Formal and Special Occasion Sewing Pattern Picks with BritaSews

There’s something truly exciting about creating a make for a special occasion — the design details, the beautiful fabric choices, or the perfect combination of both. With Frocktails season in full swing and the holiday period just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to gather inspiration for your next formalwear project. We invited Brita to share some of her favourite formal and special occasion patterns from the Sewdirect Australia collection.

Introducing maker Brita

Hi, I’m Brita (short for Brigette) and I am so excited to be sharing these beautiful patterns with you – I learnt to sew over fifteen years ago on Very Easy Vogue patterns so I feel like I have come a full circle. I always wanted to dress differently to everyone else and knew what I wanted to wear, but the difficulty was finding it especially as a teen growing up in a small town.

Once I talked myself into my first few projects, I realised the world was my oyster. I went on to study a Certificate IV of Fashion Design at FBI Fashion College in Sydney which I absolutely adored. I remember sitting in one class and marvelling at the fact that we had been discussing colour for hours and I was still riveted.

My sewing these days is a combination of all worlds: I love some easy wins, difficult and involved projects, formal gowns, active wear and some pieces for family and friends. (And yes, sometimes I will even hem your pants for you!)

Outside of the sewing world, I am a mother of three, gym junkie and musician. In fact, a number of my formal wear makes have been created with playing the viola in mind!

Brita shares many of her makes online you can follow her on Instagram at @britasews

Brita’s Top Formal Sewing Patterns

Butterick 6554

Butterick 6554 is a favourite of mine to pull out of the wardrobe for a more formal event (but it actually still looks fantastic with sandals for a lovely beachside dinner). I have sewn this pattern up twice – a shorter version in a floral rayon and, more recently, in this beautiful spotted crepe. Due to the elastic back, the fitting isn’t nearly as difficult as it looks and I simply love the longer skirt length: the wrap front means it’s still easy to walk in without losing the drama of a full length gown. Sewn up in your favourite drapey print or solid, this classic style will remain a favourite in your formal wardrobe for years to come.

B6554

Vogue 1782

I feel like it’s only fair that I begin with this amazing pattern that I sewed up for Brisbane Frocktails 2024. It felt like a real masterpiece of a creation and perfectly fitting for an evening with the sewing community! This dress took over 9.5 metres of fabric (a cotton twill I thrifted from the Nest Haberdashery), over 40 metres of piping and I used horsehair braid for the 8 metre hem. As you can imagine, the godets were a little fiddly to add in neatly with the piping on them so I ended up hand sewing them in at the pointy end. While the piping was a tricky addition at the time, I feel like it really showed off those beautiful curved lines of the original pattern.

The dramatic skirt has a fantastic twirl on it and even without the sleeves of the original Vogue design (very impractical in Queensland!) I think this dress is a showstopper!

V1782

Vogue 2133

Vogue Patterns Sewing Pattern V2133 Misses' Short Cape and Fitted Dress with Detachable Bow

As soon as I saw this pattern in the latest release, I was absolutely drawn to it. I love the drama of the cape – the contrasting hem and enormous bow are reminiscent of a beautifully wrapped present – opening up to an adorable strapless mini dress. What a delightful between seasons formal option!

I envisage this set in a luxurious jacquard or jewel toned dupion to pack some real drama.

V2133

Vogue 2110

For some more vintage glamour, I adore Vogue 2110. The low back and the plunging neckline scream vintage Hollywood to me and I think it would be a fantastic option for a high school formal or a red carpet event. I imagine it in a beautiful black sparkly knit, paired with a curly faux bob, for the ultimate art deco evening look.

V2110

McCall’s 8475

This gorgeous pattern is sitting in my “to-make” pile right now. The seemingly simple cut and multiple options makes it an amazing starter for so many evening looks. If you’ve learnt anything about me from reading this far, it’s that I love a little bit of drama so the cut of the back and the option to have a train really caught my eye. A simple black satin would be so elegant for a black tie event or a red satin backed crepe would be an exquisite evening look.

M8475

Vogue 2125

From the newest collection, this coat dress is absolutely beautiful. I must admit as a Queenslander, winter dressing eludes me somewhat, but I feel like this is an amazing cooler climate formal option. The cut of the back is divine and I love the high-low hem – imagine a little peek of a fun lining for the keen observer.

V2125

Vogue 2131

If we’re going to talk about Drama (with a capital D) we need to add Vogue 2131 to the list. The draped fold bodice is a masterpiece in itself and then adding the bustled skirt kicks it up another notch. I feel like this dress would be at home on the red carpet, or hack the pattern to remove the bustle and create a knee-length skirt for a knockout cocktail gown.

V2131

McCall’s 7789

Sometimes, the perfect pants are what you need for a formal event and McCall’s 7789 are indeed the perfect formal pants. Ideal for a drapey fabric and with a dramatically wide leg, this pattern is one of my favourites. The ultra high waist means you can wear them with a crop without showing too much midriff, or make the whole jumpsuit for a faux set. I used this pattern for one of my Halloween outfits in a viscose rayon and the wide legs “swoosh” very satisfactorily. It feels very luxurious to wear. I have also used these pants for a plain black pair (which get worn a lot) and a white lace pair (which don’t get worn as much!). There’s a lot of choices in this pattern to create a twist on the traditional formal outfit.

M7789

Vogue 2010

Ever since I was a kid I loved a trumpet skirt: maybe it was prevalent in the magazines of the time, or maybe the extra fabric and whole silhouette represents a level of luxury reserved for the fabulous. Whatever it is, I love this design. The plunging back is the real hero here and a contrast to the deceptively conservative front. A lot of these patterns I have listed would be overwhelmed by a print, but not this one. I could see Vogue 2010 stunning the room in a bold brocade or a 3d textured jacquard.

V2010

Vogue 1984

To finish, I absolutely must include my Melbourne Frocktails outfit from last year. I sewed this jacket top up in a Dolce & Gabbana brocade with black satin lapels, but the options are endless for this design and also with the outfit combinations: paired with a Vogue 1986 skirt gives a sleek evening look, a knit pencil skirt for a cocktail look or a tulle skirt for a more whimsical or vintage inspired look. I have so many more versions of this top planned out in my head!

V1984