage.
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Pin pattern pieces securely before cutting.
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The layouts provided are nondirectional.
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Purchase additional fabric if using directional prints or fabrics with nap.
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Separate layouts are provided for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths.
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The illustrated layouts use a Large size for demonstration.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams. Begin by positioning the pieces on the fabric, ensuring that the grainline arrow runs parallel to the selvage.
If you are using fabric shears, trace the pattern pieces and then cut them out, cutting away any pen, pencil, or chalk lines. Remember to cut out any notches that appear on the edges. These markings help line up the pieces when you assemble the garment.
Use your marking pen, pencil, or chalk to transfer the markings (such as circles, buttonholes, and fold lines) to the wrong side of the fabric. Mark the center front of pieces cut on the fold, as this will help you align pieces accurately.
Seam Allowance
Please follow the seam allowances as indicated on the pattern file layers. These are provided specifically for each piece to ensure accurate construction.
This pattern uses a 1.1 cm (or 0.45 inch) seam allowance all around, 1.9 cm (or 0.75 inch) at the hem, 1 cm (or 0.39 inch) at the necklines, and 0.9 cm (or 0.36 inch) at the front neckline.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
1. Create Gathers on the Sleeve Neckline
1a. Set your sewing machine to a 5–7 mm stitch length and sew basting stitches between the seam allowances of the sleeve neckline.
1b. Tie the threads of the basting stitch at one end. Pull the thread from the other end to create gathers.
Adjust the gathered neckline to the following preferred lengths:
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XS: 4"
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S: 4.25"
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M: 4.5"
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L: 4.75"
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XL: 5"
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XXL: 5.25"
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XXXL: 5.5"
2. Attach the Raglan Sleeves
- Position the raglan sleeves on the Front and Back pieces.
- Place the back armhole of the sleeve on the Back piece with right sides together.
- Pin and sew.
- Repeat the same process for all remaining armhole seams until both sleeves are attached.
3. Bind the Neckline
- Use a binding presser foot to bind the neckline.
- Measure the binding strip. If the provided strip is insufficient, cut additional binding from the recommended pattern piece.
- Place the binding strip inside the binder and stitch approximately 1 inch to secure it.
- Insert the neckline seam allowance into the binding and sew from one end of the neckline to the other.
- Trim away any excess binding strip.
- If you do not have a binder attachment, attach the binding to the neckline with right sides together, wrap it around the seam allowance, press neatly, and sew along the edge to finish.
4. Create Elastic Sleeve Cuffs
4a. Fold the 0.5 cm seam allowance of the sleeve cuff to the wrong side and press.
4b. Fold again along the sleeve cuff seamline and press. Sew along the 0.5 cm folded edge to create the casing.
4c. Measure elastic to fit your wrist comfortably and insert it into the casing.
4d. Stretch the elastic and sew basting stitches on it to create gathers.
5. Create the Wrap Front
- Match the notches of the Front pieces to create the wrapped front effect.
- The pointed notch of the left Front piece should align with the mid-notch of the right Front waistline.
- Use basting stitches to hold the overlap in place.
6. Create Gathers on the Skirt and Attach to the Bodice
6a. Follow Step 1a to create basting stitches along the Bottom waistline.
6b. Tie the threads at one end and pull the opposite thread to create gathers. Adjust the gathers until the Front Bottom waistline matches the Front waistline.
6c. Sew the Front Bottom to the Front bodice.
6d. Repeat the same process for the Back Bottom and Back bodice pieces.
7. Sew the Side Seams
- Place the dress with right sides together.
- Match the side seams and sew both side seams.
8. Hem the Dress
- Fold the hem seam allowance approximately 1 cm and press.
- Fold the hem again to the wrong side from the seamline.
- Sew along the folded edge around the entire hem.
Ready to Sew Your Own Boho Dress?
The Ivy Boho Dress combines a flattering wrap-style V-neckline, flowing gathered skirt, and comfortable raglan sleeves to create a dress that's both stylish and easy to wear. Its relaxed silhouette and simple construction make it an enjoyable project for sewists looking to create a versatile handmade garment.
Whether you choose soft viscose, lightweight cotton, flowing georgette, or elegant crepe, this dress offers beautiful drape and everyday comfort.
Ready to add a comfortable handmade dress to your wardrobe? The Ivy Boho Dress Sewing Pattern is a rewarding project that combines simple techniques with beautiful results.
Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Ivy Boho Dress on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
