Sundress midi dresses are a favorite among sewists because they combine comfort, style, and versatility in one garment. Their lightweight construction, feminine silhouette, and easy wearability make them ideal for warm-weather wardrobes, vacations, casual outings, and special occasions.
The Fiona Sundress Midi Dress Sewing Pattern by Winslet's is a beautiful intermediate-level project featuring adjustable straps, side pockets, a back zipper, shirred back panel, and a flowing tiered midi skirt. Designed for lightweight woven fabrics, it creates a flattering fit with thoughtful details and everyday practicality.
Why Sew a Sundress Midi Dress?
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Creates a comfortable and feminine warm-weather outfit.
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Adjustable straps allow for a personalized fit.
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Shirred back panel adds comfort and flexibility.
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Side pockets provide everyday functionality.
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Tiered skirt construction creates beautiful movement and volume.
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Midi length offers versatile styling options.
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Lightweight fabrics make it breathable and comfortable to wear.
Why Choose the Winslet's Fiona Sundress Midi Dress Pattern?
The Fiona Sundress Midi Dress Pattern combines elegant design details with practical construction techniques to create a polished handmade garment.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Key Features:
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Adjustable shoulder straps
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Shirred back panel
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Side pockets
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Concealed back zipper
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Drawstring waist detail
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Tiered midi-length skirt
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Fully lined lower skirt section
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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Loop rings
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Adjustable slide buckles
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20-inch zipper
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Elastic thread
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Elastic band
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Serger (optional)
Fabric Recommendations
Recommended fabrics include:
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Lightweight cotton voile
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Cotton lawn
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Cotton poplin
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Rayon challis
The model is wearing a dress made from cotton cambric fabric.
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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Center Front Top – Cut 1 Fabric
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Center Front Bottom – Cut 1 Fabric
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Side Front – Cut 2 Fabric
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Side Back – Cut 2 Fabric
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First Front Frill – Cut 1 Fabric
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First Back Frill – Cut 2 Fabric
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Front Bottom – Cut 1 Fabric
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Back Bottom – Cut 2 Fabric
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Side Front Pocket – Cut 4 Lining Fabric
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Front Bottom Lining – Cut 1 Lining Fabric
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Back Bottom Lining – Cut 2 Lining Fabric
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Center Front Top (Lining) – Cut 1 Fabric
Additional sewing template:
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Shirred Ready Back (used during construction and does not require fabric cutting)
Pattern Marking
The pattern includes the following markings:
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Center front notch
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Front armhole
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Pocket opening notch
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Pocket front
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Pocket curve
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Under bust gathers guideline
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Smocking guideline
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Elastic tunnel
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Under bust notches
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Side under bust seam notch
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Panel seam
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Front neckline
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Back neckline
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Side seam notch
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Back side seam notch
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Zip notch
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Gather guideline
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Waist round
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Hemline
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Center front
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Center back
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Grainline
Transfer all markings carefully before sewing to ensure accurate construction.
Cutting Layout
The cutting layouts are provided for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths.
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Position all pattern pieces with grainlines parallel to the selvage.
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Pin pieces securely before cutting.
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Layouts are nondirectional.
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Purchase additional fabric when using directional prints or fabrics with nap.
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Separate layouts are provided for shell fabric and lining fabric.
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Medium size is used for demonstration purposes in the layout diagrams.
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 to the wrong side of the fabric. Mark center fronts and any alignment notches to ensure accurate assembly.
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 1.3 cm (or 1/2”) seam allowance all around, 10.2 cm (or 4”) at the hem of the front bottom and back bottom, and 2 cm (or 3/4”) at the hem of the front bottom lining and back bottom lining.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
1. Prepare the Neckline Elastic Tunnel
1a. Place both center front top pieces on top of each other with right sides together. Align the top edges and stitch along the neckline seam.
1b. Turn the lining piece to the wrong side of the shell fabric and topstitch along the seam to create the elastic tunnel.
1c. Cut an elastic band equal to 3/4 of the center front neckline measurement. Insert it into the tunnel and stitch both ends securely in place.
2. Prepare the Front Gathers
2a. Sew basting stitches along the bottom edge of both center front pieces together.
2b. Pull the threads to create gathers. Distribute the gathers evenly until the gathered length matches the center front bottom underbust seam.
2c. Stitch over the basting area to secure the gathers.
3. Attach the Center Front Bottom
- Place the center front bottom piece onto the prepared center front panel with right sides together.
- Align the underbust notches and stitch along the seamline.
4. Attach the Side Front Panels
- Place both side front pieces onto the prepared center front piece with right sides together.
- Align the side underbust seam notches with the underbust seam and stitch along the panel seamline.
- Press the seams open.
5. Prepare the Shirred Back Panel
5a. Cut two squares of shell fabric measuring 15 x 15 inches.
5b. Mark approximately 20 horizontal lines on each panel, spacing them 0.5 inches apart.
5c. Wind shirring elastic onto the bobbin without overstretching it. Use regular polyester thread in the needle.
Set the machine to a long straight stitch and sew the shirring rows on the right side of the fabric. Back-tack at both ends and steam the finished shirring.
5d. Place the provided ready-back pattern over the shirred panel in a relaxed state. Trim the shirred panel to match the pattern dimensions and transfer the pattern markings. Overlock the side edges.
6. Attach the Side Back Panels
- Place the left side back panel onto the shirred back panel with right sides together and stitch along the seamline.
