Overalls Sewing Pattern Free PDF 8 Sizes + Video

Some sewing projects are fun to make.

Others quietly become the thing you keep pulling out of your closet because they work with almost everything.

These overalls are definitely in the second group.

They have a comfortable relaxed fit, long legs, simple shoulder straps and enough room underneath for a tank top in summer, a fitted turtleneck in fall or a cozy knit when the weather gets colder.

And because the shape is simple, fabric changes the personality completely. Make them from linen for soft summer overalls, cotton twill for everyday wear, or a sturdier denim for a more traditional dungaree look.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to sew a pair of overalls step by step using my free overalls sewing pattern in 8 sizes.

The printable PDF pattern is available at the very end of this post for my subscribers. The subscription is free, and the sewing pattern is free too.

So first, let’s sew them.

Watch the Overalls Sewing Video Tutorial

If you prefer seeing the construction before you start sewing, watch the video tutorial first.

You’ll be able to see how the front and back pieces come together, how I finish the upper edge, and how the shoulder straps are attached.

I especially recommend watching the strap section before sewing yours. The construction is simple, but seeing how the straps sit on the body makes it much easier to decide exactly how long you want them.

You can keep this written tutorial open while you sew and use the video whenever a step is easier to understand visually.

Overalls, Dungarees or Jumpsuit?

You will sometimes see similar one-piece garments described as overalls, dungarees or jumpsuits, but they are not always exactly the same thing.

A jumpsuit usually has more of a complete bodice and is worn as the main garment on its own.

Overalls and dungarees are usually more relaxed and are designed with shoulder straps so another top can be worn underneath.

This pattern sits much closer to that relaxed overalls style, which is why I now think of it as an overalls sewing pattern rather than simply a jumpsuit pattern.

And honestly, that makes it much more useful in a handmade wardrobe.

Instead of having one outfit, you can change the top underneath and create completely different looks from the same pair of overalls.

Materials & Tools Needed:

To sew an overall jumpsuit, you’ll need a set of essential tools to ensure that the sewing process is smooth and the final product is well-crafted.

Materials:

• Pattern paper: To draft or print your jumpsuit pattern.
• Fabric: Choose a comfortable and suitable fabric for your design, such as woven crepe or cotton fleece.
• Bias tape (optional). Check out how to make it yourself here.
• Fabric marker: For marking out pattern pieces on the fabric.
• Thread: To match the fabric and construct the jumpsuit. Learn more on threads

Tools:

• Tape measure: For taking accurate body measurements.
• Scissors: For cutting fabric and pattern paper. Learn more on using scissors
• Sewing pins: To hold fabric pieces together before sewing.
• Ruler: To help with drawing straight lines and measurements.
• Sewing machine:: For stitching the fabric pieces together efficiently.
• Seam Ripper: In case you need to remove stitches and make corrections. Learn more on using scissors

You will also need a magnetic seam guide or a magnet to help you sew evenly.

These are the basic necessities for sewing a jumpsuit. Depending on your design, you might need additional materials like zippers, buttons, or decorative elements.

Best Fabric for Sewing Overalls

Fabric choice makes a surprisingly big difference with this pattern.

For soft, relaxed overalls, choose a woven fabric with a little drape. Linen, linen blends, chambray and medium-weight cotton all work beautifully.

For a more traditional dungaree pattern look, choose something slightly sturdier such as cotton twill or lightweight denim.

Very heavy denim or canvas can work too, but I would save those for a later version if you are a beginner. Thick fabric creates more bulk around seams, hems and straps.

If you are sewing your first pair, medium-weight woven cotton is probably the easiest option.

It is stable enough to cut accurately but still comfortable enough for the loose fit of the pattern.

You can also use the fabric to change the season completely.

Soft linen makes beautiful summer overalls.

Chocolate brown or olive twill would make a lovely fall pair.

Black linen or cotton creates something simple and slightly more polished.

And classic blue denim gives you the familiar everyday dungaree look.

How Much Fabric Do I Need?

The exact amount depends on your size, fabric width and whether you make the full-length or shortened version.

For the original full-length version, allow approximately 2–4 yards of fabric, depending on your size and fabric width.

Before cutting, wash and dry the fabric the way you plan to care for the finished garment.

This is especially important with cotton, linen and denim because some natural fabrics can shrink during the first wash.

Choose Your Overalls Size

For this pattern, your hip measurement is the most important measurement when choosing a size.

Stand naturally and measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the measuring tape parallel to the floor.

Do not pull the tape tightly.

Compare your measurement with the size chart and remember that these overalls are designed to have a relaxed fit.

If you fall between two sizes, think about the look you want.

Choose the larger size if you prefer a looser pair of overalls or want enough room for thicker layers underneath.

Choose the smaller size if you prefer slightly less volume.

