A closer look at The Kate Dress – our very first sewing pattern, and still just as popular!
Kate is a very simple but versatile shift dress, if you are a beginner sewist this is a great choice to get you into dressmaking as it has no zips or buttons. Its scooped neckline offers a choice of a smooth front or a small amount of gather to bring the eye inward. When making this dress you will learn how to sew darts, set-in sleeves and finish edges with a binding.
The Kate Dress Sewing Pattern includes three different sleeve options:
Version 1 has a plain, scooped neckline and set in sleeves with a slight gather at the sleeve head.
Version 2 has a scooped neckline with a small amount of gather at the centre. The sleeves are set in as Version 1 but are straight and end above the elbow.
Version 3 has the same scooped and gathered neckline as Version 2 but the sleeves are ¾ length bishop sleeves that end in a gathered binding.
The dress finishes about 10cm above the knee and has a slightly curved side seam to give shape. Buy The Kate Dress Sewing Pattern.
It looks wonderful in linen, denim or even corduroy, so it’s perfect for any season. If you like wearing patterns, then choose from our lovely selection of craft printed cottons and find a fabric to suit your style.
What you’ll need to start making your Kate Dress
Supplies
- The Kate Dress Sewing Pattern (Paper or PDF)
- 2-2.5m of fabric
- Matching sewing thread
- Ready-made bias binding (if not making your own)
Tools
- Dressmaking shears
- Pins
- Chalk or fabric marker
- Pattern weights
Fabrics that might just take your fancy
You will need approx 2-2.5m of fabric. We have a whole range of fabrics perfect for The Kate Dress available to buy online, browse our online shop here.
Here’s what others say
“Versatile & easy! I bought this pattern 4 years ago at the Sewing Bee Live. I have made 10 of these dresses in various fabrics and in various styles. Great quality pattern pieces and easy peasy step by step instructions. I cannot recommend this pattern enough – it is fab!!!” – Claire
Ways to wear your shift dress
A shift dress is an essential piece no wardrobe should be without. The best thing about The Kate Dress is that you can shift it from day to night, it’s easy to switch it up between a dressed up and dressed down look. If there’s one word to describe this dress, its versatility! There are so many wears you can wear it.
For weekends away or meet ups with friends, just add sandals and sunshine to complete the look.
For those cooler months, when the weather isn’t quite warm enough for you to bare your legs. Pair with jeans to keep your bottom half warm, and add your favourite long sleeved t-shirt for an extra layer. Wear with a pair of white trainers for comfort.
If you know your way around a sewing machine and want to get stuck in straight away, order your downloadable PDF Kate Dress Pattern here.
The Kate Dress Sewing Workshop
Sew your own versatile dress, learn how to sew a dress that’ll be your most comfortable one yet.
Beginner sewist and not quite ready to go at it alone yet? You can develop your sewing skills, boost your confidence and walk out with a brand new dress by booking onto our sewing workshop. Our beautiful Janome sewing machines will even help you sew a decorative stitch along the binding if you choose.
We will provide the sewing pattern, thread and plenty of tea, coffee and cake to keep you going, but you may wish to bring some lunch with you as it’s an all day class.
All sewing workshops are based at our Sewing Studio in Stratford Upon Avon, with a maximum of 6 people able to book.
Next available class is June 26th 2021, 10.00am-5.00pm
Learn more and book the workshop here.
“A brilliant course. Hand held throughout to give you confidence. Would not have tried gathering on my own. Have since started my second Kate dress and am using the different versions you get in the pattern. The workshop has ignited my desire to make clothes.” – Lesley Grady
Getting more from your pattern
As we head into the summer, Kate is just the most perfect dress for those sunny days as it’s infinitely hackable. Featured in our Sewing Studio ‘How to adapt the Kate to make a sleeveless version’ and ‘Adding a frill to the Kate Dress’
These deceptively simple pattern hacks feature in our Technical Library. Not yet a member of our Sewing Studio? Join us today from £6 per month. Sign up here.
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