Sewing an unfussy, 2 yard linen dress (+free pattern)

Work dress pattern download (free): ellaharp.com/s...
Full song 'Screaming Into the Void': open.spotify.c...
Instagram: / ellaharp
This is a slightly modified version of my basic work dress design (with all the pockets!) sewn on my old German zig-zag Meister Klasse 101 using 2 yards of 59" wide linen. Give a follow on Instagram for more creativity (@ellaharp) and let me know if you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer!
Linen (natural color and kenya) bought from Fabrics Store Online: bit.ly/3JJZXnj
(vibes: gardening, cottage core, cottagecore, fairy grunge, practical, whimsical, dark academia, women's workwear, project, easy, french seams, flat felled seams, apron, minimalism, capsule wardrobe, vintage, everyday, diy, self-drafted, uniform, tutorial)

[@helenbugsynelson]

At first I was anxious that you cut your pieces without pre-washing and pressing the fabric, but I persevered an$ watched to the end …and then I decided I would have to subscribe. I love the old sewing machine sound. I’m a hair shade before 70 and I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. My mother was a professional seamstress and designer so I grew up sewing with an impossible requirement to achieve perfection. The stories I could tell. Your approach , while scary is somehow refreshing😊

[@EllaHarp]

Thanks so much for the kind words

[@aprilmccreight9952]

Gentle voice, light years away from the drama of perfectionism, such a healing video to watch!! Thank you a million times over 🙏

[@sharontunbridge1620]

Yes I can relate to the perfection required when i learnt to sew 50 years ago. Unpicking imperfections was a constant stress! Ella ‘s generation has made sewing accessible to all. Their results are beautiful.

[@bramble_farm]

I hear you! My heart about stopped because the fabric wasn’t prewashed or ironed. I learned to sew from my grandmother, and can do tailoring, costuming, bridal sewing, pretty much anything. But I never sew anymore. Perfectionism adds so many steps and stress to sewing that it stops me from sewing at all. This video felt like medicine for sewing stress ❤️

[@jadecoolness101]

Life isn't over until it's over. You're never too old to do new things haha

[@sharontunbridge1620]

Inspirational! No pretension. Forgiving and stress free sewing. I like it.

[@EllaHarp]

[@lindageorge8209]

There's nothing like the sound of an old sewing machine. So much better than the modern machines.

[@EllaHarp]

Agreed

[@nommh]

Wow; I‘m fascinated by you ruffling technique! I have been sewing for over 40 years and this is the first time I‘ve seen it. And I ust cut out a top that needs urffling and now I‘m looking forward to it instead of dreading it. Thanks! And your dress is great. Your sewing looks very intuitive. Hope you had a great birthday!

[@CheritiWatts]

I think I’m going to have to watch that section a few times. Gathering is such a pain and her technique seems like magic.

[@marvellousmrsmoller]

I thoroughly endorse the no trim flat felled seam method. Sewing the seam with one side offset saves the step of trimming (with its associated risk of cutting in an unintended place!) and means the fabric is used, not wasted.

[@ConkreteMan]

That was one heck of a video. I kept thinking “there’s no way this is going to work out right” but then it did. “No way is it going to look good” but it did. Well done! And thank you for sharing the little tricks throughout. Much appreciated.

[@rawforyou5514]

i have been sewing all my life and even followed a very strict education (actually scaringly strict)... It is amazing to watch you have this fluid way of dealing.... no fuzz no stress and the end result is absolutely gorgeous. Well done, you are an artist and an expert in one go

[@EllaHarp]

My goodness, thank you so much for the kind words. Always grateful that creativity has space for everyone, even those who don't follow every 'rule'

[@brittanypennington9716]

I just made a variation of this dress over the past week. I made it without the sleeves, and used three panels for the front of the skirt because I didn't have a wide enough piece, made the skirt pieces rectangle instead of tapered at the top, and a little shorter because I didn't have enough fabric. I also did the neckline a bit differently, but it was such a fun, and freeing project, and now I have a dress I love! Thank you for freely sharing your pattern and inspiring us to create in a more free-form way. I had a lot of fun doing this.

