If there’s one trend that will come back year after year, it’s the sweater dress. In 2020, we’re seeing it at it’s most versatile. Labels are putting them out at every length and color and we can see why. Designed to be effortless, our free Citrus Dress sewing pattern can fit itself into any wardrobe. Go classic like ours with a dark and cozy rib knit or cut it shorter and try a liquid sheen jersey for an outfit that’s perfectly fit for a night out!
A huge shout out and thank you to The Rosé Mansion for providing the gorgeous background for this photo shoot. Follow them on Instagram!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 2.5 yards Italian Black 2×2 Wool Rib Knit
- 8-9 Light Brown Faux Leather Plastic Buttons – 44L/27mm
- 1 spool of 10 Black 1000m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- MDF184 – The Citrus Dress 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.
This dress is one of the simplest makes I’ve done recently and I can’t wait to make it over and over again.
Step 1
To sew, begin by pinning your faux button placket to your front dress panel, following the guidelines on your pattern. Fold the raw edges inward 1/2″ as you pin and then top-stitch the placket down with the longest straight stitch available on your machine.
Step 2
Using a stretch stitch, sew up your center back seam and attach the front and back of your dress at the shoulders and side seams.
Step 3
Next, your sleeves are ready to attach! Sew up the inseam with a stretch stitch again, making sure to make two mirrored sleeves, and then set them into each of your armscyes. Match up all of your notches and attach with another stretch stitch.
Step 4
To finish the actual dress construction, fold your collar piece in half to form the center back seam, like you see below, and then fold it in half again in the opposite direction (so it’s half as tall) before setting it into your neckline.
Step 5
Add your buttons along the placket and your dress is ready to wear!
A huge shout out and thank you to The Rosé Mansion for providing the gorgeous background for this photo shoot. Follow them on Instagram!
Very cute dress! I love the button details.
Çok güzel desen
Nihao, So we will need to use very good strech knit fabric? do we need to add a zipper on back??
Hi Jane, we’re sorry for the delay in responding to your question! We get dozens of comments and questions each day, and so many questions get buried and, unfortunately, unanswered. We are now focusing user support on patterns 2 years and newer. We hope this will prevent questions on our more current patterns from going unanswered. Although this is late, we wanted to respond in case anyone else has the same question: this pattern does require stretch so you would need to use a good stretch knit fabric, thus you would not need to add a zipper on the back 🙂
Fab dress, love the buttons!
What is the ease included in this?
Very nice dress….especially buttons!!!
I love the silhouette of this dress so much. So easy to make, that I made three. Thank you.
Love it! Although I’m not keen on using a rib knit, can this dress be made in woven fabric? and if yes can anyone suggest a few types as I’m a beginner.
Hi there! Unfortunately, this pattern requires stretch so some type of knit would work best.
Love this!!
Hi, I wanted to make this dress. I downloaded the pattern, but I am unsure how to see which lines are for what size. Thanks so much in advance.
Hi Meghan! There’s a size guide on each pattern piece that lets you know which line corresponds to each size. 🙂
I love your version of this dress! Do you need to finish the edges, and if so, what would you recommend? Also, would you join the two back pieces together as one of the first steps? Sorry for all the questions! But thank you 🙂
Hi Rachael! Yes, I sewed up the center back seam as I attached the front and back dress pieces. Also, the fabric I used was really great because I didn’t have to hem it, but you could use a 1/4″ or 1/2″ rolled hem and a basic stretch stitch or overlock stitch to complete. 🙂
Are the bust measurements for the high bust or full bust? Thanks!
Hi Robyn! They’re for the full bust.
Çok güzel desen
Your version is one heck of a beautiful dress. I have some rib knit in my stash and it would be perfect for this dress. Plus I saved a very similar style in my Pinterest files. How did you create the faux placket, e.g., width amount and seams allowances used to create it?
Hi Tonya, thank you so much! The placket piece is included in the pattern and includes 1/2″ seam allowances. 🙂
I’m sorry I dont understand the folding prior to attaching collar. Are you folding to divide into 4 so you attach each quarter to quarter of the neckline to attach evenly or is it for another reason? Also do you sew it into a ring or do you finish the edges instead. Thanks.
Hi Julia! No, the second folding in half of the collar should be in the opposite direction so the fold is along the top of the collar. Let me know if it’s still giving you trouble!
Thank you so much for this lovely pattern , such an easy make
I absolutely love this dress. It is not your typical sweater dress. I can’t wait to make it!
Hi Courtney, are the seam allowences included in the pattern or do I need to add 1/2 inch to the fabric?
Hi, Anne! The 1/2″ is already included. 🙂
GRACIAS ESTA GENIAL
This is the very first piece of clothing I made! I used a fine knit jersey ,some metal square buttons and made it shorter, just above the knee, since I know that I don’t look good on longer dresses (I’m a short gal lol). It turned out amazing! Needless to say it’s my favourite dress in my closet! Definitely a piece I will be making again in the future since it was effortless to make. Thank you very much!
Would it work with this pattern to attach the sleeves before sewing up the side seams, then making one long seam from the sleeve to the bottom of the side seam?
Yes, you can certainly sew it that way too! 🙂
Espero recibir mi molde. Estoy encantada de recibir! Gracias!
Hi, I would like to sew this dress in a silky fabric (no stretch) because i have one that would look beautiful with this pattern. Do you think it would be possible if i add an invisible zipper on the side or make de button placket functional? Thanks
Hi Marine, as this pattern was drafted for knit fabric, we don’t recommend using a non stretch fabric as-is. You may need to adjust your size.
We are currently focusing our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years, and so we aren’t able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
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
I recently made this dress with a non-knit fabric, by increasing the size and adding an invisible zipper. The recommendation is a knit fabric because there would be too many alterations to the instructions that would be needed to make it any other way but if you want to see how I did it, you can check out my video here. I hope this is helpful. https://youtu.be/y1iIgCpchyc
would it work with a cotton rib knit?
Yes, this would also be nice in a cotton rib knit
This says to look at the instructions on the pattern in order to place the button placket in the correct spot but the pattern didn’t come with directions so I’m a little confused how to place the placket.
Hello Dalia, this is referring to the written instructions found on this post along the with corresponding images of progress.
Wanting to try this adorable dress pattern. Does it require 2.5 yards regardless of the size (2-30)?
Hello, for yardage required for this dress increases as the size gets bigger. For sizes 0-14, 3 yards is required. For sizes 16-30, 4 yards is required. You may have some fabric left over in case you need to recut any pieces.