I couldn’t imagine summer without the perfect maxi knit dress! The Mallow Dress free sewing pattern is everything you need to complete your warm-weather wardrobe and transition into the next season. This belted faux wrap dress is sleek, sexy, and comfort all rolled into one look! I wanted every inch to drape like a dream and Mood Fabrics’ supple bamboo jersey was a perfect choice. Whether you want to style your dress with a pair of heels or sneakers, you can’t go wrong! Try using velour or cotton chambray to bring your look into fall. How do you plan to wear your Mallow dress?
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 4 yards of Green Stretch Bamboo Jersey
- 2 spools 712 Chartreuse 250m Gutermann thread
- MDF164 – The Mallow 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.
Here’s how to sew:
First, pin the front and back bodice together at the side and shoulder seams then sew.
Next, prepare cuff to be sewn to the sleeve opening. Fold and press cuff, then pin to sleeve opening and stitch in place. Roll back cuff and tack in place to finish.
To complete the neck opening, use a rolled hem and stitch to finish. Press.
Next, use a basting stitch to gather in the waist of the bodice and repeat with the skirt.
Now, you can work on the bottom skirt portion. Stitch skirt panels together at the center back seam and press.
Using a rolled hem stitch, finish the entire edge of the skirt and press.
Overlap skirt matching notches on both sides of the waist, gathering in between the notches. Tack in place.
Attach both belt pieces together and sew along the center back seam. Press.
Next, fold over the belt lengthwise and stitch. Clip the edges as shown. Make sure to leave a small 2″ opening for turning the belt right side out. Turn belt and press.
You can self draft small belt loops or use thread to create chain loops to keep the belt in place.
That’s it! You’re done! This dress will pull-on and off with ease. Use the belt the cinch the waist and style as desired.
35 comments
Beautifull, it is a perfect dress for special date. Congratulations
Thank you!
This is beautiful. Easy to dress up or down.
Thanks Beth! Yes, it was really comfy with sneakers as well 🙂
I love your design. I will definitely make one.
Thank you! I think I’ll make another one as well. Maybe a warmer color for Fall!
I love this dress. It is really flowery and the length is just right on. I can’t wait to start on this dress.
Fabulous dres, I would love to make this dress.
Hi! I’m really looking forward to making this dress! However, I’m having a hard time getting the print settings right. This is my first time printing a downloaded pattern. I only printed the title page first to check for accuracy and it was good, but when I printed the rest of the pages, it moved around the borders and cut off the bottom portion of the page. I changed it from “scale 100%” to “fit to page” to “fit to printable area” but none of those came out properly either. It is also set to US letter. What am I doing wrong? Thanks!
Hi Kaitlyn! The pages should be printed at 100% – it’ll print with a gap along the bottom and right edges to account for the overlap when you tape the pages together.
Sooooo pretty! & great for all seasons! Will look great with sandals or thigh high boots & a blazer
What are the seams allowances?
Hi, Janice! A 1/2″ seam allowance is included. 🙂
made this dress and love it! used regular cotton fabric; shortened the bodice and did an elastic waistband instead to reduce bulk on my petite frame; had to enlarge the neck opening; did not do sleeve cuff-just a rolled 1/4” hem on arm holes and neck opening; had to shorten skirt. seems like a lot, but was a solid pattern to start with.
Very nice dress, I especially like the top part. Just a heads up: when printing, the page marked “30” doesn’t exist and “31” is there twice. Unlikely to cause issues, but still worth noting. Thanks for this wonderful free pattern!
I looked at the size chart, but is there somewhere that it tells how much fabric to buy? Am I just missing it somewhere?
Hi Heather! It’s included in the ‘Shop this Look’ widget. 🙂
I’ll love to try this out as soon as I get ink for my printer. It’s simple and beautiful
I love the look of this so much – I’ve made just the top, and am kind of loving just wearing that (without the gathers). Thanks so much for the pattern!
Same here I made just the top and cropped it a little bit. Loved the look. Had to make a second.
If I’m doing this with a non stretch how should I modify so I can still put it on?
Hi, Rachel! The only thing you may want to do is widen the neckline so it fits over your head. You can size up if you want to as well, but it’s a fairly loose fit already that just gets cinched at the waist with the belt. 🙂
I made the bodice alone as a top (lengthened a bit) and have now made three! The neckline is weirdly narrow in the smaller sizes but otherwise brilliant and I love the sleeve cuffs. It’s a definite TNT for me now. Photos on IG @cakeymcdoodle
Just made this the fabric sews up beautifully, the pattern is very simple and a great fit, beautiful proportions and drape. I would love to sew up a couple more in different colours same fabric but the other colours are twice the price! Thats a shame!
For anyone cutting a size 4 or smaller, you need to widen the neckline by at least 2 inches. I could not even get this past the crown of my head! Instructions are also missing the part to attach the top and skirt portions together, but experienced sewers will not have a problem. Easy and fast make.
Yes I agree – the neckline is higher then in the photo above on the smaller sizes .
But I was able to modify . Get so many compliments on my dress.
You did a great job on the dress. It looks very airy, and I love the way it flows!
Wondering if a ballpoint needle is needed, I have an overlocker. This will be my first attempt at knits.
Hi Lauren! Yes, a ballpoint needle is recommended for jersey fabrics!
Looking to use this pattern for the winter. Will lengthen the sleeves and try stretch velvet!
I just got the mystery box for spring 2023 and I’m excited to make this dress, but I can’t figure out which line to cut on for size 16… Is there a guide that I’m missing?
Hi there! You’ll cut out the 16/18, which would be the 4th line from the outside. 🙂
Hi, could you wear this for a formal afternoon wedding? Maybe not in a lime green of course, but this is gorgeous and I’m a simple gal.
Yes of course, this would be a great dress for attending a wedding!
I’m trying to see how to attach the top with the bottom . The instructions on putting this together are missing. Can’t wait to see the final result 🙂 I noticed the neck seems a little small so I will make it a little bigger.