Description
The Pōhutukawa Dress is a classic shift with simple chic design lines.
This pattern features short, mid or long sleeves, with optional sleeve and hem ruffle, inseam pockets and waist tie. The versatility of this style shines with its variations.
Go floaty and casual in summer, or sew with long sleeves for winter. Use a woven cotton for a structured look, or a rayon fabric to create a drapey silhouette.
This pattern includes a complete colour photo tutorial to guide you through the creation of sleeves, pockets, waist tie and ruffles. It will result in a professional finish while being suitable for beginners and sewists of all experience levels.
A pattern adjustment guide has been included to guide you in common adjustments you may wish to utilise for a custom fit.
This dress is versatile and chic! You will love your new Pōhutukawa Dress!
Pōhutukawa is the Māori name for a beautiful flowering tree, native to New Zealand. It grows along the beachy coast lines and flowers brilliant crimson blooms in the heat of the summer, New Zealand’s Christmas time. Often referred to as our Christmas Tree. It reminds us of summers spent at the beach and is the inspiration behind this dress.
Features:
- Instant PDF download of pattern and full tutorial OR printed paper pattern and instructions
- Women’s sizes 6-24
- Short, Mid or Long sleeve length variations
- Hem ruffle
- Sleeve ruffle
- Waist tie
- Inseam pockets
- Common pattern adjustment guide
- Exclusive access to resources page for additional tutorials
- PDF Includes: A4/Letter (to print at home), A0 copy shop version (requiring 2 printed A0’s)
- Full tutorial, photos and support to help you create this dress
Sewing Level:
The Pōhutukawa Dress has been designed with adventurous beginners in mind. The tutorial is detailed with full colour photos and includes a pattern adjustment guide to create a custom fit.
Adventurous beginners will learn or practice new skills such as darts, gathering, facings and pocket making. If you have some previous experience in sewing and feel confident in giving these skills a go, you’ll enjoy this thorough tutorial which will walk you through the process step by step.
The more advanced sewist will appreciate the professional finish and versatility of this pattern and the ability to play with variations.
Fabric Suggestions:
Look for light to medium weight fabrics that can be easily pressed to create nice edges.
Main Fabric: Light – medium weight cotton, chambray, poly cotton, linen, rayon, sateen, tencel etc.
Look for fabrics that drape / hang nicely.
Optional: Small piece of iron on interfacing for facings.
Fit and Ease of Dress:
The Pōhutukawa has been created to fit well around the neck, shoulders and bust (including darts for shaping), and a loose hanging fit around the waist and hips.
When you are choosing what size to create, measure around the bust (the fullest part of bust). Use the bust measurement to determine what size you are in this pattern.
This pattern has been created using Standard American Measurements and might seem different to what you usually buy in stores. Therefore, use the size the chart says you are to fit the bust, and if required, lengthen or shorten the dress as needed.
This pattern has been created for a B-cup. This is not your “bra cup” size. It refers to the difference between high and full bust. Click here to learn more about cup size.
Fabric and Fit Chart:
Additional Notions Required:
- Small piece of elastic for button loop
- Small button
- Thread, scissors and pins
What You Get When You Purchase:
This pattern is available as a PDF digital download or printed paper pattern.
PDF Pattern
Digital file emailed and stored in your Below the Kōwhai account for future use. Includes files for pattern to print at home, A0 copy shop pattern and instructions.
These downloads will also be available in the “My Account + Downloads” section of this website. This is where the most up to date version of your patterns will be and you can access them any time. In the future I may revise this pattern. If you’re sewing in the future, check back for the latest version.
You can print the Pōhutukawa Dress pattern at home. The digital pattern is 48 pages long in black and white, and can be printed on A4 or US Letter paper on your home computer and then assembled for use. You can choose which sizes to print using the “layers” feature when viewing the PDF.
You can print the Pōhutukawa Dress at a copy shop. There are 2x A0 pages within this file that will both need to be printed.
You will also receive a comprehensive tutorial with instructions, photos and tips to guide you in your sewing of this garment. Please view this tutorial on your device or computer to save the trees, or if you must print, print in colour.
Paper Pattern
Pattern printed on quality sustainable newsprint with full colour instruction booklet and pattern envelope.
Printed Pattern
Pattern only, printed on quality sustainable newsprint. Comes with an envelope for pattern notes and storage. Must be purchased with a current or historical PDF pattern order.
Click here to view our shipping and delivery information.
What’s a PDF?
A digital document viewable in Mac Preview or Adobe Acrobat Reader. You will be able to save, view and print these documents on your computer or device.
Returns and Support
Your computer saves this digital product. Therefore, I am not able to offer returns on any purchase unless at some fault of my own. So, please choose carefully and make sure you are purchasing the correct pattern with your correct email address!
In lieu of returns I offer comprehensive online support to those who are sewing. You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram and email, and you can expect a prompt reply! I will endeavour to help you in any way I can.
Get Sewing!
So, what are you waiting for? Create your own beautiful Pōhutukawa Dress with this pattern and show off your creations!
