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