Folkwear Patterns is dedicated to creating sewing patterns for ethnic and cultural clothing from all over the world and throughout history. From cheongsams to han boks to dirndls to flapper dresses to vintage bathing suits! They offer a huge variety.

It’s a gold mine of basic patterns for say halloween costumes! Theater Productions, Renaissance Fairs, LARPing etc. Yup. Looking for a Samurai Costume? Find it here. Need a Tango Dress? A Sailor’s Outfit? Cowgirl? It’s here. Or perhaps outfitting your next theater troupe or your child’s play that needs Poodle Skirts and Varsity Jackets. Greased Lightning!? Or you and your special someone’s custom renaissance fair outfits! Home sewers can sew your own!

If you’d like to sew your own traditional cultural costumes, this site has a great variety from many cultures from Greece and Poland to Vietnam and Nepal to Scottish and Austrian to Afgan and Egyptian to Bolivian and Huichol. And many historical clothing styles like Edwardian, Victorian, Frontier, and Prairie! Also great for pattern makers and designers as a starting point for your own designs!

  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #205 Gibson Girl Blouse
    Misses Small to 3X. $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #207 Kinsale Cloak
    One size for men and women (finished length from center back neckline to hemline is 55″/139cm). $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #226 Princess Slip
    Misses 6-16. $14.95
    (No longer avail. for sale.)
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #508 Traveling Suit
    Misses’ 6-20. $22.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #503 Poiret Cocoon Coat
    Misses’ Extra Small to Extra Large. $19.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #270 Metro Middy Blouse
    Misses Extra Small to 3X Large $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #133 Belgian Military Chef’s Jacket
    Misses 8-18; Men’s 34-44. $14.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #101 Gaza Dress
    Misses 6-18. $14.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #123 Austrian Dirndl
    Misses 8-16. $19.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #206 Quilted Prairie Skirt
    Misses 6-16. $14.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #227 Edwardian Bridal Gown
    Misses 6-16. $19.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #119 Sarouelles
    Misses 6-18; Men’s 32-44 $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #127 Seminole Jacket & Skirt
    Misses 6-16; Men’s 34-44. $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #153 Siberian Parka
    Sized for men and women Extra Small to Extra Large. $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    # 118 Tibetan Panel Coat
    Misses 6-18. $19.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #130 Australian Bush Outfit
    Misses 8-20; Men’s 34-44. $19.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #208 #208 Kinsale Cloak
    for Young Maidens
    Girls 2-12. $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #223 A Lady’s Chemise
    Extra Small to 3X Large. $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #132 Moroccan Burnoose
    All sizes. $14.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #218 Child’s Frontier Shirt
    Child’s 4-14. $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #220 Garden Party Dress
    Misses 8-14. $14.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #228 Victorian Christening Gown
    & Toddler’s Dress.
    Infants 2-9 months; Toddlers 1-4.
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #225 Childhood Dreams
    Girls 2-12. $14.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #203 Edwardian Underthings
    Misses Extra Small to 3XLarge. $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #125 Huichol Wardrobe
    Blouse and skirt Misses 6-16;
    Other pieces Misses small to Men’s large. $19.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #253 Vintage Bathing Costume
    Misses 6-20. $19.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #222 Vintage Vests
    Misses 6-16; Men’s 36-44. $16.95
  • Folkwear Patterns - WWWWWW
    #126 Vests from Greece and Poland
    Misses 6-16; Men’s 34-44. $16.95

Founded by three women in California during the 1970’s it was bought and sold to Taunton Press (Threads Magazine) then Lark Books (Fiberarts Magazine) and then sold off again to Sterling. However, now it is once again independently owned by three women today that continues to publish its wonderful array of cultural sewing patterns. I hope they bring ALL their original patterns back into publication.

I first discovered Folkwear Patterns via Twitter from @RevivalFabrics.

Where To Buy:
You can buy patterns directly from their website here – pattern index.
Folkwear Patterns also has a Retailer List on their website.
Ebay has many resellers that not only sell current patterns but vintage and out-of-print Folkwear Pattern patterns as well.