This sewing pattern is by Sophie Laughton-Mutu. Sewists around the world have tested and tried this pattern. Please leave a review, or pop over to our Facebook page to show us a photo of your Pōhutukawa Dress!
liz.spencer –
I really enjoyed making this comfortably styled dress. The comprehensive tutorial guided me through each step. I hadn’t made any bust adjustments before but using the recommended guidance it was surprisingly straightforward & this is a new skill I can now use to adapt other garments. I’m very happy with my new dress & will definitely making more.
anna.hopper –
I’m absolutely in love with this dress, and so glad the size range has gone up so I can wear these beautiful clothes. As always the tutorial was so easy to follow and with the included links to bust adjustment and sway back adjustments was really easy to fully customise it to fit me well. I’m a confident beginner but have hesitated to customise patterns in the past but never again, I’ve gained so much confidence with the tutorials easy to follow guidance. I can see myself wearing this loads over the summer and without the ruffles and longer sleeves it’ll make a great tunic to wear with leggings in the autumn. This is one pattern that I know will be used a lot as it’ll look different with the various of sleeve lengths , ruffles etc.
lizzyj_m –
This pattern has everything I look for in easy-wear clothing: bust darts so it fits nicely, not too fussy or tight…and POCKETS! It’s so comfortable to wear, and with the waist tie I have lots of options for how to style it. I made mine in rayon so it drapes beautifully, and the ruffles flip as I walk – perfect! This was such a satisfying sew – I can see more of these in my future.
Julia Warren –
Oooo I love this dress! The options are endless with ruffles or not, long sleeves, short sleeves or midi sleeves! And there is even a tutorial on how to sew this up in knit fabric – something I am excited to do. I made mine with a heavy cotton and its lovely to wear with the perfect fit around bust and shoulders. The ruffles swish nicely and the waist tie can either clinch it in for a fitted look or leave it behind for a floaty version. I can see myself making many more Pōhutukawa dresses.
Josie Durney –
Absolutely beautiful pattern. Easy to follow instructions. I love the versatility and how many different dresses you could create.
taliavanderwel –
This dress was wonderfully easy to sew and fits beautifully. The sleeves were a dream to set in and the pattern comes together nicely. I’ve made it twice already! Once in a drapey pink for formal wear and another in a lightweight cotton with no ruffles—perfect for casual wear. This dress will get miles of use! Already making plans for more.
ej_garnett –
The Pohutukawa dress pattern taught me so much in terms of how to do full bust adjustment and to lengthen a pattern for my height. I was really happy with the final outcome and it was worth all the extra work of making the pattern right for my body shape. I definitely recommend taking the time to make these adjustments if you need them! The instructions are really clear as is typical for all BTK patterns. It is so nice to be able to sew for myself after mainly sewing for my daughter.
rachelslimmon (verified owner) –
A beautiful dress with a classic fit! I adore the ruffles and can imagine it in many different fabrics. Another fabulous tutorial from BTK and suitable for all sewing abilities.
Geraldine Back (verified owner) –
I love this pattern. The end result is effortless style with a bit of flash! I love that you can customize the pattern to make exactly what you want. I made the short sleeve dress with ruffles on the sleeve edge and hem, for my mum to wear to a wedding. I used ink blue cotton linen. It is perfect for the occasion and suits her personal style. She LOVES it. I’m already planning another one for myself. Thanks for creating such a beautiful pattern.
alison Donnelly (verified owner) –
This is the first wearable thing I have made for myself as an adult! Another great tutorial, Sophie! Love the pockets, and the different length options for sleeves and with/without ruffles. I’ve got my fabric ready for my next one already…. thank you!
Jody (verified owner) –
Such a satisfying sew! The instructions are so thoughtfully detailed, with tips on how to make easy adjustments that really make this dress look amazing for the body you know best, your own! Spending a little extra time in the pattern prep stage was a really valuable step for me (really tall and uber curvy over here, hey-yo!). But thanks to the clear instructions I knew just what I needed to tweak to make my dress look just perfect for my body. A well designed pattern that results in lines that look effortlessly casual and a dress that is simply a pleasure to wear.
Sam (verified owner) –
Beautifully written pattern. Sizing is accurate. Love the fit and versatility of a well drafted dress! I’ve made 2 so far and I am sure I will reach for the pattern again.
Kathy Neivandt (verified owner) –
Easy to follow pattern which worked out perfectly resulting in a well-fitting, comfy, and good looking dress. Each step is really well explained and clear. I love the scope for different variations on the basic dress and have lots of ideas for my next one.
Sarah Liu (verified owner) –
Absolutely a delight to sew! A great staple pattern that can be sewn different ways to make a completely different look! It’s a great dress pattern to make for casual dresses but also for dressy occasions if made in the right length and with the right fabric. The shape of the dress is fantastic for many different shapes as its a relaxed shift style dress and doesn’t hug around the body at all! Perfect for hot summer weather but also great for layering in the winter time.
I have made this dress twice and hacked it in different ways. The first I made it sleeveless, and another with the short sleeves and shortened length, and I added invisible zips on the side seams to make it nursing friendly.
Sophie instructions was clear and easy to follow. A quick sew for those looking for an easy project or for beginner sewists! Thank you Sophie for a great pattern! Will definitely make a few more in the near future!!
lizmedlin92 (verified owner) –
I have made two items from this pattern now and really like it. I originally made a linen dress with the sleeve and hem ruffles and it has pockets!. The fit is great, quite relaxed style but true to size. The instrctions are easy to follow and there are tips and options. I have just modified it to make a top, again with ruffles and I love it. I halved the depth and shortened the hem ruffle and didn’t do the neck opening, it is easy to get on without. I highly recommend this pattern