Folkwear 201 Prairie Dress

Buy the 201 Prairie Dress sewing pattern from Folkwear. The stalwart women who braved the 19th century American prairie wore full yet practical housedresses of washable cotton, usually with an apron. The Prairie Dress falls to the ankles in voluminous gathers from a gracefully rounded yoke. It has long sleeves gathered at the shoulders and into buttoned cuffs. The ruffled collar is set into a collar band, and the dress has pockets set into both side seams. The deep front opening typical of this era closes with buttons in the yoke; hooks and eyes can be used to fasten the long opening.

The flounced apron has two keyhole pockets and a waistband that buttons in the back. Instructions for decorative feather stitch are included in the pattern. For contemporary wear, this dress is charming in the authentic version, loose or aproned, or it can be cut to street length (mid-calf). If you prefer, the front opening can be shortened, and the neck can be finished with the collar band only.

This sewing pattern is available to buy in the following formats:

– PDF (available to download immediately after purchase). What is a PDF?

– PDF pattern + Printed A0 copy shop (We print out the A0 pattern sheets, but you’ll need to download the digital instructions, as we don’t print these. The PDF files will be emailed immediately after purchase, and the A0 pattern sheets will be dispatched next working day). What is Copy Shop?

Note if purchasing copy shop printing: Some of the pattern pieces are divided across two A0 sheets. The A0 sheets will need to be joined with no overlap. 

Suggested fabrics:

Dress: Soft fabrics such as calico, gingham, muslin, lightweight cotton, rayon, or wool challis.

Apron: Light or medium-weight cotton such as gingham, broadcloth, or muslin.

Fabric requirements: Yardages are for fabrics with or without nap or one-way design.

Ankle length dress: 45" (115 cm) wide fabric: 5 3/8 - 6 1/4 yd (4.9 - 5.7 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 4 1/4 - 4 7/8 yd (3.9 - 4.5 m).

Mid-calf length dress: 45" (115 cm) wide fabric: 5 1/8 - 5 1/4 yd (4.7 - 4.8 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 3 5/8 - 4 1/4 yd (3.3 - 3.9 m).

Apron: 45" (115 cm) wide fabric: 2 1/2 yd (2.3 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 2 1/8 yd (1.9 m).

Sizing: XS - 3XL (approx. UK 4/6 – 28/30, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements.

Notions: Dress: thread; five buttons; hooks and eyes to fasten long front opening // Apron: thread; two buttons for waistband.

PDF pattern includes: Instructions; US letter/A4 print-at-home pattern (66 pages); 36″ wide copy shop pattern (1 sheet); A0 copy shop pattern (4 sheets).

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