- Home
- About
-
Shop
-
Sewing Patterns
-
Fabric
- Sewing Supplies
- Folkwear Clothing
-
- Blog
- Customer Gallery
- Contact
You have asked for them . . . and Folkwear has worked on getting more patterns graded to larger sizes into the mix. Many people are surprised by how many plus-sized patterns we have! We have graded some patterns up, produced patterns in larger sizes, and worked to make sure everyone who sews might be able to use some Folkwear patterns. Including patterns for women (and men) of all sizes is important to Folkwear.
We have grouped our patterns below into patterns made in just one size (one-size-fits-all), patterns that go up to Misses Extra Large (XL or size 22-24), 2XL (or size 26-28), and 3XL (size 30-32). Most of these are sized are according to our own grade rule, though some of the early patterns are sized according to height, or were labeled slightly differently.
Patterns with an (*) beside the name are also sized for men, which means they have been graded up a bit farther than the women's sizes, depending on the pattern.
To see our grade rule (sizing chart), click here.
One Size (check pattern for finished measurements):
151 Japanese Hakama & Kataginu*
Patterns that go up to XL (or size 22-24):
133 Belgian Military Chief's Jacket*
135 Jewels of India (PDF pattern)
140 Flamenco Dress & Practice Skirt
Patterns that go to 2XL:
116 Shirts of Ukraine and Russia*
126 Vests of Greece and Poland
135 Jewels of India (PDF pattern, Kurta Shirt)
204 Missouri River Boatman's Shirt*
Patterns up to 3XL (or size 30-32)
Our 131 Tibetan Chupa pattern is based on the authentic garment worn as part of the traditional dress for men and women of the Tibetan region of the Himalayas. For centuries, the chupa (or chuba) was worn with added layers of shirts, aprons, woolen sashes, and a panel coat. Today, you can wear this on its own or with a blouse for a beautiful modern look. Our chupa features a wrap front and shaping that results in a slimming silhouette. The dress is not a full wrap because you step into the skirt portion (or pull over), so will never flap open!
Sized for Missses Extra Small to Extra Large, it also includes a pattern for a chupa-inspired skirt. This is a simple garment to sew and very easy to fit. You can make it in various lengths from above knee to maxi length (I love my above-knee chupa). This is a such a flattering pattern - and perfect for spring. It can be worn in this changing weather - layered in cooler temps, and on its own in warmer ones, taking you right into the next season!
We are also featuring the 223 A Lady's Chemise this month. Usually hand-stitched of fine lawn or muslin, the chemise was the garment worn next to a lady's skin in the Victorian era. Today, our Lady's Chemise is the perfect nightgown or simple summer dress, or shirt. Delicate pleats accent the center front and back of the neckline (which is adjustable with ribbon drawstrings), and the short cap sleeves are gathered and ruffled. This garment can be cut at knee length for a gown/dress or at the hip to make a blouse. We also include instructions and alphabet designs for a Victorian monogram and authentic detailing.
Isn't this a gorgeous setting? We do most of our photo shoots now at my husband's grandparents home, a historic inn that his artist great-grandmother decorated in the 1910s (and it hasn't changed much since then!).
The early 1900s witnessed many avant-garde innovations as people freed themselves from the constraints of the late Victorian society. Both fashion and the arts were tremendously affected by new interpretations of classical styles, with outright revolts against recent tradition. Isodora Duncan (1878-1927) was an influential figure in the 19010s and today is regarded as the founder of modern dance. She revolutionized dance with her free-form interpretive movements and scandalized audiences by wearing non-restrictive, flowing robes that she adapted from Classical Greek vase paintings.
Our Greek Island Dress pays homage to this unforgettable woman. The dress is a 
loose fitting sheath with back zipper and narrow shoulder straps. A jacket or tunic is made to be worn over the sheath dress. The jacket has a center back goddet that adds flair without adding fullness and a dramatic collar that extends over the sleeves like a filmy canopy. The tunic is a breeze to sew, with front and back sailor collar and floating sleeve panels that can hang or be attached along the top of the arm. This classic dress/tunic is on trend right now, with statement sleeves and the cold-shoulder look.
We are featuring #266 Greek Island Dress this month, and it is on sale for the entire month of May! This dress would make a fabulous summer gown to wear at a wedding or to the beach. Made of soft filmy fabrics like chiffons or gauze, it is a perfect and unique summer make. Do you have some beautiful sheer fabric in your stash and not sure what to do with it? This is the dress to try!
Also, to help you make this dress, I will be posting some tips on sewing with sheer and lace lacy fabrics later this month. So, keep an eye out for it!
Enjoy!
I love the great small businesses that stock Folkwear patterns! They are fabric stores, sewing supply shops, online retailers, specialists in historic costuming, and on and on. Folkwear can be found in their shops all through the US, and also in Canada, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Germany. These stores and shops are committed to providing high quality sewing supplies and fabulous customer service. You can see a list of all the companies who stock Folkwear patterns on our Stockist page.