[@EllaHarp]

So happy to hear that!! Love nothing more than people getting creative and making their own unique dresses, thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@sandraglover2681]

I've been sewing for 50+ years & I've learned some great tips from you in this video. The neat finished front neckline, the finish closed seam connecting the skirt to the bodice is brilliant!!! God Bless, I pray you always have this fabulous sew-jo!!! gg in Tennessee ❤️❤️

[@EllaHarp]

Thanks so much!

[@karinnoack7186]

Ich nähe seit mehr als 50 Jahren,aber selten habe ich eine so elegante und saubere Verarbeitung gesehen. Diese besonderen Rechts-Links-Nähte werten das Teil noch zusätzlich auf.Auch die Verbindungsnaht von Oberteil und Rock ist sehr schön gelöst mit einem tollen Ergebnis.Eine feine Arbeit...großes Lob.👍😊

[@EllaHarp]

Danke!

[@jana8363]

Und zusätzlich noch diese tolle Musik, total beruhigend. 😇

[@buzzi2k]

There's so much i love about this dress. Every time I watch the video I catch new neat techniques

[@terrypotts7575]

This dress is so beautiful, it boggles my mind that you just whipped it up!!! I have been wanting a plain linen dress for years and I haven't made one yet. You have given me some inspiration. I like that you are not so exact. Thank you so much!

[@maryjohnston6429]

Brilliant. I love linen, and zero waste. Great to see the harp.

[@gracefulvintage]

I’ve been sewing for 50 years & you’ve showed me a few new techniques! Thank you for sharing your pattern for free, can you share your favorite place or site to purchase linen? I’m definitely making this dress!

[@MossyMozart]

@gracefulvintage - If I can get myself to do it, I might try linen, too. So yes, a great source that you have experience with be good to know.

[@matcha9512]

It’s so amazing of you to link the patterns free so they’re accessible to everyone, thank you!!

[@beth2736]

Love this! And I love your approach for as little waste as possible, and that you turn small “imperfections” - like the sleeve-length difference - into beautiful uniqueness! Your style is totally gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing!❤️

[@francoisederocher]

I have an old 1960s Singer, made in Scotland, and I love the PURRRRR. Great tutorial.

[@MelissaBaker.]

I've never sewn a dress and I've decided this shall be my first! Thank you so much for sharing the pattern and oh, your alterations on the second dress are gorgeous!

[@EllaHarp]

Ahhh love it! If you share on IG make sure to tag me or #ellaharpworkdress I'd love to see 🥰

[@Squiffy1313]

Especially love the sound appreciation moment.

[@EllaHarp]

[@chrisjones3901]

Well who'd of thunk it sewing a bit on just to one sleeve.i absolutely loved this idea.Thankyou.Right up my street.

[@EllaHarp]

Love me a hack that makes something unique and also saves material! 🥰

[@debbiefalconer2756]

I love the freedom of your creations! The whole step by step process that you walk us through. Thank you, you make sewing fun and easy for us watching. The inspiration is overwhelming THANK YOU 😊

[@BunnyLang]

I was wondering what music you were playing while you were sewing, so grateful I found you, your music is so delightfully moving, gentle and soothing. Thank you for sharing your art :)

[@EllaHarp]

Thanks for watching/listening!

[@cheeseball7914]

Halfway through the video I opened Shazam, not realizing that the music info was in your notes - I was confused for a second when EllaHarp popped up and THEN I looked at the notes. So much talent! Just subscribed😄

[@EllaHarp]

Ahh love it! Thanks so much for listening I really appreciate it 🥰

[@retroredo9850]

I love this dress. Looking for more simple designs for linen fabrics. I used patterns all my life but like the semi constructed look now. I also mostly use thrift store clothing and even vintage sheets. You did a good job on the neckline but if you want to cut neckline a certain shape and have it remain that way exactly you can make a mirror image facing. I cut a big big in width and trim later. I sew all my facings as if they were binding. You join at shoulders same as front and back pieces. You just trace with the right side of farbric facing right side of dress.Or you can trace it off your pattern pieces also considering it will flip over after sewn so have to put on fabric the opposite way. Im also going to look at your pattern. Thanks so much for allowing it to be free.

