We have been waiting years (YEARS) to release this beautiful pattern, and the excitement in the workroom is running high! This pattern was first developed a few years ago and we had every intention of releasing it not too long after. Then we blinked – a whole lot of life happened – and here we are in 2025 finally introducing all of you to Marri! The modular slip dress and cami you’ve been waiting for!
Design Details
Marri is a camisole and slip dress with mix and match elements. The pattern features three necklines, three lengths, two straps widths, three strap configurations and handy design details like pockets (yay pockets!).
The idea behind this pattern is really to give you the best base pattern to build from. It’s a modular pattern by design which means you can mix and match the different elements of the pattern as you please!
All views of Marri include bust darts for a better fit, as well as very deep facings which are intentionally designed for you to get a bit more coverage if you want to wear your camisole or slip without a bra. You may notice that the bust darts sit slightly lower on your body to accomodate this, however you can always adjust the height of the darts to fit your body better by simply adjusting the strap length.
Did I mention that all the skirt lengths include cut lines for regular and tall? Don’t worry friends, I have you covered!
We’ll hold your hand ;)
Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing a comprehensive Marri sewalong so you can follow each step as well as some wonderful hacks, so watch this space!
Choosing Fabric
Marri works with a range of fabrics, and is best suited to light to medium weight fabrics. Consider what kind of garment you’d like to make when choosing your fabric. Lighter and floater fabrics are perfect for sleepwear, camisoles and sundresses and slips. If you go for something more medium weight like the denim we used for one of our samples, then you can easily make a jumper/pinafore dress for layering over something like the Rowan bodysuit pattern.
Marri is drafted on the straight grain for fabric economy, but don’t let that stop you if you prefer a bias cut slip dress! Remember it’s up to you, if you want to cut it on the bias, do so!
Way Too Many Variations
As per usual I lost all sense of reality and went overboard with how much I included in this pattern. I can’t help it, I love our community of makers and nothing makes me happier than giving you as many options and as much value as possible in one pattern.
To keep instruction simple I did divide all the options into three variations, but don’t let that hold you back, you can mix and match elements from each variation to match your own vision!
View A Camisole with square neckline, wide-tie straps and hem facings
View A is a square neck camisole with wide tie straps, hem facings and side slits. I love this view because it uses so little fabric and is an incredibly quick sew. I’m definitely a huge fan of tops that let pretty fabrics shine, and this is definitely one of them. I’ve found myself using up all the smaller yardage I’ve had hoarded for years, and it makes for an array of fun summer tops!
This view is designed with wide tie straps that are position to cover a standard bra strap – of course you are always able to adjust the back strap position for better bra strap coverage as well.
One of my favourite tricks with this view is to tie the ties around my bra strap on my shoulder which holds everything sneakily in place!
The length of this camisole is ever so slightly cropped so that it looks nice untucked, however I’ve tried to leave enough room so that you can tuck it in should you desire.
View B slip dress with curved neckline, narrow straps & optional pockets
View B is a classic slip dress with a curved neckline, narrow straps and optional pockets. I originally intended this view to work as a slip dress under other garments or as a nightie, but as soon as we started working on it I realised it had such awesome potential as a pinafore/jumper dress. And 1990’s Meg got excited and ran with it – scrunchie socks and pull on Chelsea boots and all ;)
I tried to show this a few different ways in the lookbook images, and I really hope you enjoy the versatility! For our Curve samples we made View B from a lovely floaty cupro and styled it for date night and also over a Rowan bodysuit for cooler weather.
Of course I had to style Marri under my lace Sudley dress that I made for Frocktails in 2019. I was actually wearing the very first test sample of Marri under that dress incase you were wondering how long the timeline is for me working on things. I’m slow and careful :)
This view in a lightweight floaty fabric makes for a great undergarment, sleepwear or even a sundress. But in a more medium weight fabric is great as a layering pinafore/jumper dress for colder weather.
View C Midi dress with v neckline, crossover straps, slits & pockets
Say hello to my favourite summer sundress! I have been wearing so many Marri View C dresses the last few years and it’s been kind of hard to avoid sharing them with you here or on social media – though i did realise I messed up in this video wearing one of them. Ooops!
This View includes a lovely V neckline which isn’t too low, as well as a lovely crossover strap detail in the back. One of my favourite things about the crossover straps is how it creates a gentle draping at the back neckline – swoon!
The side slits are a lovely detail which look so pretty but also are quite practical and make it possible to walk comfortably in a fairly straight long dress. You can make this dress with both slits, or just one, up to you!
This view is designed with a side hem which i think works really nicely with the slits as it adds a little weight to the hem and seam.
When sewing the inseam pockets you can sew them as per usual, but I actually really love topstitching over them in matching thread to secure them in a front facing position.
How Does it Fit?
This pattern has been drafted with a loose fit so that it doesn’t require any closures and you can easily slip it over your head. You can easily adjust the fit at the side seams, and there is a call out in the instructions to do this before finishing your garment. If you prefer a closer fit, just keep in mind you may need to add a side seam zipper to get it on and off.
All the sizes!
As with all our patterns Marri is available in sizes 0-20 and Curve sizes 14-34.
Choosing Your Size Range
If you find yourself in the crossover 14-20 sizes and are struggling to choose between the Marri and Marri Curve patterns we will have a comprehensive post coming detailing how to choose the pattern that’s best for you.
If you have any questions about this pattern please let me know in the comments or send us an email at hello@megannielsen.com. We’ve got a long list of inspiration posts and a huge sewalong to share over the coming weeks and I really hope you enjoy them.
We can’t wait to see what you create with the Marri slip dress pattern! Don’t forget to tag your makes #MNmarri and @megannielsenpatterns because we love seeing what you make!
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