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Relaxed T-shirt dress – Free sewing pattern download PDF #UP1025

Posted on July 7, 2023November 25, 2025 by Zelena

Note: If you’re viewing this post in a language other than English, your browser might be using automatic translation. While that’s helpful, some words or phrases might not come through exactly as intended.

All the sewing patterns I share on my blog are completely free. You never need to subscribe, pay, create an account or share personal information to access my content. The only products I sell are tutorials available on my Ko-Fi shop. If you ever see an ad telling you to โ€œsubscribe,โ€ โ€œdownload,โ€ or โ€œsign up to view content,โ€ please ignore it; itโ€™s not from me.

Thanks for understanding!

This casual T-shirt dress features a relaxed silhouette, a sensible knee length, and a classic crew neck. It looks good in plain colors or with a print and is easy to style with a jeans jacket. Perfect for a quick and easy sewing project. Download you free PDF sewing pattern now!

1 cm (3/8″) seam allowance included!


Material

  • FABRIC: 1.6 m jersey with spandex (50% stretch)
  • All-purpose thread
  • Stretch needle
  • OPTIONAL: Twin stretch needle

Important: Fabric requirements are based on a fabric width of 150 cm (59″). If your fabric is narrower, additional yardage may be required.


Download the free PDF sewing patternโ€ฆ

โ€ฆ and once youโ€™re done, share a photo of you wearing proudly your new T-shirt dress with #unfetteredpatterns or tag us @unfetteredpatterns!

UP1025-A4-Letter_compressedDownload

Need help to print your pattern? Check our detailed tutorial here! Also, find out how you can customize your pattern for A0 printers and projectors here.


Sizing Guide

This pattern is drafted according to the following body measurements. Standard height is 1.64 m (5.4 ft). Check this tutorial if you want to add sizes to your pattern!

If you want to adapt the length of your garment to your height, check this helpful tutorial here!

XXSXSSMLXLXXL
Bust85 cm89 cm93 cm99 cm105 cm113 cm121 cm
Waist64 cm68 cm72 cm78 cm84 cm92 cm100 cm
Hips92 cm96 cm100 cm106 cm112 cm120 cm128 cm

Finished garment measurements

  • Length: approx. 97 cm

Sewing Notes

Fit and style

  • Choose a size based on your bust. Take a look at the body measurements chart to guide you.
  • To get your bust size, measure around the fullest part of your chest. Take a nice deep breath before you check the numberโ€”just to make sure the measuring tape isnโ€™t too tight. You want it snug, but not squeezing you.
  • On the finished garment measurements chart, see how long the garment is and if itโ€™ll work for your height. Itโ€™s a good idea to compare the length with something similar you already own. Just keep in mind that this dress is midi length, so the hem should hit mid-calf.
  • If you want to adapt the length of your garment to your height, check this helpful tutorial here!

Fabrics

  • This pattern works only with stretch knits like jersey or interlock.
  • Make sure your knit has the right amount of stretch before you start your project. For this style, you’re looking for about 50% stretchโ€”so if you pull a 10 cm (4โ€ณ) piece, it should stretch to 15 cm (6โ€ณ) without much effort. If it starts feeling tight before you get there, itโ€™s probably not stretchy enough.
  • Also, pay attention to how the fabric bounces back. If it doesnโ€™t snap back to its original shape after you stretch it, that means it doesnโ€™t have great recovery. This can lead to wavy seams and a stretched-out look by the end of the dayโ€”not ideal. To avoid that, go for a knit that has some spandex (or Lycra) in it. Itโ€™ll help everything keep its shape.

Cutting out

  • Before you start cutting your fabrics, wash and dry them like youโ€™d do for the finished piece. Keep in mind the fabric type and what itโ€™s made of so you choose the right cleaning method (like how hot the water should be or what kind of cycle to use…). Plus, the dyes used on certain fabrics tend to bleed when washed, so wash yours separately, or with similar colors.
  • After you wash and dry the fabric, give it a good press to get rid of any creases. Just make sure your iron is set to the right temperature for the fabric. Generally, synthetic fibers like acrylic, spandex, or polyester should be pressed on low heat, while natural fibers like cotton, wool, or linen can handle higher heat.
  • When you’re set to cut the fabric, just fold it lengthwise right sides together. Make sure the fold is straight and doesnโ€™t twist up. If it does, unfold it and refold until itโ€™s nice and flat. Then, lay out the pattern pieces so the grainline runs parallel to the selvages.
  • Make sure you donโ€™t cut the notches too long; aim for them to be around 0.3-0.4 cm long (1/8โ€ณ).