[@Greye13]

I really like the modifications you made on this one and the little leather triangle with the gingko leaf, that you use, adds character, while making it your personal signature. Also, your music is very nice and pleasant to listen to. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.

[@sibylleelfers6472]

… i will never quite understand youtube’s algorithms … but i‘m thankful they brought me here!! ^_*

[@rosaelinav8036]

I love it’s how you made its the front kind of short and little long on the back! It’s fabulous…I love it’s.💖💖💖💖💖

[@DenisJava]

I love it! It's a striking dress, looks very comfortable. I absolutely love working with linen. I have two favorite dresses I've sewn with linen fabric and they are so comfortable.

[@nharzic9248]

I love this dress. I've been searching for an unfussy but stylish dress like this from the big pattern makers and there's nothing as nice as your dress. Plus your instructions will really help because I'm not a very experienced dressmaker. Thank you and I look forward to giving this a go.

[@EllaHarp]

So glad to hear it, happy sewing!

[@blueschistdream]

Very nice, Ella! Wonderful to see someone sewing on a machine that looks more like mine. I think it is the satisfying sound of my own 1955 Singer, inherited from my mother, that keeps me from investing in a shiny, new model.

[@EllaHarp]

Love it, those shiny new ones always seem to overcomplicate things to me. There's nothing I love more than a beautiful, functional piece of the past

[@juanitacrocker2474]

Wow! Super cute and I love the color, on my screen it looks to be a rust color, love that. I bet it would be cute too with out the sleeves as a shirt sleeve dress...very good idea...😊

[@sandrapleski3955]

Love your outside finished seams! I have very sensitive skin and "normal" seams oftentimes cause irritation. Love the simple style.

[@hellybelle5]

I made my first dress when I was eleven, and that's when I learnt to read a pattern, and how to cut it all out etc ... This was so different, yet absolutely brilliant! The end result is gorgeous, and I've changed my mind about using the pattern I had set aside to make a dress, as I want to make one like this now! I adore sashes, pockets, sleeves, and proper dresses ❤️ I loved the little leather flair too ❤️

[@EllaHarp]

Wonderful!

[@lorijacobs8178]

I love the dress! It's so sweet! That's exactly what I'm looking for in a pattern! ❤

[@paulcarlachapman628]

Interesting. I've been sewing since well before you were born. At the moment I'm wearing a similarly styled linen dress. I've made maybe a dozen of these over the years, but my techniques are quite different from yours. I'm interested in your method of gathering the skirt panels. I've lately been using a zig zag over size 10 crochet cotton, but I may play with your way with at least a scrap to see how I like it. Love the terra cotta color! I may have to get some! Thanks for a fun video!

[@EllaHarp]

Thanks for watching!

[@joannashworth2396]

What a delightful video tutorial. I appreciate your style and techniques. The pattern and subsequent dresses are both functional and feminine. I also appreciate your sewing machine - thanks for including the very satisfying sounds of the machine. I had to set aside sewing for the last 15 years, yet now I am ready to resume a useful hobby that I enjoy. I learned to sew on a portable 1940 singer sewing machine (electric). I now have a Sears Kenmore sewing machine that my parents bought me before I headed off to nursing school in 1971. I have only had to have my Kenmore serviced twice! Sometime, at your leisure, tell us a little about your equipment (machine, etc). Sewing is such a lovely skill to have. Thanks for the free pattern, too.

[@EllaHarp]

So happy for you to find joy in sewing again! Enjoy making, and thanks for sharing your story

[@maried3717]

I can't figure out how you did this but I love the dress. I have been making my own clothes 66 years.

[@zandrajacobs886]

Brilliant! adorable! Thank you! Hope to try this myself! Yea! for Linen and for your sweet sharing! Have a great day!

[@LitoGeorge]

I'm enchanted by lovely feminine clothing such as this. A lost art in this age.

