If you spend your days scrolling through endless summer mini dresses and want to know how to make one, then this pattern is for you! I took inspiration for this pattern from brands like reformation that make such simple silhouettes look clean and sleek. I wanted the pattern to be a combination of fun and understated. In the end, I got this gorgeous open back summer mini dress pattern! It has a sweetheart neckline, princess seams and a gorgeous tie back.
The Perfect Summer Mini Dress Pattern
Step 1 - Fabric
The fabric I used for this pattern is a linen blend. It actually is made from a secondhand duvet cover that I bought in a charity shop for £4! Linen is a lovely fabric to sew with as it presses very well and easily glides through the machine. However, linen can be unforgiving to any areas that don’t fit properly. I chose to make this pattern have princess seams down the bust instead of using darts. Princess seams give a fun detailing to the front as well as helping shape the bust. Whether you are a beginner or have sewn for years, I would recommend making a toile or mock-up before starting on your ‘real’ fabric. Next, I should mention that the dress is fully lined. As a result, it is up to you whether you line it in a different fabric to the outside or the same one.
Step 2 - Straps
If you have seen the Cowl Dress Pattern then you will know how much I love multifunctional straps. It’s important to me that patterns can be easily altered to suit individual styles. The open back dress pattern includes one ‘tab’ on either side for the straps to be threaded through. In these images I chose to not cross the straps and just tie them in the back. However you can tie them however you like! It is easy to criss cross them in the back or even bring them round to the front and tie them on the waist. If you would like some more criss-crossing in the back you could also add more ‘tabs’ down the side to thread through. This would give a result more similar to the open back cami top.
Step 3 - Closure
The closure for this dress is an invisible zipper. But wait! Before you run away because the thought of an invisible zipper makes you shudder, trust me when I say it’s not that bad! Invisible zippers seem to have gained an infamous status for being complicated things that new sewists should shy away from. But in reality they aren’t too complicated. It takes a little bit of wrapping your head around, and a few key preparation steps, but then they are pretty easy to do. Besides, they look so neat on a dress like this one.
Finally - The Open Back Mini Dress Pattern!
I hope you enjoy making this dress! As always, I love seeing your creations so remember to tag @rightsidepatterns on instagram or just send them on Etsy! And sign up to our mailing list to stay in the loop on all things Right Side, including sewing tips and hacks, giveaways and new pattern launches.
The pattern is available on Etsy worldwide and just needs to be printed and taped together before being cut out and used like any other pattern would be! It is available in UK sizes 4-20 and US sizes 0- 16.