Size Chart

According to your measurements, you can check the size chart to find the best size for you:

Free Overalls Sewing Pattern in 8 Sizes

I created this printable overalls sewing pattern in 8 sizes so you can skip drafting the main garment pieces yourself and go straight to sewing.

The PDF pattern is completely free for my blog subscribers.

Subscribing is free too.

You’ll find the download section at the very end of this post, after the full tutorial.

If you are new to printable patterns, read my guide to printing and assembling PDF sewing patterns before printing the complete file.

Always print the test page first at 100% or Actual Size and check the test square before printing the remaining pages.

A tiny printer scaling error becomes much bigger once several pages are joined together.

Seam Allowance

The seam allowance is already included in this pattern.

Do not add another seam allowance around the pattern pieces unless you are deliberately making a fit adjustment.

Self Draft Dream Pattern For Jumpsuit

If you’re interested in designing your own jumpsuit pattern and giving it a personal touch, this guide is perfect for you! I’ve created a video tutorial specifically for beginners, which will guide you through the entire process with simple and clear steps. You’ll also find some helpful tips along the way to make it even easier.

How to create own dream jumpsuit pattern.

Before Cutting Your Fabric

Lay your pre-washed and pressed fabric on a large flat surface.

Place the pattern pieces following the grainline markings and make sure nothing shifts while you cut.

Transfer any important pattern marks before removing the paper pieces.

Accurate cutting really does make sewing easier later, especially around the crotch and side seams where the front and back pieces need to match cleanly.

How to Sew Overalls Step by Step

Once everything is cut, the construction is actually quite straightforward.

You are essentially building the lower part of the garment first, finishing the upper edges, and then adding the shoulder straps.

Learn how to cut out fabric according to sewing pattern.

Sewing Sleeves (Optional):

• Position the sleeves 6 cm from the waistline on each side of the jumpsuit.
• Pin in place, ensuring the fabric’s right sides are facing each other.
• Stitch the sleeves to the main body of the jumpsuit.

Check out my detailed post and video on how to sew and attach sleeves.

Sew the Front and Back

• Place the matching front pieces right sides together and sew the front crotch seam.
• Repeat with the back pieces.
• Press the seams carefully.
• If your fabric frays easily, finish the raw edges with a serger, zigzag stitch or another seam finish you like.

Check out my post on sewing and attaching pockets with free PDF patterns.

Join the Front and Back

• Place the front and back right sides together.
• Match the side seams and pin everything in place.
• Sew both side seams, keeping the seam allowance consistent from the upper edge all the way down the legs.
• Next, match and sew the inside leg seam.
• Take a little extra time around the crotch intersection so the seams meet neatly.
• Turn the overalls right side out and try them on before moving to the finishing steps.

This is a good moment to check the overall length and decide whether you want full-length pants, ankle-length overalls or shorts.

Learn how to hem here.

Finish the Upper Edge

• Turn the upper raw edge toward the wrong side and press.
• Fold it again to hide the raw edge and create a clean finish.
• Pin carefully around the entire upper opening and topstitch close to the folded edge.
• Pressing before stitching is what makes this simple finish look much more polished.

Make the Shoulder Straps

• Prepare the fabric strips for your shoulder straps.
• Fold each strap lengthwise with right sides together and sew along the long edge.
• Turn the straps right side out and press them flat.
• You can topstitch along the edges if you want slightly more structure and a ready-to-wear finish.
• The tie straps are one of my favorite details on this pattern because they are naturally adjustable straps.

Instead of needing hardware, you simply change where you tie them.

That also gives you a little flexibility depending on what you wear underneath your overalls.

A thin summer top needs less room than a sweater or turtleneck underneath.

Attach the Shoulder Straps

• Position the straps evenly on the upper edge of the overalls.
• Pin them securely and try the garment on before stitching permanently.
• Check that the front sits at a comfortable height and that the straps are not pulling the garment upward.
• Once you are happy with the position, stitch the straps securely in place.
• For extra strength, sew across the attachment area more than once.

Read this detailed post and watch video on how to sew and attach straps.

If you prefer spaghetti straps check out this post with video.

Hem the Legs

• Try your overalls on with the shoes you are most likely to wear with them.
• Mark the finished length.
• Turn the raw edge toward the wrong side, press, fold again and stitch around each leg.

For a casual version, you can also make the legs slightly longer and roll the cuffs when wearing them.

Add Optional Pockets

A simple pair of overalls is a perfect blank canvas for pockets.

You can add patch pockets to the front or back, or make a classic front bib pocket for a stronger dungaree look.

A bib pocket can be as simple as a rectangle with the upper edge hemmed and the remaining edges pressed underneath before topstitching it onto the front.

Large back patch pockets also work especially well with denim or cotton twill.