[@emsmomma4606]

Hi Ella…I’m a new sub and this video was my first. You did such a wonderful job with creating and sewing this dress. I also want to mention that I like the fact you used copper for your button…very creative! Oh and btw, I LOVE your sewing machine! Cheers🥰

[@Hayahwassa-t9j]

i love that plum linen fabric and the dresses are beautiful

[@hannahperlotto139]

I love the simplicity of this dress. Thank you so much. Going to try it

[@cinziabeley7059]

What a fabulous pattern! I love your beautifully neat seams. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@designed_by_nina]

I love your effective use of the fabric! Beautiful

[@EllaHarp]

[@Jessica_Jones]

I really enjoyed your music! Loved how your harp was in the background while you sewed 😊 Beautiful color and altered design!

[@laurameyer5627]

What a gift this is and you are! Thank you so much for sharing your process so generously. The dress is exactly what I’ve been looking for (and the color is amazing). Happy belated birthday!

[@EllaHarp]

Thanks so much!

[@bbrosser694]

I love your designing, cutting and sewing techniques, because the interior and the exterior of the garment will be beautiful, secure, and washable with No Raveling of the Linen fabric. Thank you very much for your New Ideas!

[@brittanypennington9716]

Beautiful dress, and beautifully done tutorial and video. Thank you for sharing this loveliness freely!

[@EllaHarp]

[@wendypanozzo9133]

I love a linen dress! You are so talented!

[@bbmonkey14]

I watched this video as a study break and now I'm subscribed and have downloaded the pattern ready to make! I'm hooked, it looks amazing!

[@EllaHarp]

Yay! Happy sewing

[@chophouse404]

Such a cute little dress. I may have to give this one a go.

[@jonlizsam]

I love your music! I’ve always loved the sound of the harp. Into the void is so haunting and beautiful. And this is the first dress pattern that I’ve seen on KZbin that makes sense to me. I’ve been obsessing about learning to make my clothes. This will be my first one. Thank you!

[@EllaHarp]

Ah! So glad to hear it :) Thanks for watching and listening, happy sewing!

[@wendyb7993]

Gosh 🫢I was always taught to press the fabric and pattern by my school teacher and she was a stern woman whom we all feared she would have had a frenzy with your fabric 😂😂😂😂 but what a fab result you have looks great 🥳🥳🥳

[@karenlittle562]

Fabulous! Bravo to you Ella🥰 Happy Birthday 👏👏👏

[@hossorisakura6591]

i made this pattern and i love it!! so comfy, and the finishing is really lovely. nice to not have to serge. i added some little sleeve gussets under the arms for some extra movement but other than that it’s one of my favorite dress patterns.

[@EllaHarp]

Ahh so glad to hear that! Clever idea with the gussets

[@bekibell41]

OMG girl you made the most beautiful dress! & happy birthday to you. You are amazing with your sewing machine.

[@EllaHarp]

Thank you so much!

[@bekibell41]

@@EllaHarp yes yes of course. I truly love it and raising up my sisters every chance i get!.. i find nothing is better to do.

[@evablack6934]

Thank you so much for this pattern and your music! After seeing this video and listening to you I was so inspired to sew the dress, so I made it entirely in one evening! ❤ I even made seams exaclty like you, only I switched wrong and right sides so two seams are on the outside. It looks great!

[@EllaHarp]

Wonderful! Love to hear it

[@nancyperry932]

Happy Birthday Ella, Love your dress, French and flat seams, cool pockets and keyhole ❤️

[@lpmoron6258]

Love the dress! Love the sewing machine and the music. So relaxing.

[@EllaHarp]

Thank you so much!

[@lpmoron6258]

@@EllaHarp I made a dress similar many years ago except it was longer waisted. Loved it. I did it grow it and no longer have the pattern. Sadly.

[@heathercampbell2686]

Absolutely lovely little dress. Love your old machine to. The key hole detail on the V of the dress finishes it off perfectly ❤💖❤

[@EllaHarp]

My favorite part as well 🥰

[@cindywinkler4172]

It turned out beautiful ❤

[@MiriamTV2]

Thank you so much for a soothing video and the free pattern! I have to try it out, looks super comfy!