I am going to occasionally post short interviews with Folkwear stockists here on the blog, so you can learn about these great small businesses and check out what else they do.
Bonnie's Pattern Shop has been selling Folkwear patterns for over 8 years.
Tell us a little about your business.
I began selling patterns online around 2001, and it quickly grew. I offer a wide range of patterns (over 350 different patterns!) for the family, home, pets, and crafts. I specialize in designs from independent pattern companies not found in most stores. I offer many patterns for historic costumes ranging from medieval through the mid-1900s. I have a large selection of patterns for Colonial, Pioneer, Victorian, Western, and Civil War ear clothing.
I also carry many patterns for Native American moccasins and costumes for Pow Wows. I offer many patterns for gymnastics and skating costumes as well. My customers have included movie, TV, and theater production companies. I love being in the pattern business.
How can people find you?
I am on several sites: www.bonniespatternshop.com
eBay: http://stores.ebay.com/Bonnies-Pattern-Shop
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BonniesPatternShop?ref=si_shop
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonniespatternshop/
Anything else you want to let us know about?
Customer service is extremely important! I take care in preparing packages to arrive safely to the buyers. Packages are mailed promptly and buyers are sent confirmation with tracking numbers.
So many patterns! Thanks, Bonnie!
I am starting a series of blog posts (called "Pattern Profiles") that will provide a little more information on each pattern - from its history to geographical, cultural, and historical context, to sewing info. I won't be going in pattern numerical order, but will be picking patterns due to their popularity, seasonality, or perhaps just by whim. So, I hope you'll follow along and enjoy! (and feel free to suggest a pattern for us to cover)
And, I want to start this series with #107 Afghan Nomad Dress. This dress has gotten some love lately: a few customers have sent me pictures of their creations (above), and one is being shown right now at the NYC Museum of Art and Design exhibit "Counter-Couture" (the very top one). It seems everyone who has made this dress loves it.
The pattern features a full skirt and high-waisted bodice, with full three-piece sleeves and arm gussets. With no zippers or button closures (just an opening in the back), this dress is not hard to construct, and can be a way to display multiple beautiful fabrics.
This dress is traditionally worn by nomadic women in Afghanistan and neighboring countries (along the "Silk Road"). Typically, the dresses have embroidery at all the openings - neck, cuffs, and hem. This is said to repel evil spirits. The Folkwear pattern includes three traditional embroidery patterns, as well as some techniques for adding fringe, beads, and shisha mirrors.
Various fabrics are often used in one dress - plain or printed cotton, silk, and sometimes patches of velvet. To be most authentic when making this dress, you can mix colors and prints will wild abandon! The traditional costume is completed by a veil hanging down the back and gathered trousers under the skirt. But, this dress is great however you wish to wear it.
The History of Folkwear
In the mid-1970s, three
The three founders were a perfect team to create a line of innovative patterns that was revolutionary for its time—this was the mid 1970s when women's wear in
During the recession of the mid-1980s, Folkwear's business health suffered along with so many other small businesses. The company was sold to The Taunton Press, publisher of Threads magazine, and by the early 1990s most of the original patterns were back in print and new patterns were under development.
In 1998,
So many different types of people use Folkwear patterns. There are historic re-enactors, Renaissance Faire participants, theater costume designers, and lovers of creative art-to-wear. Residents of historic neighborhoods and members of antique auto clubs use the patterns to dress to the appropriate historic period for their annual events. Folks who adopt children from other countries use the patterns to teach the little ones about their native cultures. Swing, tango, and ballroom dancers love to use the patterns for their passion. Living history museums and Universal Studios dress their staff in Folkwear patterns. The The male actors in the first television episode of The Lonesome Dove all wore a Folkwear pattern (#204
In 2002, Mathews purchased the Folkwear pattern division. Folkwear became, yet again, an independent, woman-owned firm, just like it was in its earliest days. Mathews ran Folkwear for 14 years, adding many new patterns to the collection. Folkwear was sold in late 2016 to Molly Hamilton, a young woman and fellow sewer, in Asheville who currently owns and runs the company. Through it all, the company has retained a loyal group of fans who keep the passion for vintage and ethnic garments alive! And, Gretchen Schields has continued to illustrate nearly all of the patterns since the inception of the company until 2017, contributing to the iconic images associated with Folkwear patterns.
-- written by Kate Mathews - fiber artist, sewer, weaver, and former owner of Folkwear
Welcome to Folkwear’s new website! We are so excited to have this new website, shop, and blog in order to share with you Folkwear patterns, and information on sewing, costuming, embellishing, and the history and culture of all our sewing patterns. The new on-line shop is fabulous! It will be easier to navigate, easy to place your order, and (maybe most exciting for you!) most shipping prices will be lower than ever before!
The shop is organized by categories, and each pattern has illustrations, pictures, and line drawings. We plan for the blog to showcase our patterns, provide sew-alongs and tutorials, and feature relevant news and events in fashion and sewing. There should be fun things to check out here on a regular basis! And, you can subscribe to our newsletter by entering your email address at the bottom of our page. Thanks for joining us!
