Folkwear Patterns

About the Beach Pyjamas Beach Pyjamas, made of silk, linen, or cotton, often in bright, cubist-inspired prints, were the height of summer and resort fashion in the 1920s and 1930s.  They were worn from the afternoon to the evening as...

About the Metro Middy Blouse This Blouse reflects the military styling of World War I uniforms, as well as the new interest in comfortable and practical two-piece garments. The easy-sew blouse features a breezy, loose fit; slightly belled sleeves; flared...

About the English Smock Smocks have been worn by rural laborers as protective overgarments for hundreds of years. The technique of hand-smocking evolved from the way many of these early garments were fitted, sized, and embellished.  English Smocks were most...

About the Schoolmistress' Shirtwaist & Skirt Our Schoolmistress Shirtwaist and Skirt dates from about 1907, a period when women's clothing became more man-tailored. This pattern was taken from a matched set made in white cotton with black threads woven to...

About the Victorian Shirt This romantic shirt dates from the 1820s, when such poets as Byron, Shelley, and Keats wore their collars open in defiance of conventional fashion. French authoress George Sand took not only a man's name, but men's...

About the Victorian Shirt This fashionable dress shirt was featured in Harper’s Bazaar in the 1870s, and as rural people began to emulate urban trends, it was adopted in America and Europe by farmers and tradesmen, who continued to use...

About the Vests from Greece and Poland These authentic designs can be lavishly decorated, embroidered, appliquéd, and otherwise embellished. This sewing pattern include a short vest for men or women from Greece, a mid-calf Greek vest, and two variations of a...

About the Chinese Jacket This sewing pattern for a classic jacket in three lengths and with front or asymmetrical opening is descended from the noblewoman's attire of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).  It is still worn by people of Chinese heritage around the...

About the Afghan Dress This traditional dress worn by women in Afghanistan is ideal for mixing fabrics and embellishments. This dress pattern has an extremely full skirt and sleeves. It is traditionally worn ankle length, but can be adapted to...

About the Guatemalan Gabacha European immigration between 1900-1930 to the Quetzaltenango area added new styles and techniques to the extraordinarily rich textile tradition of Guatemala. In the late 20th century, the town of Cantel boasted the largest textile mill in...

About the Thai Fisherman Pants The Thai Fisherman’s Pants first appeared in the late 1800s in what is now Thailand (then called Siam). The design was similar to this sewing pattern, with large pants legs and an oversized waistband that...

About the Hawaiian Mu'umu'u Considered aloha attire, this loose and breezy garment has its origins in the 1800s when missionaries adapted their Mother Hubbard-style dresses to fit Hawaiian women. Originally a tool of assimilation, native Hawaiians have since adapted and...