[@melissadougherty7662]

well you can teach and old dog, 72 yr old great grand mother, some new tricks. Like playing the piano from ear. Love your method. Gottan get my stuff unpacked from a move and off I go to make some of these "play by ear" dresses. Keep it up

[@roxannhawley3583]

Love this pattern! (---and how working folks turned them around to have a clean front for dinner)! Hehehe...I use my comfey natural fiber clothing (outer wear), inside, outside, front an back! ♥️

[@mrscpc1918]

You make it look so easy. I would love to have confidence to do this

[@pru3230]

I was nervous to try this as I’ve only seen a couple of clothing pieces before so I just cut up some old worn out bedding and made a rough draft without a printer to print the pattern so just roughly following what Ella did and measuring myself for a rough fit, and it worked well! Go for it! Good luck!

[@tumblebugspace]

Beautiful. Fun to watch, too! Takes this GenX woman back to when I was little, and was in awe of my elder sisters’ creativity with sewing and other fiber arts. (I was nerdy with scholastics and played the accordion.) Thanks for posting!

[@EllaHarp]

The accordion is the best!

[@fleab5273]

Love the dress - I don't see often but yours looks so good I might try ☺️

[@FlippinGrammie]

So cute. Love the vintage Singer machine too!

[@EllaHarp]

It's actually a Meister Klasse 101 but thanks so much :)

[@jennahix9772]

I like you! This is so much more my speed/style. I am just beginning sewing and was getting pretty damn intimidated watching all the pattern/exact/perfect/pressed etc. videos, trying to find me in there and the kind of feeling my way through-learning as I go way of creating that I like. Thank you for being you and giving me that much more permission to be me :)

[@EllaHarp]

So glad to hear that! Thanks for watching

[@Kay-uy4xn]

Love the pattern layout - it's the same idea as a traditional English smock worn by rural labourers as recently as WWII (although most likely a white one for church). It is made of rectangles and squares so that no fabric is wasted. It was also identical in the back and front so that it could be turned around for lunch time for the labourer to have the clean side for eating

[@1tlb0k]

Thanks for sharing very interesting

[@EllaHarp]

Ah! Makes sense

[@beverlyfleming6352]

Thank you Kay love your historic info. Really it would be great to mix old and new. I love it.❤️

[@Kay-uy4xn]

@@beverlyfleming6352 Glad you like the info. I intend making one at some point. I have a few old books about smocks with the key one being 'English Smocks | With Directions (and Patterns) for Making Them' by Armes, Alice

[@animalista_fabrics]

it seems that all ancient cloth were made of squares and rectangles and zero waste fabric. Ukrainian national long shirt-dress is also made of squares and rectangles. Because when they made fabric from the rasing linen or hemp and is was a very long process - it was real value for them

[@playinglifeoneasy9226]

I first learned to sew on an old machine like that. And yea I iron obsessively ( maybe to make up for not always knowing what I’m doing or that I’m self taught) but to each their own. Great tutorial. Beautiful fun dress :)

[@EllaHarp]

Love old machines! I don't iron (obviously ha) but I do hand press my seams - just hard to tell in the time-lapses. My building is old and has almost no outlets so that has definitely impacted my methodology and iron-less existence!

[@jeanikim-slesicki320]

So pretty and comfortable at the same time! I love it!

[@rubygray7749]

Looks so beautiful on you! On me, being more sturdily built, a gathered linen dress would be less flattering. Those vintage sewing machine noises are truly special.

[@mandsophie]

Ella, wonderful job, thank you so much!💚💛💗

[@rosalindtaylor3479]

Music is so pleasant. Outstanding!

[@EllaHarp]

Thank you so much! 🙏

[@cathyjones3403]

Beautiful and the dress looks great on you. A lot of good information. Thank you

[@dallasallad1997]

This dress is SO cute and that color looks amazing on you

[@EllaHarp]

Thank you so much!

