This Easy Breezy Lounge Dress pattern and tutorial will guide you through the steps of how to sew a Maxi Dress. This Summer Lounge Dress is perfect for keeping you cool and comfortable on hot summer days. The free pattern can be made knee length or you can add the optional ruffle to make it maxi-length. Even better, there are no buttons, hooks, zippers or special notions needed. It even has pockets!
Save this pattern for later by pinning here 
Who remembers growing up, their mom’s and grandmas wearing “house dresses” like this one? I admit, I’ve never been a jeans or pants person and I too, love to wear casual, comfy dresses around the house. (I bet I have 5 or 6 of these little numbers in my closet. I usually find them at Ross or TJ Maxx for around $15, and I live in them, lol!) Although nowadays these dresses are mostly referred to as leisure wear, lounge wear or patio dresses. (or as I call them, “my comfy dresses.” 
)
I wanted to make myself a new dress, one that was casual enough to wear around the house but could also look good out and about. (Depending on fabric choices and dress length, of course.)
MY LATEST VIDEOS
I am so pleased how this dress turned out! I love to wear anything that is flowy and easy, and this dress definitely fits that description. Let me assure you – I’ve tested this dress thoroughly! It sleeps wonderfully on the couch, makes me feel glamorous walking to the mailbox, looks beautiful hanging from the hook on the back of my bathroom door and is also flowy enough to allow the evening breeze to keep me cool while enjoying a frosty beverage as I watch the birds at the feeder on the back patio.
[irp posts=”29217″ name=”How to Sew a Kimono Top”]
The best part is, this dress is actually super easy to sew! There are no buttons, hooks, zippers or special notions needed. It even has pockets for all those misc. items that we tend to pick up around the house.
Because of the flowy-ness and way the bodice can be adjusted, the pattern works for many sizes. I’ve drafted and uploaded two pattern sizes for you to print. S/M (which is what I’m wearing) and Lrg/XL.
When sewing this dress, you’ll notice the dress pieces are not cut on the fold. I overheard a designer on tv say that the reason many garments have this center seam is that the seam helps the item drape better. Is this true? I don’t really know, but I thought this would be the perfect pattern to try it out on. This dress does drape and fall prettily, but it’s also has a lot of fabric and is very flowy, so I’m not sure if the center seam contributes to that or not.
Be advised, this pattern, with the added ruffle, uses a lot of fabric! The good thing is you can sew the length to whatever you like. The actual dress pattern I provided in the download falls just below the knee, (on me anyway and I am 5’4.) But I give the option of adding the ruffle in the sewing instructions.
[irp posts=”29781″ name=”Off the Shoulder Flutter Sleeve Sewing Pattern (for ladies, sz s- xl)”]
If you can find a good deal on fabric, definitely add the ruffle – It makes for an amazing dress! The ruffle does add over a yard to the amount of fabric needed. (FYI, this particular fabric I used is currently on sale at Girl Charlee for 1.80 a yard!)
The fabric in this version is cotton lawn, but I think a double gauze, voile, rayon, lightweight polyester/cotton blends would work great, as long as they are not to stiff. Certain knits may work too as long as they are not too clingy or thick. I’ve already hit Joann’s and found some cut rayon prints for my next version. (I also plan to make my missy a version with my leftover fabric, but it will have to be a knee length version since I only have about a yard left.)
[irp posts=”11758″ name=”New Free T-shirt Pattern: Ladies Asymmetrical Hem T-Shirt (sizes S, M, L)”]
You can adjust the tie so the bodice is pulled up high.
Or slightly lower. Whatever you are comfortable with and is most flattering to you.
Ready to sew this dress? Head over to page 2 to download the pattern or page 3 for the sewing instructions.
How to navigate this post (and find the pattern):
Pattern styling/Photos: page 1. (this page)
Pattern download: page 2.
Sewing instructions: page 3.
Marilyn Beck says
Question about the Easy Breezy Ladies Lounge Dress —
Is the tie in the back decorative or it is necessary to untie it to get the dress on and off?
Thank you very much.
