Folkwear 265 Afternoon Tea Dress

Buy the 265 Afternoon Tea Dress sewing pattern from Folkwear. The gracious life of the proper Edwardian lady demanded different fashions for different times of the day. Tea gowns were worn in the later afternoon, marking the time between daywear and eveningwear. They were immensely popular because women could put their tight corsets aside for several hours and enjoy the comfort of these loose-fitting, casual styles of soft layered fabrics, yet still be tastefully presentable for visitors.

Folkwear's Afternoon Tea Dress, inspired by 1912-1913 Edwardian tea gowns, is adaptable to any occasion or time of day. Whether made as a sumptuous wedding gown, feminine maternity fashion, slinky nightclub number, or a top for everyday, this pattern features many versatile elements.

The dress has an optional drape that is artfully arranged at the centre front and held in place with a gathered belt. An easy-sew bow can be attached to the front or back of the belt for further ornamentation. The sweetheart tunic wraps in front and can be held in place with the belt. The ruffled-sleeve pullover tunic can be worn belted or hanging straight. The tops are also wonderful on their own.

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). You will receive all nine A0 sheets. 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, Drape, Belt, Bow: Silk polyester satin, brocade, jacquard; lightweight silk or rayon velvet.

Tunics: Lightweight and/or sheer cotton, silk, rayon, polyester; lace; novelty velvet.

Fabric requirements: 

Dress only - fabric with nap, on straight grain: 45" (115 cm) wide fabric: 2 3/4 - 3 3/4 yd (2.6 - 3.4 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 2 - 2 3/4 yd (1.9 - 2.5 m).

Dress only - fabric without nap, on bias: 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 2 1/4 - 3 yd (2 - 2.7 m).

Optional drape: Add 2 1/2 yd (2.3 m) to dress yardage.

Dress lining - without nap: 45" (115 cm) wide fabric: 5/8 yd (0.6 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 1/2 yd (0.4 m).

Pullover tunic - with or without nap: 45" (115 cm) wide fabric: 3 3/8 - 3 1/2 yd (3.1 - 3.2 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 2 5/8 - 3 yd (2.4 - 2.7 m).

Sweetheart tunic - with or without nap: 45" (115 cm) wide fabric: 2 5/8 - 3 1/8 yd (2.4 - 2.8 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 yd (1.6 - 2 m).

Optional bow - with or without nap: 45" (115 cm) wide fabric: 1 7/8 yd (1.7 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 1 1/2 yd (1.3 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.

The dress has B, C and D cup options. Note these are dressmakers cup sizes (rather than bra cup sizes).

Notions: Thread; lightweight interfacing for dress straps; 18" (45.5 cm) zipper for dress; 1 hook-and-eye set for dress; medium-weight interfacing for belt; 3 hook-and-eye sets for belt; bias binding for tunics (self-fabric or purchased) // Optional: hook-and-eye sets or snaps to attach bow to belt; 2 tassels for tails of bow.

PDF pattern includes: Instructions; US letter/A4 print-at-home pattern (60 pages for dress, 31 pages for pullover tunic, 36 pages for sweetheart tunic); 36″ wide copy shop pattern (1 sheet for dress, 1 sheet for pullover tunic, 2 sheets for sweetheart tunic); A0 copy shop pattern (4 sheets for dress, 3 sheets for pullover tunic, 2 sheets for sweetheart tunic).

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