Women’s Peasant Dress Pattern

Free printable peasant dress pattern for adult females.

(The word for grown up girls is “women”. I dislike equating “women = fat” and “misses = thin”. Unmarried women come in all sizes, and neither maturity nor marital status doom one to be overweight. There’s a big fat opinion.)

Simple pattern in PDF format for 8.5 x 11 letter size paper.

NOTE – CUT THE SKIRT LONGER – the pattern piece is quite short, for cutting longer (why tape a bunch more sheets of paper together?) or adding a ruffle. Okay carry on.

None of the others were quite right, so I made up my own, with a smaller, more modest neckline instead of a huge gaping one, with plenty of fabric and a generous skirt.

For reference, I’m 5’8″ and 38-30-44, which may as well be designated Medium. I’m a Medium on top and the skirt is large enough πŸ™‚

Requires at least 6 yards of 44″ fabric if you cut the skirt panels in opposite directions (some up the grain and some down), but it’s nicer to cut the skirt front on a fold so there’s no front seam, and patch in the corners.

Here’s the original pattern.

Download the pattern in pdf for size Medium (38) and here’s the original round yoke pattern if you want it.

Here’s the same pattern for size XL Extra Large / Bust 42

There it is with the round yoke.

Here’s my spiral dress which was made out of this one.

NEW version in size S – M – L – XL

After some thought, I wanted the armholes a bit deeper, the back neckline a bit higher, and less gathering at the shoulder tops, also a little less fabric overall so the gathers aren’t quite as thick.

On something this simple it’s easy to check how big it will be. Print the pieces and use a ruler. Side to side at armpit level the size M pattern piece is 12.35″ wide. If you take away half inch for seam allowance that’s 11.85, times 4 (two pieces cut on fold makes four seam allowances), so the finished garment measurement would be 47.4 ish.

Assuming bustline measurements:
Small 34-36″
Medium 37-39″
Large 40-42″
XL 43-45″

So for size M that’s 8″ of finished garment ease. Plenty if you ask me. The waist is tapered a bit and you can adjust the elastic. The skirt should be flared enough for just about anyone.

Finished garment bust width:
Small 44.4
Med 47.4
Large 50.4
XL 53.4

(What’s up with all the point-fours? Kinda strange. The pattern pieces are 11.6, 12.35, 13.1 and 13.85 across, multiply by four and they all come out point four. I had to stare at that for a while. It’s just how it worked out.)

I don’t like the yoke any more so this uses a bias strip for a casing for elastic. (“Fold over twice to form a casing” on a curved edge doesn’t work in anybody’s universe although the commercial patterns don’t seem to have noticed yet.)

This hasn’t been tested on other sizes. I’m not a social critter so I have only the one size to test with, i.e. myself. Why not give it a try. Use a ruler to make sure it’s going to be plenty big enough before you cut. It’s easy to make it smaller. If you send me a photo and notes about your test that would be much appreciated.

Peasant dress in size S – M – L – XL now with a short skirt pattern piece, because why tape so many pieces of paper together. You can either cut it longer or add a ruffle.

And here’s how the new version comes out. It’s not much different, but I like it better with a bit less fabric.

Yes, that was made out of a flannel sheet. I’ve been making warm base layers for under jumpers. I’ll need quite a few of them until we get our own water for washing.

Our home now is camping. The electricity comes from a solar panel with a handle on it, and my phone gets a little internet on some days if I stand in just the right spot at the top of the hill. Not enough to make voice calls, but I can see my texts and emails.

And I’m happier than I’ve been for a long time!

Layout of the pieces on sheets of American letter paper, since someone asked:

Similar Posts

14 Comments

    1. Well, let's say her bust measurement is 34", that would be 4" smaller than my size Medium. So you'd want to take away one inch at each seam, side, front and back. Cut the side seams 1/2" smaller and lay the fold line 1/2" back from the fold in front and back. Makes sense?

  1. I was looking for a size small also, thanks for answering that question from the previous commenter. You are awesome!

    1. I had it down because I was working on it, er, "not doing anything about it for years." I didn't feel like it was quite perfect.
      Since you asked, there are the yoke pieces. I also just did the whole thing over and put it up πŸ™‚

  2. Exactly what I was looking for! I found a whole bunch of fabric my mom bought when she first moved here to Philly in 1968. I just needed the perfect pattern and you generously provided it! Thanks!

  3. When lining up pattern to you but edges or cut and match dots? I can’t wait to try this pattern thank you so much.

    1. Butt up the edges of the paper. I’ve got to remember to write that on the patterns. Hope it works out well for you. Let me know.

  4. Hi, I stumbled upon your sight while looking for a dress pattern and found yours for the peasant dress. I decided to try the x-large size as my figure is more mature and plump. I used a jersey knit and had to learn how to sew with knit as I have never sewn with knit but I loved the colors. The dress fit perfectly and I insertd a hidden pocket on one side as I use pockets alot. Thank you for this free pattern. I will be making more as it it so comfortable.

    1. Oh I love this, it came out so great! You’re right, that’s a pretty fabric. I’m so glad my pattern helped!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 512 MB. You can upload: image, video, document. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here