How to Sew Stripes: Summer 2025

Summer Stripes: How to Wear (and Sew) This Season’s Coolest Classic

There’s something about stripes that just feels like summer. Maybe it’s their easy elegance, their fresh, breezy feel, or how they instantly evoke long lunches in the sun, beach umbrellas, and a touch of effortless French style. Whether bold or subtle, nautical or colourful, stripes are having a serious moment again, and we are totally here for it.

If your Pinterest boards are filling up with stripes (like ours is), you’re not alone. Stripes are all over this summer’s style inspiration; and the best part? They’re incredibly fun to sew with and surprisingly versatile.

L-R: Viscose Satin Interstellar  :  Serafina Stripe  :  Stripe + Snug Teal  :  Pastel Rainbow Seer Sucker  :  Two Way Stripe  :  Seaside Seersucker Dark Blue

Why We Love a Stripe

Stripes offer structure and style in equal measure. They can add drama or quiet refinement, depending on the fabric and direction. Vertical stripes elongate the body and give a clean, tailored look. Horizontal stripes create boldness and width. Diagonal stripes? They’re a design choice all on their own.

In sewing, stripes open up so many possibilities; think chevron panels, playful yoke details, stripe mixing, or simply letting the fabric do all the talking with a simple silhouette. They suit crisp cottons, breezy linens, soft viscose, and even structured twills and seer suckers.

From sharp shirting to floaty summer dresses there's a striped fabric for every kind of maker.

How to Wear Stripes This Summer

Here’s how to bring stripes into your me-made wardrobe in a way that feels fresh, stylish, and wearable:

1. The Classic Stripe Shirt

Timeless, polished, and endlessly wearable. Choose a lightweight cotton or cotton-linen blend for breathability and structure. A simple button-down (oversized or tailored) is perfect tucked into shorts, worn open over swimwear, or layered with a tank and wide-leg trousers. This Merchant & Mills Ellsworth shirt pattern is relaxed, roomy and boxy with a half placket and a dropped hem for a comfortable and stylish look. 

Pair with: neutrals, denim, or bold accessories for a pop.

L-R: Ellsworth Shirt Pattern  :  Customer make of Ellsworth  :  Peach Linen  : Ellsworth Shirt Pattern

2. Mix Your Stripes

Feeling adventurous? Mix vertical and horizontal stripes in one garment: panels, pockets, yokes or cuffs are all great opportunities. Stripes on stripes can feel intentional and fashion-forward when done with purpose.

Sewing ideas: Shirts with contrast panels *chefs kiss* 

Pictures: All from Croft Mill pinterest board 'Stripe Inspiration' 

3. Breton-Style Basics

In the 19th century, breton stripes gained their official name. Long before celebrities and other famous figures donned them, France's mariners were the ones to sport this iconic print. There’s a reason we always come back to the Breton stripe: it's a classic that never goes out of style. Sew a simple t-shirt or long-sleeve top in cotton jersey or ponte for a casual capsule staple. Plus fisherman asthetic is currently trending and we're totally here for it. ;)

Top style tip: Perfect with denim, layers, sunnies and chunky neclaces to dress up. 

L-R: Croft Mill pinterest  : Sweater Pattern  :  Croft Mill pinterest  :  T-shirt pattern  :  Pinterst board but find similar jean pattern here 

4. Wide-Leg Striped Trousers

Bold but surprisingly easy to wear. Vertical stripes elongate and flatter, while a relaxed fit keeps things breezy. Try a linen-blend stripe in soft tones for an everyday statement that doesn’t feel too ‘loud’ or dress up a bolder stripe in a palazzo trouser pattern for understated evening wear. 

Pattern suggestions: elasticated pull-ons, palazzos or cropped culottes are the perfect cool cover up for the warmer months. 

L-R: Croft Mill Stripe Inspiration on Pinterest  :  Florence Trousers Pattern  :  Pinterest inspo but find similar pattern here  :  Again, inspration from Pinterest but try this pattern and hack it to shorten and add a large square pocket on the side  :  Sepia Pants & Shorts Pattern

5. The Statement Stripe Dress

Whether it’s a full shirt dress, a floaty maxi or a wrap style, a stripe dress is a summer essential. Go for big, bold multicolour stripes or keep things subtle with ticking-style narrow ones.

Style with: a straw hat, leather sandals, and a tote for a complete holiday look, even if you're only nipping to Aldi for some essentials. ;) 

L-R: 1/2/4/6 Croft Mill pinterest inspiration  :  Farrow Dress Pattern  :  Naomi Dress Pattern

Tips for Sewing with Stripes

• Pattern matching: Stripes demand a bit of extra care when cutting. Take your time lining up notches and grainlines, especially across seams and pockets.

• Play with direction: Stripes don’t have to be vertical. Rotate pieces to create contrast or visual interest.

• Stay-stitch your curves: Striped fabrics can easily stretch or warp, stay-stitching helps maintain the shape of necklines and armholes.

Summer Stripes at Croft Mill

We’ve pulled together a beautiful edit of striped fabrics for the season; everything from soft pastels to nautical favourites, fine ticking to bold painterly lines. There are crisp cottons for shirt dresses, floaty viscose for summer skirts, linen blends for wide-leg trousers, and even lightweight jerseys for easy basics.

Each one chosen to help you channel that laid-back, sun-ready feel that stripes do so well.

Ready to sew your stripes?
Explore our striped fabric collection now and find the perfect piece to add to your summer wardrobe. Whether you’re dreaming of a coastal-inspired co-ord or a crisp cotton dress, there’s a stripe waiting to be sewn.

☀️ Follow the stripes, your summer wardrobe will thank you.

Happy sewing, the Croft Mill team x