The best summer dress fabrics breathe, drape the way your pattern wants and feel cool on a warm day. Cotton and linen lead the way, and the right weight and weave take care of the rest.
Here are four bases we love for summer, each matched to a style of dress.
Four fabrics for a summer dress
Cotton Lawn
Fine and light, so gathers sit soft and the dress feels cool against the skin.
Lovely with a lined bodice, or a mid-tone background.
Cotton Poplin
Crisp enough to hold a collar and a clean A-line, and light enough for a hot day.
Presses beautifully with a hot iron.
Light Linen Cotton
Linen texture and breathability, with cotton softening the hand.
Pre-wash it and it relaxes into a soft, easy drape.
Signature Viscose
Falls and moves, made for shapes that skim the body.
Cut in a single layer for clean, accurate edges.
Two spots, on Signature Viscose
Brown Polka Dots by Ismaro Pattern and Party Spot by Rachel Parker, on a base made for dresses, skirts and shirts that move.
Watch on InstagramFollow @thefabricshop.auHow many metres for a dress
Based on fabric about 140cm wide. Your pattern's fabric chart has the exact figure, and a little extra gives you room to match a directional print.
Summer prints from our studios
Wildflowers in BloomJasmine Blooms Designs
Dream in Flowers VineJuanette Design Studio
Daisy Flowers Sparse GridAline Bea
Fantails & KowhaiCatherine Marion
Seahorses BlockprintMarie Le Moal
Boho PaisleyUna Somerville
Peaches & CherriesCatherine Marion
Australiana DreamingCarla Ellis
Prints for summer dresses
Summer dress fabric questions
What is the coolest fabric for a summer dress?
Linen and fine cotton. Linen is the most breathable; Cotton Lawn is the lightest and softest of our cottons.
Is cotton or linen better for a summer dress?
Linen breathes more and has more texture. Cotton is smoother and easy to sew. Light Linen Cotton gives you a little of both.
Which summer dress fabric is most opaque?
A tightly woven cotton such as Cotton Poplin, or a mid to dark print on lawn. A swatch held up to the window shows you at a glance.
How many metres do I need for a summer dress?
About 2.5 to 3m for a midi with sleeves, at around 140cm wide. Less for a sleeveless shift, more for a maxi.