[@daisydaffsforever723]

You cut the cloth the way I do as I dont have a big tailors table. Love the dress and just requested the pattern

[@123uschie]

You have done an awesome job with your dresss! Love it!

[@Beherenow473]

Totally love this, and the handmade buttons are fab. Can't wait to try it out for myself.

[@EllaHarp]

[@planetjazzy]

I absolutely love it....I will try doing one however I need long skirt...

[@crookedriverfae]

BRUV I just stumbled across this video (scrounging the yubtubs for tips on sewing sweatshirt ribbing of all things) and damn, I love your entire style!! (of sewing/dressing, singing/playing, THE COPPER BUTTONS UM???!!) I’ve been looking for new summer music to get myself into recovery/rejuvenation mode after the school year ends, and boy did it find me. Just bought one album, can’t wait to buy more, thanks for sharing your mad skills!

[@EllaHarp]

Aahh so happy to hear that! And thanks for listening, I really appreciate it

[@Hunter-de3dx]

The outside seams look really good!

[@jamitysmom]

Very pretty! I love your style and I love your sewing machine! I've been collecting vintage machines for a little while now but I've never come across a "Meister"! It's beautiful and I, too, love the sound. Jan in MA (new subscriber!)

[@BonnieE-x4r]

I am very inspired by your enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to sew outside the box - so for the longer sleeves you just basically do rectangles? Thank you so much. And your music is gorgeous.

[@rachelredshaw1807]

It looks amazing, Ella! I wish I was as talented as you :)

[@EllaHarp]

Love you Rach!

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

luv that old sewing machine and its sound.🦌💌❤️🐑

[@jayatkinson1152]

Thank you Ella... I downloaded this lovely work dress pattern and look forward to making it! XXX

[@themysteriousdomainmoviepalace]

Cute dress!

[@elenzversh7900]

Wow so simple and beautiful dress.I like it very much! The fabric need be pre-washed ( specially linen) not any because because it will shrink but it can pull differently after shewing and you can have finished product with one side longer than another , better wash and iron before shewing.

[@EllaHarp]

Really a patter of preference, and this is mine!

[@katehayford5086]

I love your gathering method!

[@karolmolpus9536]

Beautiful finish ❣️

[@CarrieP-W]

Gorgeous dresses, both of them. Thank you for showing how to make them.♥️

[@EllaHarp]

You’re welcome 😊

[@kathygray5495]

Thanks. I am just beginning to sew with linen. Love it. 🧵✂️🧵✂️

[@jothankyou2]

Thank you kindly for sharing and helping others🌺

[@jimhooper4252]

I like the style of this video ...clear and no unnecessary chatting ...thanks so much ....could you do a pair of unisex trousers or a unisex kind of smock ? I would love that ...that linen is so nice and you dress looks lovely ....hope you had a happy birthday ...thankyou

[@elizabethcanales7170]

Dress is adorable!

[@Boegea]

Oh! This was amazing to watch. I wish these kind no fuzz sewing

[@annashepard6337]

Super cute and creative. Thank you for sharing your talents.

[@carolweaver3269]

I have a sewing machine and so many clothes that need even hems sewn shorter and I am afraid to do things. I have trouble doing the bobbin. But I may need a little tweaking to get me going. This is truly helping as this is "EXACTLY the dress I have wanted to have so very much. TY for sharing the pattern and will see if maybe even with my sister-in-law to help me move on it and not be afraid of the machine, so much anyway, I can learn to sew this one and do it one after another, once I get going! I could have them in several different colors!? This will help so much. It has given me more incentive and like how you ruffled the skirt but will see if I can explain it to my sister-in-law or show her this video?

[@EllaHarp]

Wonderful! I've made a somewhat unreasonable number of these dresses. Have found them a bit addictive myself! Planing to make my next video showing all the variations I've made

[@WudEvZ]

Im sorry, is that the coolest sewing machine I have ever seen?

[@EllaHarp]

It's definitely my favorite!! They're super hard to find but if you ever do, snag one!