Sunshine Dress
$9.00
This beginner knit pattern is fitted through bodice and semi-fitted at hips. The skirt seam hits at natural waistline, skimming right over that lower belly area for a flattering silhouette. The 3 bodice options will give you so many different looks you can wear one each day of summer, spring break, vacation and no one will know it’s the same dress pattern!
Includes strapless, halter, and full tank cross over bodices all with flattering ruching along the side seams. Skirt is a gathered skirt with above knee, just below knee and maxi lengths included. The pocket option is easy and oh so fun!
Here is a round up of all shapes and sizes wearing this pattern! And an album in our FB group here!
We also have shared some easy little tutorials on how to get even more out of this pattern here! And some inspiration for mashing this with some of our other patterns here 🙂
Nikki B (verified owner) –
Okay I’m going to review this because I was looking for opinions and couldn’t believe no one had added one yet. I made the crossover bodice in maxi length with pockets and hacked my own side slit for air conditioning purposes. I absolutely love it — the pockets look great even on a fancier dress — and I look forward to wearing it this summer. I found the pattern easy to follow although the 3/8″ & 5/8″ seam allowances to create the gathers kinda confused me for the crossover part. Make sure those two lines are done on each side of the gathered part of the bodice (and, later, the skirt of the dress) for easier gathering. I eventually realized after I had serged and sewn down my bodice gathers, but at least I knew what to do for the skirt! 😀 Great pattern and I look forward to making many more. The halter option may be my next one!
Alison Robertson (verified owner) –
this is an easy pattern to sew. i made the strapless top with the maxi skirt. i highly recommend using a square to get the skirt even as there is no pattern cut out for it.
Sarah De Loose (verified owner) –
Very nice pattern!
Jenny Owens (verified owner) –
I cut out according to my measurements but the crossover top came up so small. It looks nothing like the photos as it doesn’t even cover bust to reach my waist. Not sure whether to add a waist and and try to save the wasted fabric or just bin it. The skirt is really wide, not at all semi-fitted. I’m so disappointed as the dresses in the picture are gorgeous. Perhaps it’s only good for slim ladies because all the bustier pictures are more empire line waistline.
patternsforpirates –
Hi- If you send us some more details at help@patternsforpirates.com or post in the FB group with some pictures, fabric choice, measurements, etc we can help figure out what went wrong. From the description it sounds like maybe your fabric did not have the proper stretch (The Sunshine requires a 4 way high stretch fabric). The skirt is gathered by the same ratio to the bodice in all sizes so that the gathering is the same across the size range. There is more ease through hip on the plus sizes because the waist to hip ratio changes through the size chart.
Jaquelyn Carbajal (verified owner) –
I made this dress out of a bamboo/cotton/lycra jersey and it is absolutely beautiful. I chose the crossover bodice and deep pockets, and followed the pattern exactly in a size M. I constructed it all with my serger (aside from topstitching), and it was quick and easy. I am 26 weeks pregnant and I think the dress will fit through the rest of my pregnancy, and will also be amazing for nursing. The crossover top is perfect for it.