This fourteenth edition of Free Pattern Friday features a free pattern for a top and dress perfect for hot summer days.
Helen’s Closet shares a pattern that is beginner-friendly, dartless, and perfect for your handmade capsule wardrobe, as it can be easily layered with a tee or cardigan in cooler months!
It’s ideal for lightweight woven fabrics such as linen, cotton, or thrifted textiles. Or choose a heavier fabric for a more drapey look.
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Happy sewing! ✨
Orchard Top & Dress – Helen’s Closet
photo credit: Helen’s Closet
About this Free Top & Dress Tutorial
This pattern for the perfect summer dress or top by Helen’s Closet is a great addition to your summer capsule me made wardrobe. With thin straps, a loose fit, and 4 views, you’ll be able to wear this pattern in so many ways.
The pattern features info about how to grade between sizes, hacking the straps for different options, and 3 different ways to finish your seams.
This dress and top would be incredible in your favorite linen, linen blend, cotton, or a thrifted sheet!
Looking for more patterns to sew?
photo credit: Helen’s Closet
Fabric Ideas for the Orchard Top & Dress
Leightweight woven fabrics are ideal for this project. Both cotton and linen give you a flowy top or dress that will keep you cool all summer long.
Washed 100% Linen
Tiny Sewing Company
Posies – Screen Printed Lightweight Cotton
Hey Sew Sister
Textured Viscose Linen Blend
Core Fabrics
Fabelism Forest Foliage Woven Cotton
Wild Hare Habedashery
Use code ‘WOOLWRENSTUDIO‘ for 10% off
your purchase with
The Linen Lab and Sew by Sew!
Pattern Details
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
- Yardage required: under 3 yards for all sizes
- Recommended Tools: fabric scissors, tracing paper if you wish to keep your whole pattern intact but also make a top!
- Fabric Recommended: lightweight fabric such as cotton or linen. You can’t go wrong by repurposing thrifted textiles if you’re into sustainable fashion!
- Where to get it: Sign up to their newsletter to get access to the pattern!
Looking for more Free Patterns to Sew?
Check out the Free Pattern Friday Archive for patterns from tops and blouses, to dresses, and more!
photo credit: Helen’s Closet
Why I love this pick
I haven’t made this pattern yet, but this would be the perfect wardrobe staple for any summer wardrobe. It would be perfect to throw on on a hot summer day, or wear to a party or other special event. The options for straps make this top so versitile, even for breastfeeding moms!
The attention to detail stands out in this pattern. Helen’s instructions are clear, and the illustrations are easy on the eyes. She even includes a glossary at the end if you’re still learning sewing terms!
Helen just celebrated 10 years of Helen’s Closet! You can read more about her journey here. She is also ½ of the Love to Sew podcast, where she sits down with Blackbird Fabric‘s founder, Caroline Somos, to talk about all things sewing-related. It’s like having your two sewing besties in your ear while you sew yourself!
Helen also has other free patterns! If you’re looking to add some more staples to your summer wardrobe, Helen’s Closet also has patterns like the Ashton Top, March Top and Dress, and the newly released Lazo Jumpsuit!
Have you made the Orchard pattern yet?
Have you sewn along to this pattern? I want to know! If you have, what fabric did you use? How did you find the instructions? Any tips to share?
If you haven’t, be sure to save this on Pinterest so you can make them later!
Stay tuned for next week’s pick. It’s a good one! 😉
Be sure to check out this category for all the rest of the Free Pattern Fridays!
📌 Save this pattern to your Pinterest board for later!
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