Folkwear Patterns - Hawaiian Mu'umu'u

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 individualised this dress and all ages wear it to social events, family gatherings, and for some styles of hula. The mu'umu'u's popularity has spread worldwide due to its comfort, ease of wear, and colourful prints. Typically mu‘umu‘u are made of cotton and feature tropical florals, or traditional Hawaiian motifs. You can make this garment from silks or linens or solid fabrics as well.

The sewing pattern features three views, each with a different sleeve option: sleeveless, short sleeve, and elbow-length sleeve. The short sleeve is bell-shaped, while the longer sleeve has elastic at the cuff and falls to below the elbow. All three dresses feature princess seams, side darts with cleverly hidden pockets in the dart (optional), and an interior elastic belt to add additional shaping to the front as desired. The back is gathered to a pointed yoke and the front yoke is a smooth crew-neck shape. This dress is a perfect warm-weather outfit for comfort and style.

The Fabric

Select light to mid-weight woven cotton fabrics, such as lawn, ikat, seersucker, chambray, poplin, double-gauze, batik, brocade, muslin, poplin, eyelet, and batiste. Light to mid-weight linen, rayon, and silk are good choices as well. Fabrics with bold or subtle prints/designs are typical - Hawaiian prints, block prints, florals, abstract.

Sizing

This pattern is a multi-sized patterns including sizes XS - 3XL ( bust 30 1/2" [78 cm] to 54" [135cm]).

Level of Difficulty

There is no specified level of difficultly on the pattern, but Folkwear have very good instructions.