Stitch your way to sunshine-ready style with the Asheville Dress Free Sewing Pattern! Perfect for capturing that relaxed yet refined seasonal vibe, this dress was created for sun-soaked days and breezy afternoons. The charming details of the sewing pattern combine comfort, craftsmanship, and chic into one must-make design.
Made from a breathable polyester and cotton seersucker, this garment offers lightweight texture and airy structure. A polyester lining adds extra softness to the top, while inseam pockets and a gathered skirt keep the design functional and fun. The standout features include shirred sleeve straps that add a touch of playful volume, a shirred back that offers flexible ease with a close fit, and a classic princess-seamed bodice that shapes the figure beautifully.
From garden parties to weekend brunches, the Asheville Dress is a highly versatile pattern! Pair it with strapped sandals and a sunhat for an effortless daytime look, or dress it up with espadrilles and statement jewelry for evening charm. Whether sewn in fresh pastels or vibrant prints, the seersucker fabric enhances the dress’s structure and personality. With its easy fit and elevated touches, the Asheville Dress will quickly become your favorite go-to look!
Essential Materials & Sizing Guide for The Asheville Dress
Here is the breakdown of what knowledge and materials you need for creating your very own dress! We’ve got you covered with the recommended materials we used—if you want to follow along exactly—as well as a curated list of alternative fabric recommendations if you want to customize your own version. The Asheville Dress Free Sewing Pattern download includes technical drawings for seam and silhouette visibility, plus a size chart to help you find your perfect fit!
Purchase Products Used Below:
Quantities indicated are for sewing a size small dress. Toggle the ‘SHOP THIS LOOK’ box to find quantities for other sizes.
- 3 yards of Polyester and Cotton Seersucker – Green and White Candy Stripes – Wylie Collection
- 1 yard of Polyester Lining Fabric – White – Margot Collection
- 2 yards of White Elastic – 0.25″
- 2 each of Dritz White Thin Beading Cord Elastic – 3 yd
- 1 spool of Gutermann Sew All Thread 250m – 20 White
- 1 spool of Gutermann Elastic Thread 10m – 5019 White
- MDF432 – Asheville Dress Sewing Pattern (Free download below!)
Alternative Fabric Recommendations:
The Asheville Dress is best suited for lightweight fashion fabrics.
Download Your Free Sewing Pattern
Submit your name and email in the form below to receive the Asheville Dress Free Sewing Pattern directly in your inbox. Mood Sewciety Patterns will send your free download via email with the subject line: ‘Your Free Download from Mood Sewciety’ (in PDF format for A4 and letter-size printing).
Find Your Perfect Fit
The size guide below is based on the suggested design & wearing ease for this style. You can choose the size according to your desired finished garment measurements, blending between sizes as needed. And/or measure the printed patterns to make sure the dimensions are according to the desired fitting and adjust—if needed—before cutting the fabric. For best results, sew a test garment in a similar fabric to adjust your pattern.
Note: if using non-stretch fabrics, reference the approximate finished garment measurements chart to choose your size.
How To Sew The Asheville Dress
The instructions provided are designed to guide you through sewing the main fabric and the lining fabric for the Asheville Dress simultaneously.
Sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance for all seams unless otherwise specified.
Step 1
TOP FRONT
Sew both Top Front Side pieces to the Top Front Center.
(Repeat this step for the lining)
Step 2
TOP FRONT LOWER
Sew Top Front Lower to the bottom of the front bodice.
(Repeat this step for the lining)
Step 3
SLEEVE STRAPS
Right sides together, sew the sides of the sleeve straps.
(Use the openings on each end to turn the sleeve right side out)
Step 4
ELASTIC SLEEVE STRAPS
Add elastic to the sleeve straps.
- Top stitch 3/8″ on both sides of the sleeve strap to create casings for elastic.
- Cut the elastic about 4-5 inches shorter than the strap.
- Use a safety pin to pass the elastic through the other end.
- Scrunch the strap & sew the ends of the elastic in place.