Jamie says
The tie is necessary. Depending on how tightly you tie the tie and adjust the bodice, you may or may not have to untie it to get on and off. For me, (in these photos) I just slip the dress off/on without adjusting the tie.
If you don’t like the idea of a tie, you could always make the dress and a short tie. Figure out exactly where/how you want the bodice to sit, then sew the tie ends together at that point. Rotate the seam so that it is inside the casing and then tack everything in place.
~Jamie
Erika says
do you think this dress would work using a vintage sheet? Say, a queen size for the L/XL version?
Jamie says
definitely!
Kimberly says
Thanks so much for the free pattern! While it may not be the most flattering dress on me. It’s certainly comfortable. It’s been crazy hot here and I was in a desperate hurry to make this right away (like, the day after you posted it- lol), so I made it out of a flat sheet. Since, I have spent many days in the porch shade, evenings relaxing with a drink, nights (sleeping) and I may or may not have gotten directly out of bed and done a run or two to the bus stop in the morning in it.(with a cute sweater thrown over the top). It’s been nice and cool and breezy for working and watering in the garden and hanging out in front of the AC. Maybe my next version I’ll leave the ruffle off and try a nice cotton lawn. So thanks again!
Jamie says
I love it! I agree though, even my hubby says he prefers a more “form-fitting” dress on me, but I just love how comfy this dress is. I’ve worn to get my nails done, to the mailbox and a couple other errands. The ease of it can’t be beaten. The idea of using a sheet is super-smart!
Sandra says
I have been so looking for a dress to wear as we are in our in our first month of Spring at the moment as it is getting very hot. So I think we are going to be in for another very hot Summer again and this pattern and instructions are great. I am a beginner sewer and plan to make this. So thank you for sharing this with us.
Felicia Cox says
I love the style of the dress. Thank you for making it available for free. Is there a way I can make it bigger in the breast area?
Jamie says
Google “full bust adjustment” to learn how to resize a pattern for a full bust. Good luck
Izzy says
What a great looking dress for summer. Thank you for posting it.
Kassiopi Reyes says
Hello Jamie! As I am not very familiar with PC I cannot understand what to do in order to get the patterns. I try from time to time, as I am interested in all yr patterns, but fail. I add the pattern to my card, the pattern is added to my card, but where is the pattern? I cannot find it. Thank you for yr reply. Kassiopi Reyes
DR says
Uhg, I’m so confused. Could you please tell me where the center seam is? Is it opposite the fold? Is the fold on the left side of the pattern? Simple sewer here 🙁
Jamie says
When you cut out the main dress pieces, you should have 4 pieces. Front right and left, back right and left. Then you have to sew the front pieces together and the back pieces together. The seam where you sewed them together is the center seam. Exactly what are you having trouble with?
Jill says
What does the bias tape on the back do? I think I screwed that part up. Oops!!!
Jamie says
The bias tape finishes the back openings and armsyces.
Janet says
Are the sizes correct? the large on the pattern looks as though it would be smaller.
Jamie says
Yes.
Janet says
Looking good, so far, your instructions are great. I’m making it out of a duvet cover I got cheap from Ikea, so it might not be the best thing to wear around town! Probably a bit too see through for me! But I’ll make it again sometime
Janet says
Finished it! Looks good, thanks for the pattern x
Jamie says
so glad to hear!
emari says
Thank you for this fun pattern. I printed and taped the pattern together…ready to cut out my size. Did anybody else notice the purple lines are larger all around, but the pattern says purple is sm/med. and green is lg/xl? It appears the color code has been switched for the sizes…? Or am I missing something?
Jamie says
tha might be an error. I’ll check it out!
loripetnut says
I like this dress! Thanks so much for posting a free pattern for it. I plan on altering it a little bit: No bow at the back neckline, just adjust where I want the neckline to be, then stitch it together and tuck the excess tie into the neck casing. If I want to readjust it later I can just snip those few stitches, adjust, restitch, and retuck the excess into the casing again. Make a long tie to use as a belt with the bow at waist back. Then hubbies/boyfriends won’t be too critical of it “not being form-fitting” as your waistline will be somewhat defined.
Jamie says
sounds great!