Sewing

  • If youโ€™re using a sewing machine to sew with knits, be sure that itโ€™s equipped with a stretch or ballpoint needle. These needles have a rounder tip that prevents snags.
  • If your seams are very wavy, you might want to check for a walking presser foot for your sewing machine. On an overlocker, check to increase the differential or the stitch length.
  • If the seams crack when stretched or pucker, be sure that you used a stretch stitch, and that the thread is all-purpose polyester, not 100% cotton. You may also need reduce the thread tension. On an overlocker, reduce the tension of the needles, not the loopers, and reduce the differential or stitch length.

Good luck with your sewing project!


You can support me on Ko-Fi! Every little bit helps cover the costs of pattern-making software, illustration tools, fabrics, threads, and more. If a donationโ€™s not possible, you can still support the blog by liking, sharing, and commenting on my posts. Thanks so much!

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Related

11 thoughts on “Relaxed T-shirt dress – Free sewing pattern download PDF #UP1025”

  1. Wesley says:
    September 17, 2023 at 4:27 am

    Can I just say, how easy this was, especially for my first time sewing a dress! My sister needed a ‘ Taylor Swift Eras Tour’ inspired dress at the last minute, and I was insisting that I could create it for her in such little time. I came across this pattern, shortened the length to above knee, and extended the sleeves, and voila! A sequence dress to make her the Swiftiest of them all! I’d love to post a picture!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie says:
    March 11, 2024 at 11:04 pm

    I’m very excited to try this pattern but I can’t seem to print it properly on US Letter size. Is there an additional step to print on US Letter size paper? Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Unfettered Patterns says:
      March 12, 2024 at 1:19 am

      What’s exactly the problem? You can try to print as image. Click on advanced settings and check “print as image”

      Reply
  3. Pingback: Unfettered Patterns Relaxed T-shirt Dress – The Crooked Seamstress
  4. woodsydesign says:
    March 28, 2024 at 7:48 pm


    Hello!

    how do I alter it to fit as a maternity dress?

    Thanks a lot.

    Reply
  5. Nicole says:
    December 2, 2024 at 5:24 pm

    I made this in a terry knit and it worked out really well! The only thing I would change would be to make the neck opening and neckband a bit bigger- this pattern has a fairly small crew neck. Otherwise the fit is great and the final dress is great for throwing on to run errands or I could dress it up too.

    Reply
    1. Unfettered Patterns says:
      December 2, 2024 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you for your feedback! I’m glad you like your new dress

      Reply
  6. Jerry says:
    June 15, 2025 at 11:36 pm

    I have just made 3 of these for two of my daughters and me.
    I am very impressed with the drafting and it produced a snappy t-shirt dress with shaping but not too tight. I used a stripe fabric so cutting and matching the stripes took longer than sewing. I loved the neck, its suited the style of the dress and the sleeve length well.

    Thank you very much.

    Reply
    1. Zelena says:
      June 18, 2025 at 12:59 pm

      This is great! I’m glad you liked them!

      Reply
  7. Mai says:
    October 13, 2025 at 2:28 am

    I absolutely love this pattern so much. It was such an easy sew the first time I made it with a cotton knit. Today, I just found the perfect sweater ribbed fabric for a fall/winter version. I plan on making it a slightly longer length with 3/4 sleeves. Thank you Zelena for your patterns! โค

    Reply
    1. Zelena says:
      October 14, 2025 at 7:57 pm

      You’re welcomed!

      Reply

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Hi, Iโ€™m Zelena โ€“ welcome to my sewing corner!
Iโ€™m a professional patternmaker with over a decade of industry experience, and Iโ€™m here to share stylish, free sewing patterns and tips to inspire your creativity. Whether youโ€™re a beginner or a seasoned stitcher, I hope youโ€™ll find something here to spark your next project. Thanks so much for stopping by

Happy sewing!

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