- Repeat for the right side back panel.
- Press seams open.
7. Prepare Gathers on the Bottom Pieces
7a. Sew basting stitches along the top edge of the front bottom piece and both back bottom pieces.
7b. Pull the threads to create gathers.
The gathered front bottom should match the bottom edge of the first front frill.
Each gathered back bottom piece should match the bottom edge of one first back frill piece.
7c. Secure the gathers by stitching over the basting area.
8. Attach the Side Pockets
8a. Place one pocket piece on the first front frill with right sides together, aligning the pocket opening notches. Stitch between the notches and clip the inside corner.
8b. Clip the pocket opening notches. Turn the pocket piece to the wrong side, press, and edgestitch the opening.
Repeat for the opposite side.
8c. Fold the pocket piece toward the wrong side of the front frill and press.
8d. Place the second pocket piece over the first pocket piece with right sides together. Align the pocket opening notches and pocket curve. Stitch around the pocket.
Repeat for the opposite side pocket.
9. Join the Front and Back Frills
- Place the back frill over the front frill with right sides together and align the side seams.
- Stitch the side seams, making sure not to sew through the pocket openings.
- Repeat for the opposite side.
10. Join the Bottom Panels
- Place one prepared back bottom piece onto the prepared front bottom piece with right sides together.
- Stitch the side seam.
- Repeat for the second back bottom piece.
11. Finish the Top Edge of the Bottom
Overlock the top edge of the prepared bottom section of the dress.
12. Attach the First Frill to the Bottom
- Place the wrong side of the prepared bottom over the right side of the prepared first frill.
- Align the waist seamline so the overlocked edge of the bottom protrudes on the right side.
- Stitch along the seamline.
13. Assemble the Bottom Lining
- Place the back bottom lining pieces onto the front bottom lining with right sides together.
- Stitch the side seams.
- Repeat for the second side seam.
14. Attach the Bottom Lining
- Place the right side of the prepared bottom lining around the wrong side of the prepared shell fabric bottom.
- Align the waistline and stitch around the waist seam.
15. Join the Front and Back Bodice
- Place the prepared back top onto the prepared front top with right sides together.
- Align the side seams and stitch.
16. Attach the Bodice to the Skirt
- Place the prepared top around the prepared bottom with right sides together.
- Align the waist seam and stitch around the seamline.
17. Make the Adjustable Straps
17a. Cut two fabric strips measuring 2.5 inches wide and 18 inches long following the grainline.
17b. Fold each strip lengthwise with right sides together and press.
17c. Stitch along the open edge using a 3/8-inch seam allowance.
17d. Turn the tubes right side out.
17e. Divide each tube into two pieces: one measuring 11 inches and one measuring 5 inches.
17f. Insert the 11-inch strap through an adjustable slide buckle. Fold the end back and secure with lock and back stitches.
17g. Thread the free end through a strap ring and back through the slide buckle.
17h. Loop one end of the 5-inch strap through the ring and secure with lock and back stitches.
Repeat for the second strap.
18. Attach the Straps
- Attach the front end of each strap near the adjustable slide buckle to the front bodice.
- Attach the ring end to the side back seam.
- Secure with lock stitches on the wrong side of the bodice.
19. Insert the Concealed Zipper
19a. Position the open zipper on the center back seam with right sides together and stitch using a zipper foot.
19b. Turn the dress wrong side out and stitch the opposite side of the zipper to the second back panel, folding the seam allowance inside.
19c. Turn the dress right side out and topstitch along the zipper edge to cover the zipper seam.
Finish the bottom of the zipper seam with a lock stitch on the wrong side.
20. Hem the Dress
- Fold the hem once at 0.5 inches and then fold again along the hemline.
- Stitch along the folded edge.
- Repeat the same process for the bottom lining hem.
21. Prepare and Attach the Drawstring Tunnel
21a. Cut two fabric strips 2 inches wide and half the waist round measurement in length.
21b. Fold 0.5 inches on all four sides of each strip toward the wrong side and press.
21c. Stitch along one side edge of each strip to create the drawstring opening.
21d. Place one tunnel strip over the waist seam on the right side of the dress.
Position the opening at the center front and stitch in place, starting at the back zipper seam.
Secure the tunnel with lock stitches at the top, bottom, and center back.
Repeat for the second tunnel strip.
22. Make and Insert the Drawstrings
22a. Cut two fabric strips measuring 2.5 inches wide and 45 inches long following the grainline.
22b. Fold each strip lengthwise with right sides together and press.
22c. Stitch along the open edge using a 0.4-inch seam allowance.
22d. Turn the tubes right side out.
22e. Insert each drawstring through the tunnel opening until it reaches the center back.
Secure with backstitches at the center back edge.
Repeat for the opposite side.
Ready to Sew Your Own Sundress Midi Dress?
The Fiona Sundress Midi Dress combines elegant details with practical features to create a beautiful handmade wardrobe staple. With its adjustable straps, comfortable shirred back panel, concealed zipper, side pockets, and flowing tiered skirt, it offers both style and functionality.
Whether sewn in cotton voile, rayon challis, cotton lawn, or cotton cambric, this dress is designed to showcase lightweight fabrics beautifully while providing a flattering fit.
Ready to create your own handmade summer dress? The Fiona Sundress Midi Dress Sewing Pattern is a rewarding project that combines garment construction techniques with a polished finished result.
Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Fiona Sundress Midi Dress on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
