Free printable peasant dress pattern for adult females.
(The word for grown up girls is “women”. Age and marital status do not doom anyone to being overweight, and there’s no guarantee that unmarried “misses” will be thin, either. Just saying.)
Simple pattern in PDF format for 8.5 x 11 letter size paper.
NOTE – CUT THE SKIRT LONGER – the pattern piece is quite short. Why tape a bunch more sheets of paper together? Or cut it that long and add a ruffle.
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 plenty large 🙂
I outputted four sizes, assuming bust measurement of –
Small 34-36″
Medium 37-39″
Large 40-42″
XL 43-45″
And the skirt is flared enough for just about anyone.
You can measure the pattern pieces and add them all together, then subtract seam allowance, to check how big it will come out. A total measurement eight inches larger than your body should be nice and loose fitting.
This hasn’t been tested on other sizes. I’m not a social critter so I have only the one size to test with.
Why not give it a try and let me know. Photos of your test are appreciated.
Here’s the pattern.
Download the pattern in sizes Small to XL
2024 test
I’m redoing it and adding more sizes. The armhole is longer and the back neckline is higher. Pattern will be up in a sec (a second is somewhere between the time you can hold your breath and a couple of months).
Edit – Pattern is UP (the link above). There you go. WOW – I got something done in a timely fashion!
Thinner version in size S – M – L – XL
I wanted to try it more streamlined, with narrower sleeves and less gathering at the shoulder tops.
Less fluffy peasant dress in size S – M – L – XL
And here’s how the new version comes out. It’s not much different, but a bit lighter with 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 pile of them to get me through between trips to the laundry, until we get our own water for washing.
Our home now is camping. The electricity comes from a folding portable solar panel. 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 size paper, since someone asked:
Takes about 6 yards of 44″ fabric if you cut the skirt panels in opposite directions, but I think it’s nicer to cut the skirt front on a fold so there’s no front seam, and patch in the corners.
This is what I mean by patching in the corners.
The sleeve piece should fit on doubled 44″ fabric. If it doesn’t because the fabric is narrower, like this cheap fabric I bought some years ago, just cut it a little smaller. It won’t make enough difference that you’d need to patch or to lay out the pieces in a more wasteful manner. I mean the regular, wider sleeve in the first pattern. (The narrower one will definitely fit.) First picture shows the problem. mark one side, then scoot the piece so the other side is on the fabric. Cut the top edge smoothly. Second picture shows the resulting piece laid on top of the pattern for comparison.
Thank you almost what I was looking for…..x
What were you looking for?
My daughter is small adult
How do I resize for her
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?
I was looking for a size small also, thanks for answering that question from the previous commenter. You are awesome!
Hi. Do you have pattern or instructions to make the neckline with a round yoke.?
I had it down because I was working on it. I didn’t feel like it was quite perfect.
If you want it, here –
https://www.janelwashere.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Janel_peasant_b38_orig_yoke.pdf
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!
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.
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.
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.
Oh I love this, it came out so great! You’re right, that’s a pretty fabric. I’m so glad my pattern helped!
what does the pattern look like when all taped up?
I just added a graphic showing how the pieces go together.
Hi
I love this peasant top pattern have used it many times short sleeve long sleeve in between sleeve. I wanted to do the dress, but I have a question. I don’t understand the part where when you cut the skirt it says fill in the corners? I am quite new to sewing and don’t understand what that means as most skirt patterns just say cut on the fold, which are the same geometric as yours. Thank you again for the free pattern. It is wonderful.
Oh I’m so glad it has worked for you! Love to see some pictures. I just added a sketch above to show what I meant by patching in the corners. It wouldn’t hurt to cut the skirt a little smaller too, as it’s quite generous.