Misses 6-16 (and see notes for sizing beyond this range below).
This traditional dress worn by women in Afghanistan is ideal for mixing fabrics and embellishments. This dress pattern has an extremely full skirt and sleeves. It is traditionally worn ankle length, but can be adapted to a shorter variation. The raised bodice is fitted and connects to skirt by the front waist band and underarm gussets. The neck opening can be placed at front or back. The skirt is gathered by a double line of even stitches, forming tiny, unpressed pleats. The back of the skirt has two tiers and fabric can be mixed or one kind.
There are three optional bodice embroidery treatments, using chain stitch, mirror cloth, and satin stitch which are all authentic detailing.
Suggested fabrics: Soft, medium-weight fabrics such as cotton, rayon challis, or silk; the upper sleeve and/or skirt may be of soft rayon or silk velvet. This dress is often made in many prints, which is a wonderful opportunity to use up bits and pieces of brilliant fabrics.
This pattern is available as a Paper pattern and PDF pattern. Choose the
pattern format you want in the drop down menu. The PDF pattern has instructions and files for copy shop (36” and A0), print at home (A4 and 8.5”x11”)
LEARN MORE:
Many of you have voted for an up-sizing of this popular pattern, but because it is composed mostly of rectangles it is easy to up-size it on your own. Open up the attached file for hints and help (pdf).
You can also see a blog post about sizing this pattern up here. Use the Folkwear sizing chart link above to find the size that best fits you (especially for bust measurement) and then you can choose the size in the chart in the blog post to adjust this pattern for your size.
Learn how to sew the gusset to the sleeve and the sleeve/gusset to the bodice.