I finally have had time to write about the Zero Waste Dress pattern by Offset Warehouse!
Did you know that on average, 15% of fabric is wasted every time a garment is made? By designing clothes that are “zero waste”, this waste can be eliminated. The sewing pattern uses all the fabric, so nothing is thrown away.
Offset Warehouse have put together this simple zero waste dress pattern so you can try it for yourself – Which is exactly what I did!
UPDATE 2026 – Offset Warehouse is no longer in business: Please email me and I will send you a PDF copy of the pattern.
Zero waste dressmaking is one of the most practical ways home sewists can reduce textile waste. Traditional garment patterns can waste up to 15% of fabric, whereas zero waste patterns are designed to use every centimetre. This makes them ideal for anyone interested in sustainable fashion, slow sewing, or making the most of higher‑quality fabrics.
This Zero Waste Tunic will be both future proof (i.e. they will still fit as I continue to lose more weight) and literally uses every centimetre of fabric width in the length you desire (I even used the selvedge inside the seams!).
Who This Pattern Is Good For?
This zero waste dress pattern is ideal if you:
- Want a size‑flexible garment that adapts to body changes
- Are sewing sustainably or using deadstock fabrics
- Prefer simple construction with room for customisation
- Want to minimise waste without compromising style
Maroon Zero Waste Dress
The first Zero Waste Tunic was completed a month or so ago… but the weather went colder so I never wore it out! I finally got to wear it out on Saturday morning in the field (My Dog Field – Cuddington) with the dogs! It came out a little short on me (I did not use all the fabric, and had around 50cm left over) and I did not like the width of the belt (I have remade the belt with the remainder of the fabric now – options!)
So, it fits me (UK22), Sarah (UK14) and my mum (UK10) – And looking at how good Sarah and my mum look in it, it certainly gives me motivation to keep on working on my weight!
Denim Blue Zero Waste Dress
My second dress was the Denim Blue. As a result of learning from the first dress, I adjusted the width of the belt and created a lighter, more fluid, shoulder-line (where the pull ties are). I am very pleased with the result!
Turquoise Zero Waste Dress
The third dress was to be in the Turquoise. As with the Denim Blue dress, I adjusted the width of the belt and created a lighter, more fluid, shoulder-line (where the pull ties are).
However, in view of my operation on the 16th June, I needed a light weight dressing gown to take to the hospital (and looking at the weather forecast, my enormous, thick black fleecy one would simply not do!).
So, instead of “completing the dress, I did not sew the front seam , as I intend to have it as a cool, light “dressing gown” to take to hospital with me on Thursday.
Pattern Flexibility
What I like most about this pattern is that, in the instructions, there are pattern options to suit various widths of fabrics, with creative manipulations like the pleated pocket that help you use the fabric fully. the way that the pattern is constructed, and the order of sewing up seams, can be altered in order to make variations of the pattern. You can customise the patter as much or as little as you wish (as I did with my 3rd dress(-ing gown)!
You can always actually make a scrunchie with the last bits (or a earphone pouch as I did in anticipation of needing them for my operation)!
What fabric to choose?
I chose 3m lengths of the same (deadstock) fabric, with keeping cool and ease of dressing post-op in mind:
- Maroon – washed, 100% Linen Melange
- Denim Blue -washed, 100% Linen Melange
- Turquoise -washed, 100% Linen Melange
The great thing about the zero waste dress is how versatile it is – it will work with most fabrics.
If you aren’t an experienced dressmaker, I would recommend plain fabric so that you don’t need to pattern‑match.
You can use almost any fabric really – and Offset Warehouse have some fabulously beautiful socially and environmentally responsible textiles and haberdashery suitable for fashion clothing and accessories. Their fabrics are dispatched from their UK-based warehouse, available in wholesale and retail quantities to customers worldwide.
Offset Warehouse only sells fabrics that combat the negative environmental impacts, worker exploitation and animal cruelty which remains rife in the industry. In doing so, they help improve (and indeed save) the lives of those working in the textile and fashion industry.
- For a light, summer day dress I recommend the following:
- Handwoven Black & Ecru Stripe Shirting
- Organic White Lightweight Basket Weave Cotton
- Tencel Satins
- Indigo Chambray
- Patterned Cambric
- For a casual, day-to-night look, I would recommend these Jersey fabrics, as they will provide a softer, slinky shape.
- For a smart, evening dress we would suggest any of their Silk fabrics or Recycled Polyester Satin.
- For a multi-season, casual utilitarian staple, these Denim & Twill fabrics would be ideal.
Also, if you get the opportunity, look at the deadstock / faulty fabrics which most companies have (e.g. Abakhan, Mostyn).
HOW MUCH FABRIC DO YOU NEED?
As the amount you need varies depending on the fabric you choose (narrower fabrics will require more meterage) and your measurements. On average, this dress requires 3-4 metres.
Measure:
- Your hips at the widest point
- Your bust at the fullest point
- From the top of your shoulder to your desired hemline
Once you have these measurements and have chosen a fabric (or shortlisted a couple!), the instructions will help you calculate how many metres you will need. In fact, Offset Warehouse were more than happy to assist you in calculating!
Offset Warehouse Zero Waste Dress workshop with Eve Tokens
Pictures showing Lydia (of Made My Wardrobe) in a capped sleeve version, a pleated pocket version and Eve in a modal‑silk jersey edit.
Other Zero Waste Patterns I will be trying in the Future
Recommended by @Offset_Warehouse, I now follow @elbe_textiles and @birgittahelmersson on Instagram, who also have a number of Zero Waste patterns. I am very excited to try these out in the future!
Elbe Textiles
Elbe Textiles is owned by the lovely Lauren, in Australia. She is also passionate about clothing and textiles, particularly sustainable and slow fashion and lives by the ethos ‘quality over quantity’. She offers a wide range of clothing patterns in PDF format, in addition to the Maynard Dress – a Zero Waste Design.
Birgitta Helmersson
Based in Malmö Sweden, Birgitta Helmersson designs and develops sewing patterns and clothing exclusively using zero waste pattern cutting, which means no fabric is wasted in the cutting and sewing process. Small collections are designed and made in-house with a small team, using natural and re-purposed fabrics.
Birgitta has 6 ZW (ZeroWaste) patterns (PDF) which are available for purchase:
Key Takeaways
- The Zero Waste Dress pattern from Offset Warehouse helps eliminate fabric waste by using all available fabric.
- This pattern suits people interested in sustainable fashion and offers flexibility for size and customization.
- I made three dresses: Maroon, Denim Blue, and Turquoise, each with different adjustments and uses.
- You can use various good quality fabrics, and Offset Warehouse offers socially responsible textiles.
- I plan to explore more zero waste patterns from Elbe Textiles and Birgitta Helmersson in the future.
