Folkwear 121 Guatemalan Gabacha

Buy the 121 Guatemalan Gabacha sewing pattern from Folkwear. In the late 20th century, the town of Cantel boasted the largest textile mill in Guatemala, producing ginghams, plaids and other practical fabrics for all domestic uses. This brightly coloured fabric was fashioned into gabachas, or full aprons, with the yoke, cuffs, pockets and ruffle cut on the bias to provide decorative contrast.

Worn by women in the home and marketplaces, this pert pinafore has puffed sleeves with either a narrow straight cuff or decorative shaped cuff; or it may be worn sleeveless. For contemporary wear, Folkwear's version closes at the centre back with a zipper. The dress is gathered at the front waist with a tie belt that emerges from shaped pockets. It also gathers at the square yoke in front and back and falls to street length, finishing with a hem ruffle. Instructions are included for the authentic open-backed apron version too.

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: One of the pattern pieces is divided across two A0 sheets. The A0 sheets will need to be joined with no overlap. 

Suggested fabrics: Light to medium weight cotton or blends; rayon; linen; silk. Gabachas were traditionally made in cotton ginghams and plaids, with yoke, cuffs, pockets and ruffle cut on the bias as a decorative treatment.

Fabric requirements: Yardages are given for fabrics without nap, pile or one-way design.

Dress or apron: 45″ (115 cm) wide fabric*: 3 3/4 - 4 1/2 yd (3.4 - 4.1 m) // 60″ (150 cm) wide fabric*: 2 7/8 - 3 3/4 yd (2.6 - 3.4 m).

Dress or apron with optional bias-cut detailing (ginghams or plaids): 45″ (115 cm) wide fabric**: 3 3/4 - 4 3/4 yd (3.4 - 4.3 m) // 60" (150 cm) wide fabric: 3 1/8 - 4 yd (2.9 - 3.7 m).

* For sleeveless version, omit 1/2 yd (45.8 cm) from yardages given for sizes XL-3XL with 45" (115 cm) wide fabric. Omit 1/4 yd (22.8 cm) for sizes XS-LG with 45" (115 cm) wide fabric, and for all sizes for 60" (150 cm) wide fabric.

** For sleeveless version, omit 1/2 yd (45.8 cm) from yardages given. No yardage should be subtracted for 60" (150 cm) wide fabric.

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: Thread // For dress: 18"-20" (46-51 cm) zipper; hook and eye // For apron: 1 yd (91 cm) ribbon for ties.

PDF pattern includes: Instructions; US letter/A4 print-at-home pattern (45 pages); 36″ wide copy shop pattern (1 sheet); A0 copy shop pattern (3 sheets).

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