Dreaming of a timeless tea-length dress that blends vintage elegance with modern flair? Mood Fabrics’ Madison Tea Length Dress ♦ free sewing pattern delivers just that—a strapless, boned corset top paired with a full, layered skirt to create a striking summer statement.

Pattern Highlights & Materials

Pattern structure

  • Two-piece design: a boned corset (featuring princess seams, modesty panel, and eyelets for lace-up back) plus a gathered skirt with lining, tulle layers, pockets, and a waistband.

  • PDF download includes technical drawings, size chart, and clear piece labeling for confident cutting.

Recommended fabrics & supplies (size small estimates)

  • Main: 6 yd organic cotton twill; accent: satin, horsehair interlining, cotton covered boning, bias tape, bra cups, invisible zipper, eyelet kit, hooks & eyes, tulle layers.

  • Alternative fabric ideas: brocades, denim, duchesse satin, taffeta, velvet for varied textures and structure.

Sewing Walkthrough

  1. Bustier prep & boning: Fuse interfacing and horsehair to corset pieces, sew them, then sew channels and insert plastic boning.

  2. Cup assembly: Sew cups with lining, hand-tuck proprietary bra cups, and apply bias binding.

  3. Bias binding: Neat finish around edges and neckline for a clean couture look.

  4. Eyelets: Follow layout templates (pages J3–J4) to mark and install sturdy eyelets on the back panel.

  5. Skirt assembly: Sew shell with pockets, add lining and two tulle layers, and gather all to join the waistband.

  6. Finishing touches: Insert invisible zipper, attach waistband with interfacing and internal hooks and eyes for closure.

 Fit Tips & Customization

  • Mock-up essential: Pattern grading is precise in smaller sizes—but fabric and bust variations matter. A toile helps ensure perfect fit.

  • Bust support: While built-in bra cups offer shape, users recommend adding underwire, structural channeling, or straps for larger busts.

  • Length adjustments: The skirt is mid-calf tea length—ideal for garden tea parties. If you prefer showing off legs, shorten it before hemming.

Final Thoughts + Community Insight

The finished dress is undeniably swoon-worthy—romantic, structured, and eye-catching in mood-boosting colors like sunshine yellow. Feedback on Mood’s free patterns is mixed—some users find sizing and instructions lacking:

“Their instructions are awful,” says one sewist.
“Patterns…missing steps and sizing is crazy,” warns another Mood Fabrics+1Mood Fabrics+1.

Takeaway? This pattern suits intermediate sewists best—those comfortable grading patterns, interpreting instructions, and confident in structural sewing techniques. If you’re up for the challenge, the Madison dress is a beautiful blank canvas for experimenting with luxe fabrics and couture-inspired details.

The Madison Tea Length Dress free sewing pattern from Mood Fabrics is available in sizes 2–30, which roughly corresponds to bust measurements from 32″ to 58″.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the size range:

  • Sizes: 2–30 (US women’s sizing)

  • Bust range: 32″ to 58″

  • Waist range: 24″ to 50″

  • Hip range: 34.5″ to 62″

💡 Tip: Because the bodice is boned and fitted like a corset, it’s highly recommended to make a muslin (toile) first to test the fit, especially around the bust and waist. The skirt is more forgiving thanks to its fullness and gathered waist.

Ready to Sew?

  1. Download the PDF, print, and tape together neatly.

  2. Measure and layer fabrics thoughtfully.

  3. Prepare to invest significant time—this is a labor of love, not a weekend project.

Bottom line:
Mood Fabrics’ Madison Tea Length Dress offers a couture-worthy, free pattern with sophisticated detailing—but expect to do some fitting, structural support tweaks, and careful interpretation. For sewists who love a stylish challenge, this project could result in a standout dress that’s entirely your own.

Download

Happy sewing! 🧵