
It’s time to head to the beach in style, so grab your sunscreen and don’t forget to bring your cover-up! Our Callisia Cover-Up free sewing pattern is so versatile since there are countless ways to wear it. At full-length, with double-puff bishop sleeves, it drapes beautifully over any swimsuit or pair of jeans. This breathtaking semi-sheer cotton will keep you cute and cool as you sit by the pool! Looking for fabric options with drape? While I used Mood’s exclusive Ishvara’s Wisdom floral cotton voile for my cover-up, try using silk chiffon or poly charmeuse for a version that will truly flow. How do you plan on styling your Callisia Cover-Up? Let us know!


Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 4 yards Mood Exclusive Ishvara’s Wisdom Cotton Voile
- 1 spool of 1006 White 250m Gutermann Natural Cotton Thread
- MDF152 – The Callisia cover-up Free Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Recommended Fabrics:
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.

Here’s how to sew: (I suggest using French seams for durability)
Step 1
First, attach the front bodice to the back at the side and shoulder seams.
Step 2
Next, using a basting stitch, gather the waist.
Step 3
Next, we can work on the bottom skirt.
Pin the back skirt panels together and stitch.
Step 4
Then attach the front skirt panels at the side seams.
Step 5
Pin the top bodice and the bottom skirt together at the waist seam and stitch. Finish by using a French seam.
We’ll add on the waistband detail later.

Step 6
After you press your French seam at the waist, pin the back neckband and front neckband pieces together along the entire length.
Step 7
Now we can assemble the sleeves. On the upper sleeve, use a basting stitch to slightly gather the cap.
Step 8
Next, sew the sleeve along the inseam. Use a basting stitch to gather the bottom edge of the upper sleeve.
Step 9
On the lower sleeve, you are going to sew down the inseam first, then gather the bottom edge as shown.
Step 10
Next, attach the lower sleeve to the upper sleeve using the sleeve band. You will need two pieces for each side. Once sewn together, you will create the casing for the elastic.
Step 11
Use your sleeve band pattern as a guide to cut your elastic. Cut it about 1- 1.5″ shorter than your pattern.
Step 12
Make sure to leave a small opening in the casing to insert your elastic.
Step 13
Once you have the elastic in, you can top stitch along the edge to close.
Step 14
To finish the sleeves, all you have to do now is add the cuff. Sew each cuff piece at the side seams and sew.
Step 15
Step Pin the cuff to the sleeve opening and sew all the way around. Next, fold in the cuff facing and topstitch along the inside to finish.
Step 16
Now, pin your neck facing all the way around the front opening and sew.
Step 17
Attach your waistband pieces at the side seams and sew. Press all seam allowances inward. Now pin your waistband directly over the waist and topstitch it in place.
Step 18
All that’s left to do is hem the bottom edge!
This is a gorgeous wrap, thanks so much for the pattern and photos.
Thank you very much! I’m happy to know you enjoy the patterns. Happy sewing!
Gorgeous!
Thank you, Pearline!
This is STUNNING!! Pattern AND fabric choice. <3
There is NO mood fabric store in my region. SMH. I really wish there was. Most fabric stores are geared to quilting.
Hi Pearline! I’m so sorry to hear that! You can always shop with us online. Our swatch club is a great way to sample fabrics you may not have access to. I personally love how large the swatches are! It’s such a great tool!
Thank you so much! I LOVE the fabric too!
Hi Deborah! You are very welcome! Cotton voile is a dream to work with!
That looks so lovely.I’m going to try to make that!
Hi Mary, Thank you!
Love this pattern and starting to see now.
My front bodice and back bodice totally off by an inch in length. Checked my print out and it’s the same on them. Is this normal? How should I alter it to fit properly? Spent ages cutting don’t want to ruin it.
Hi, Tracy! Do you mind if I ask which size you’re making? And where are they not lining up – the side seam?
Completely gorgeous wrap that I would wear it all the time!!!!!!!!!!
Does it have any kind of fastening at the waistband? I can’t see any sign of one… Wonder whether it would be possible to add anything, or would it be better without?
Hi! Yes, you could use a hook and eye closure to fasten the waistband if you want to wear it closed. Place one at the top and bottom of the width of the waistband and that should work just fine!
Love, love, love! Definitely making this for my upcoming trip to Barbados 🙂
Thank you, Esha! Make sure you tag us #madewithmood so I can see how great you look! 🙂
This is gorgeous! I was wondering if it would make a mother of the bride/groom outfit over a simple dress.
Hi Melanee, yes this would absolutely work over a simple dress! It could also be stunning in charmeuse or a lovey silk print as well!
Gorgeous and adaptable throughout the summer!
Hi Marian! Thank you very much! This pattern is so versatile! You could even carry it into early Fall.
This is a gorgeous pattern!! I was told to limit my sun exposure but I think this will help me enjoy the sunshine just a bit longer! And I am sure it will turn into a light jacket too.
Can’t wait to get to work <3
Gorgeous
Wow! This is gorgeous! I love the unique sleeve! Thank you!!!
Beautiful dress. Thank you for making this pattern available. I am new to sewing and will love to try my hands on it.
This is perfect for the look I am trying to recreate – thank you so much for your hard work- you are very talented!!
Im so excited to sew this! as a petite person, 5’1″- Ill have to chop several inches in length. Do you recommend taking away length at the waist? in the middle? or just off of the hem. I worry taking all of the length off at the hem will lessen the flowy, drapey, dreamy effect.
Hi, Ashley! You could take it off at the waist – it would make the new waistline of the skirt wider than the waistline of the bodice though, so the skirt would gather into the waistband a bit (which could be a lovely alteration!).
Thank you Courtney! That was kind of my thought as well… just curious about other thoughts 🙂
is it possible to omit the waistband and if so how would I go about it? Thanks In advance
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Best regards,
The Mood Sewciety Blog Team
Hello there,
I’m sewing this up and was wondering what to do with the skirt band? Does it attach to the front and back waistbands? Also 4 of them? Please help!
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Best regards,
The Mood Sewciety Blog Team
Hello,
I’m not sure what to do with this long waistband piece that I’m supposed to cut 4 of? If I could get some help that would be great.
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
I made this using a gauze fabric. Love it! For anyone thinking of making this, be aware the instructions are confusing and (very) incomplete. But if you’ve done some sewing before, you’ll figure it out.