Step 5
FRONT NECKLINE
Join the main fabric & the lining at the front neckline.
- Pin the sleeve straps to the front.
- Right sides together, pin the lining over the main fabric with the straps facing down.
- Sew the main fabric and the lining together across the front neckline.
Step 6
BACK NECKLINE
Join the main fabric & the lining at the back neckline.
- Pin the other end of the sleeve straps to the back.
- Right sides together, pin the lining over the main fabric with the straps facing down.
- Sew the main fabric and the lining together across the back neckline.
Step 7
UNDER STITCH
Under stitch the front and back necklines by sewing the seam allowance to the lining 1/8″ from the seam.
Step 8
SHIRR THE BACK
Option A – Use elastic thread in the bobbin case to sew several rows of shirring on the back.
Option B – Sew several rows of casings to insert elastic strips.
Step 9
TOP SIDE SEAMS
Sew the front and back together at the side seams.
(Use a serger or finish the edges with a French seam)
Step 11
BOTTOM SIDE SEAMS
Sew front and back of the skirt together at the side seams.
Step 12
JOIN TOP & BOTTOM
Attach the bodice to the skirt at the waistline.
- Gather the front of the skirt’s waistline with a basting stitch.
- Stretch the back bodice to match the width of the skirt’s back panel.
- Sew the bodice and the skirt together around the waistline.
(Use a serger or finish the edges with a French seam)
Step 13
1/2″ HEM
Finish the bottom by hemming all around the bottom of the skirt.
(Sew a regular hem with serged edges or finish with a 1/4″ double-folded hem)
The Completed Asheville Dress Free Sewing Pattern by Mood Fabrics
We can’t wait to see your version of the Asheville Dress! Whether you choose poplin, rayon, or a breezy linen, this pattern is the perfect canvas for your creativity and sewing skills.
Share this post with a friend (or two!), download the Asheville Dress Free Sewing Pattern, and show us which fabrics and colors you choose, using the hashtags #MoodAshevillePattern & #MadeWithMood.
Beautiful can’t wait to make this dress,
Thank you! We hope you have a wonderful time creating this dress. 🙂
Can’t wait to make this!
Exciting to hear that you will be making this dress your own! Happy Sewing 🙂
I’ve been looking for a pattern just like this! Every year I resolve to Wear More Dresses, so in preparation for this summer I’ve been sewing dresses for several months now–but all shirtdresses (with some variations like pintucks) or wrap dresses. I was just thinking last night how I wanted to branch out and try a dress like this. I’m so excited! Thank you!
(And thank you for the very helpful instructions *and* for posing the model in such a way that we can actually see the full dress itself and its lines, instead of in profile, in motion, or partially obscured.)
We are happy to hear and we hope you enjoy adding the Asheville Dress to your collection!
I have the perfect floral fabric from my Mood Mystery box for this pattern! I can’t wait to make it and I love my Mystery Box!
That is so great to hear! We hope you enjoy using the beautiful floral fabric to create this wonderful pattern. 🙂
Would not let me edit my previous comment . . . but is there an “Instruction #12”? It skips from #11 to #13. Missing an instruction (doesn’t read like there is missing information) or just skipped a number?
Hello, the number was accidentally skipped but we made the update, thank you!
Hello thank you for this pattern I can’t wait to make it ! How long should each elastic band be in the back ? Thank you !
Hello, depending on what size you are making, the elastic should be 4-5 inches shorter than the back.
I can’t wait to start. It looks so fresh. The instructions are very specific which makes it easy and fun
Thank you, we are very happy to hear that you will make it your own. Happy sewing! 🙂
I finished this dress today
It came out really beautiful
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern
WE are glad to hear it came out beautifully! We hope that you continue enjoying from the free sewing patterns at Mood! 🙂
What did you use the thin beading elastic for in the end ? Was it for the back shirring ?
Yes, we used the thin elastic for the shirring on the back, but you can also create this look by using elastic thread in the bobbin case.