20 Free Sewing Patterns for Summer

Summer is just around the corner, and so I was recently doing some project planning for my summer makes. While I was looking for inspiration and new sewing patterns, I came across some patterns I hadn’t seen before that also happen to be free! I’m definitely a fan of free sewing patterns because buying patterns can get very expensive very quickly. Although I will say that sometimes you get what you pay for with free patterns – they might have quality or fit issues, or not be available in inclusive sizes. Nevertheless, I’ve used a lot of free patterns in the past and I’d say I’ve had quite a bit of success with them. They’re also a great avenue for beginners looking for a low-investment entry into sewing. So in this post I thought I’d share some of the free sewing patterns for summer that I came across with you!

First of all, there are three main places that I go to when looking for free patterns (and if you’re a sewist then you’re probably already familiar with them). They are fabrics-store.com, Peppermint Magazine, and Mood Sewciety. Of these, my favourite is probably fabrics-store.com. Their free patterns are what I first used when I started sewing my own clothes a few years ago, so they hold a special place in my heart. Plus all of their patterns tend to be quite simple, relaxed styles that work well with linen fabric which is my favourite to sew with.

Peppermint Magazine also has a great selection of free patterns (you just have to sign up for their email list to download them). Their patterns are probably the highest quality when it comes to free offerings because they partner with established patternmakers like Common Stitch and In the Folds. And they’re always adding new issues and free patterns, so it’s definitely worth checking them out.

Finally, Mood probably has the largest library of free sewing patterns. I haven’t personally sewn any from their range, but if you’re looking for a particular style or at least something similar, they probably have a pattern for it.

Other than that, there are a lot of other free patterns available out there ranging from samples offered by established pattern brands to DIYs on sewing blogs. Through my internet sleuthing I managed to uncover quite a few of these hidden gems as well. So without further ado, here are 20 sewing patterns you can make for summer that are totally free!

20 Free Sewing Patterns for Summer

Fabrics-Store Phoebe Linen Tank

The Phoebe linen tank is a simple shell top that’s the perfect beginner basic for summer. I’ve made four of these in various colours of linen and basically just wear them on rotation when it’s hot out. It was one of the first patterns I ever made when I started making my own clothes!

Fabrics-Store Agustina Boxy Top

The Agustina boxy top is another great wardrobe basic that actually works well in any season, but I love it as a simple linen top for the summer. It’s a simple boxy shape with a short sleeve that looks quite similar to the Elizabeth Suzann Georgia tee. I’ve made two of these and get a lot of wear out of them.

Fabrics-Store Magda Pants

The Magda pants are another sentimental pattern for me because they’re the first pair of pants I ever made! They’re a lovely relaxed fit trouser with front pleats and an elasticated waist. I will caution you though that the pattern seemed quite oversized when I made it, which was a while ago so it might be fixed now (or it might have been a mistake I made while printing them). As with any pattern it’s always recommended to make a muslin first before cutting into your good fabric!

Peppermint Everyday Dress

The Everyday dress is a relaxed-fit dress with half-length sleeves and a waist tie. It features a neck facing and has pockets. I made this dress a while ago and still get so much wear out of it in the summer. It’s the perfect throw-on-and-go outfit!

Peppermint Skye Shorts

The Skye shorts are a lovely pair of a-line shorts with a flat front and elasticated back waist. I love the way the fit of these looks! I am actually planning on making a pair of shorts in an oatmeal linen for summer and I’m thinking I might use this pattern.

Mood Perth Dress

The Perth dress is a more recent release from Mood that looks like a fairly simple sundress from the front, but has a really interesting cut-out detail cinched by a drawstring in the back. The example on their site is made in a cotton double gauze which would be lovely and airy for summer. I can also see this looking beautiful in a brightly-coloured linen.

Tessuti Athina Top

The Athina top is one I’ve made a couple times and love. It’s a tunic-style top with three-quarter-length sleeves and two length options for the body. It’s a really simple and easy sew as well, and great for beginners! I sized up one size in this pattern to have a more relaxed fit in the arms.

DIY Daisy Maya Ruffle Dress/Top

The Maya ruffle dress and top is a maxi-style dress with a gathered skirt and very voluminous sleeve. The pattern also looks like it’s quite low-waste which is a nice bonus. I think this one is really pretty and would be a cute make in all kinds of fabrics!

Grasser Dress no217

The Dress pattern no217 from Grasser looks like the quintessential simple summer mini dress. It has a camisole-like top with thin straps and slits at the sides for easy movement. I also think this pattern would be really easy to lengthen into a midi- or maxi-length style.

Grasser Sundress no619

Another dress from Grasser, the Sundress pattern no619 is a flared-out knee-length dress. I love the strap detail that threads through the neckline and allows you to cinch it to your liking. I think this would be a really striking piece in solid black linen for summer!

Seamwork Sorbetto Top

The Sorbetto top gives an interesting detail to a classic sleeveless shell by adding a bold box pleat that runs down the centre front. I think this pattern would look really lovely in a very lightweight, maybe even sheer fabric worn over a camisole for summer.

Seamwork York Top

The York top is a classic wardrobe staple in my opinion. It has three-quarter-length sleeves and a keyhole detail closed with ties at the back neck. I can see this being the perfect easy, breezy summer top in a lightweight linen or cotton poplin.

Pauline Alice Bailén Top & Dress

The Bailén top & dress is a beautiful, bias-cut camisole style pattern. I can see this working well as a more formal top or dress for special occasions, or something more simple depending on the fabric choice.

Wardrobe by Me Hera Wrap Top

The Hera wrap top is a very pretty, summery top with an elasticated waist that ruffles out around the bottom and ruffled cap sleeves. It’s definitely a pattern to check out if you’re looking for something with more feminine and romantic details.

So Sew Easy T-Shirt Dress

This t-shirt dress looks like the most comfortable thing to just throw on and go! It’s a maxi-length style made in a knit jersey fabric for maximum comfort.

The Essentials Club Simple Bucket Hat

This bucket hat pattern is the perfect summer accessory in my books! I love bucket hats because they’re so easy to throw on for a day at the beach or time spent in the sun and provide excellent shade and coverage for the face. Plus they look super cute!

Fair + Simple Shift Dress

A basic shift dress like this one is a great beginner project and something that can be worn for so many different occasions. This pattern looks like it also has an optional waist tie to cinch in the dress and add a little more interest, and it can also be cropped to a t-shirt length as well.

Edgewater Ave Swim Tops

Swimwear pattern brand Edgewater Ave actually has four different styles of swim tops to choose from for free! Swimwear can be a difficult sew, but it can also be really fun to make, and these free patterns give you the chance to try some different styles without having to purchase a pattern.

Contour Affair Crop Top

I was super intrigued by this crop top pattern that I found on Contour Affair, and looking at her blog it seems she has quite a few more DIY posts like this one so it’s worth checking out. I’ve definitely added this pattern to my list for summer!

The Little Pomegranate Sabina Skirt

Last but not least, the Sabina skirt adds some interest to a maxi skirt with a ruffle that goes all the way around the bottom. I also love the easy, elasticated waist of this pattern which makes it a cinch to pull on. I’m not personally a huge fan of skirts, but I think this one is really cute for summer and personally could see it working as part of a matching set, maybe with the crop top above!

So that is all I have for today’s post! If you have any free sewing patterns that you think would be great for summer to share, post them in the comments below so we can all check them out. And if you enjoy pattern round up posts like this one, let me know so I can do more of them. Until next time, thanks for reading!

Pin for later