If you want a cleaner, more minimal pair of overalls, simply leave the pockets off.

That is one of the nice things about a simple overall pattern: little changes make each version feel completely different.

Easy Ways to Change the Pattern

Once you have sewn the basic version, you can use the same pattern as a starting point for several different styles.

• Shorten the legs for summer dungarees.
• Widen the lower leg slightly for a more dramatic wide-leg overall.
• Add large patch pockets for a workwear look.
• Add a front bib pocket.
• Topstitch the seams with contrasting thread.
• Make the straps longer for larger bows.
• Use matching fabric for a minimalist look or contrast fabric for the straps and pockets.
• You can also change the fabric weight instead of changing the pattern at all. A linen version and a denim version made from the same sewing pattern can look like two completely different garments

How to Style Handmade Overalls

This is where this pattern becomes especially useful.

Instead of treating the overalls as one complete outfit, I like thinking of them as a base layer that connects with other pieces in a handmade wardrobe.

Overalls + Turtleneck

For fall and winter, this might be my favorite combination.

Wear the overalls over my free basic turtleneck sewing pattern.

The fitted shape of the turtleneck balances the loose fit of the overalls, and the long sleeves make a sleeveless pair of overalls wearable much further into the year.

A black, cream, chocolate or muted olive turtleneck would work beautifully underneath denim, linen or neutral-colored overalls.

And this is exactly why I like sewing simple basics: suddenly two separate sewing projects become several outfits.

Overalls + Singlet Top

For summer, keep everything much lighter.

Wear the overalls over my free singlet top pattern and make the overalls from washed linen or lightweight cotton.

You can wear the legs full length with sandals or shorten the pattern into overall shorts.

This combination also works well when the shoulder straps are tied slightly looser for a more relaxed summer fit.

Overalls + Boxy Cardigan

For transitional weather, layer my boxy cardigan sewing pattern over the overalls.

Because both pieces have relaxed shapes, I would keep the top underneath fairly simple and fitted.

The cardigan can stay open so the bib and shoulder straps are still visible.

A chocolate cardigan over natural linen overalls would be especially lovely for fall.

Overalls + Boxy Jacket

For something a little more structured, wear the overalls with my free boxy jacket sewing pattern.

The jacket adds shape over the relaxed fit of the overalls without turning the outfit too formal.

This would be especially nice if the overalls are made from soft linen and the jacket from a more structured woven fabric.

It also gives you an easy way to mix different handmade textures without needing complicated garments.

Overalls + Handmade Sweater

If you purposely make your overalls with enough ease, you can also wear a lightweight version of my free sweater sewing pattern underneath.

Keep the sweater fabric reasonably light so the layers do not become bulky around the waist and hips.

For colder weather, another option is to wear the sweater over the overalls so only the pants portion is visible.

Suddenly your overalls look almost like relaxed trousers.

That is one of my favorite little wardrobe tricks because nobody needs to know how many times you are secretly wearing the same garment.

A Handmade Wardrobe Works Better When the Pieces Connect

This is something I have started thinking about much more when sewing clothes.

A project does not have to be dramatic to be worth making.

Sometimes the most useful sewing patterns are the ones that connect everything else.

A simple turtleneck works underneath dresses and overalls.

A cardigan works over tops, dresses and jumpsuits.

A boxy jacket works over almost everything.

And these overalls can change completely depending on which of those handmade pieces you wear with them.

If you enjoy building that kind of practical handmade wardrobe, my straight-leg pants sewing pattern is another good basic to sew next. It has the same idea behind it: comfortable enough for everyday life but simple enough to style again and again.

Your Handmade Overalls Are Ready

And that is it — your new pair of handmade overalls is ready to wear.

This is one of those patterns where I would definitely consider making more than one version.

Start with an easy cotton or linen pair.

Then try sturdy twill or denim.

Add a bib pocket to one.

Make another pair with wide legs.

Shorten the next one for summer.

Because the basic construction stays simple, you can spend your time playing with the parts that actually make sewing fun: fabric, fit and little design details.

And once you start pairing the overalls with the tops, sweaters, cardigans and jackets you have already sewn, they stop feeling like a single sewing project and start becoming part of an actual handmade wardrobe.

That is always my favorite part.

Not just sewing another garment.

Sewing something you keep finding new reasons to wear.

Download the Free Overalls Sewing Pattern

The printable overalls sewing pattern comes in 8 sizes and is available free for my blog subscribers.

The subscription is free, and the pattern is free too.

Choose your size using the pattern size chart, print the PDF at 100% or Actual Size, check the test square, assemble your pattern and then come back to the tutorial above whenever you need it.

If you are already subscribed, you can access the pattern below.

If you are new here, subscribe for free to unlock the pattern and start sewing your own pair of overalls.

Happy sewing!

Free Jumpsuit Sewing Pattern