‘Tis the sea-sun for gorgeous maxis and dramatic beach cover-ups, and here to help you shell-ebrate is our newest free sewing pattern! Featuring long sleeves, a billowing wrap skirt, and a daring slit, the Rue Dress can keep you protected from the sun without diminishing any of your stunning sea-witch vibes at the beach this summer. A silky charmeuse or crepe will have you adding this new dress to your maxi collection in a heartbeat (because can you really have too many?), while a voile or eyelet would make the most spectacular cover-up for any of our swimsuit patterns. Be sure to tell us how you’ll be styling your Rue Dress in the comments!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 6 yards Dachshund and Deep Teal Ombre Silk Charmeuse
- 4 Ivory Silk Covered Buttons
- 1/2 yard Button Loop Braid
- 4 yards Single Face Ivory Satin Ribbon
- MDF130 – The Rue Dress Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Suggested 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.
First, create your waistband by sewing the two front panels to the back at the short side seams. Since this garment is unlined, I recommend using French or bias-bound seams.
Likewise, attach the front panels of your bodice to the back panel at the shoulders and side seams. Evenly gather the bodice into the waistband, matching up any seams or notches.
Next, create each of your sleeves and set them into their respective armscyes on your bodice. Evenly gather the bottoms of your sleeves into a cuff, sew up the cuff sides with a couple inches of button loop braid insert into one of the sides, and slip-stitch the inside edge of the cuff closed. Note, you can opt for an interfacing in your cuff for a little extra stability.
Once your cuffs are slip-stitched closed, add two covered buttons on the edge of your cuff opposite your button loop braid.
Next, you’ll want to form your skirt. Attach your front panels to the back at the side seams. Be sure to keep one seam open from about 12″ from the waistband down to the hem. Finish those open edges with a simple rolled hem.
Around the raw edges of your neckline and skirt, sew your 1/2″ ribbon face to face along the very edge, like you see above. Roll the ribbon toward the inside of your garment, and edge-stitch to finish binding the edges of your dress.
Evenly gather your skirt into the waistband of your dress and add corresponding ties and a loop so you can wrap the lower layer of the front of your dress inward and tie it like a robe.
Next, create your two belt ties and attach one to the waistband of the upper layer of your dress and opposite side seam, like you see above.
Hem the bottom of your dress and it’s ready to wear! Will you be giving the Rue Dress a try? Let me know in the comments below!
21 comments
Gorgeous! I really love the fabric that this dress is made in.
I have been looking for a plus-size version of this type of pattern for quite some time. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so very inclusive on your pattern sizing!!!!
Same sentiments felt for me as well. I love all the patterns here, and it’s a welcome surprise when it’s in my size too. I wear a size 30 because of my bust, and a size 26 for waist so the diversity in sizing is key.
I have 5 yards or the fabric I would like to use. Is there any way to get away with that for a dress sized 8-10? Any suggestions would be great. Thank you!
Hi there! You might be able to get this done in 5 yards – I used 6 for a size 8 but I also had to match the ombre and had some extra to work with.
What size fabric do I need and can I make it our of cotton?
Hi Della, I used 6 yards of 45″ fabric for this version in a size 8. And this would look terrific in a lightweight cotton such as voile!
Do you know what size the model is wearing? Not sure if I should size down, because i dont want the dress as baggy as pictured. Super excited to get this project started!
Hi Reagan, she’s wearing a size 6. 🙂
Hi ! Are allowances included in the pattern ? Thank you !
Yes a 1/2″ seam allowance is already included. 🙂
Hi!
Made this in size 18! Perfect! Thanj you!
I am excited to make this out of a see-through knit stretch pine green lining material to wear on top of hot pants+tanks or short body cons in the summer to maximise breeze and shelter me from sunburns! Can’t wait to have it in my wardrobe!
I love this so much. How much fabric do you think would be required to make just the bodice and sleeves, in a fabric that doesn’t need pattern matching? I want to make a silk chiffon bridal cover up!
Hi, Emma – that sounds gorgeous! I’d probably recommend 2.5-3 yards for just the bodice and sleeves. 🙂
Hi! Do you think I could get away with lining this dress? My intended fabric being a bit see-through but I don’t know if the pattern would allow. (Don’t worry about the sleeves, I’m doing lace flutter sleeves)
Hi, Ana! I think you could definitely line the bodice without issue. For the skirt, you could either make the skirt two layers so the lining layer is separate from the main one – that way the fabrics will still flow very well, but you’d have a second, more opaque later – or you could create a short pencil skirt-like slip lining for the skirt portion. I hope that helps!
How many yards of a solid fabric do you recommend for the largest sizes, like a 28 or 30?
Hi Neala! We recommend about 7-7.5 yards. 😀
HI, i have been trying to download some of these patterns on the app but the pdfs were never sent to my mail. can you please help? (Yes, i have double checked my mail and stuff, but the mail never came)
Hi Naysa! I’m so sorry about that, sometimes it takes a while. If you’re still having trouble getting the patterns, just email [email protected] and they’ll send everything over to you!