Pinafore dress is undeniably a great item when winter comes. Although it has been around for centuries, the pinafore dress is still so in style now – and you can create countless outfits with just a simple pinafore dress! It can be layered up with collared shirt/blouse/turtle neck top and warm leggings/pantyhose. Put on a warm cozy coat and you are ready for even the coldest day!
The Violet pinafore dress features deep V neck and armholes, a slight A line shape and flapped pockets at the front. An easy project for even beginners!
Let’s have a look at this design:
As usual, my pattern is made in 10 sizes from XXS to 5XL so you may find a suitable size for yourself. If you are not sure which size suits you, take a look at the measurement table before doing anything here: SIZE GUIDE.
The pattern is made using layered PDF, please check for your desired size before printing so you won’t waste your paper. I have included a first page with many details about sizing and printing, so please first read the first page and make sure you know what size you need! If you still do not know how to print a layered PDF, please check for the printing instruction in this post: PRINTING GUIDE.
My patterns are now made in both A4/Letter paper and A0 paper format so you can print at home or at any print shop!
For home printers, you can print this using your home printer and either A4 or Letter paper. I calculated the printing area so that you will be able to use either type of paper to print the pattern out perfectly. Always print the first page first and check with the test square if you are printing at the right scale before you print out the whole pattern – avoid waste of ink and waste of paper, save the earth!
Some PC may print smaller than actual size even when you choose 100% scale – I don’t know why this problem exist, but my HP laptop cannot print true to size. I have to scale up to 103% to get the right size. You may need to check with your PC to see if it prints true to size, if not, scale up a bit. I was informed by a reader that you can also print the pdf as image to get the right scale, however I never tested it on my computer.
SEWING INSTRUCTION
You will need:
- Fabric of your choice. This pattern is intended for woven fabric, but you can also use knits (go down 1 size)
- Lining fabric
- Some light weight fusible interfacing for the top of the pockets
- Invisible zipper
- Two decorative buttons
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine/Serger or needle and thread
- Printed pattern
How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? To be precise, you may need to check how much fabric you need before buying. It will depend on the selected pattern size, the width, and design of the fabric you plan to use. Just to be sure, print all the paper patterns and lay them out at the width of fabric you plan to use (usually from 90 to 150 centimeters or 35 to 60 inches). Measure how much fabric you will need. Don’t forget to account for pieces that need to be cut multiple times and pieces that are cut on the fold.
Cutting instruction:
After printing out and taping all the pattern pages together, you will get something similar to this:
You will see that there are 2 sets of lines on each pattern piece. The inner lines are sewing line (and you sew along these lines), and the outer lines are cutting lines (you cut the fabric along these lines, remember the folding lines where you have to fold the fabric before cutting). The distance between sewing line and cutting line is seam allowance, and it varies from point to point. For example, the side seam allowance is about 1/2 inch (1.2cm), and seam allowance at hemline is 1 inch (2.5cm). This is the reason why I do not remove the sewing lines from the pattern. Please use it as a guide to know how much seam allowance you need to give at each seam.
The fabric will be cut into following pieces:
- Front: cut 2 self fabric + 2 lining fabric (in mirrored pairs)
- Back: cut 2 self fabric + 2 lining fabric (in mirrored pairs)
- Pocket: cut 2
- Pocket Flap: cut 4
Place the pattern pieces on the fabric, pin the pattern pieces to the fabric to secure them in place. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out the fabric pieces along the outer lines of the pattern. Take your time to ensure precise and clean cuts, as this will affect the fit and overall appearance of your garment.
Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as darts, pleats, draw marks etc. from the pattern pieces onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.
Sewing instruction:
- Serge the raw edges to prevent fabric from unravelling. Trim off 1 inch from the hem of the lining fabric pieces.
- Cut a 2cm wide strip of fusible interfacing and iron it onto the top edge of the Pocket piece. Fold the interfaced top edge of the Pocket piece and sew to hem. This will give you a flat pocket opening.
- Press the seam allowance of the Pocket pieces to the wrong side and place it right side up on top of the right side of the Front piece as marked. Pin and sew to attach the pocket to the Front piece.
- Place two Pocket Flap pieces right side facing, sew around the pieces, leaving one long edge open. Trim the corners and turn the Pocket Flap right side out. Repeat with the other pair.
- Place the Pocket Flap at the top edge of the Pocket, with the unsewn edge aligned with the pocket opening. Sew to attach the Pocket Flap to the Front piece. Trim off half the seam allowance of the Pocket Flap, turn it down to cover the pocket opening and topstitch to keep the Pocket Flap in place.
- Place 2 Front pieces right side facing, pin and sew the center front seam. Repeat with the Front lining pieces.
- Place Front and one Back piece right side facing, pin and sew the shoulder and side seam. Repeat with the other Back piece to get the Main Garment.
- Repeat step 3 with lining pieces to get the Dress Lining.
- Place Main Garment and Dress Lining right side facing. Match the neckline, pin and sew the neckline. Clip seam allowance for smoother curve. Press and sew seam allowance to the Dress Lining.
- Continue to sew the Main Garment and Dress Lining at the armholes. Turn the dress inside out by pulling fabric through the tunnel at the shoulder.
- Attach invisible zipper and finish the center back seam. This is a guide on several ways to finish invisible zippers on garment with lining.
- Fold and sew the hem of the dress. Attach decorative buttons to the Pocket Flap.
And here is the download link:
VIOLET PINAFORE DRESS SIZE XXS-5XL (A4 LETTER PAPER)
VIOLET PINAFORE DRESS SIZE XXS-5XL (A0 PAPER)
To download just click on the link above and choose “Save link as”. The PDF file will be downloaded to your device. An advertisement may pop up, just close it and continue with your download. In case some ads attempt to make you enter your personal info, just ignore and close it. I do NOT require any kind of information to download my pattern files.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Because of many cases of copyright infringement, I have restricted permission on my patterns from now on and you will not be able to open it using pdf editing software like Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw etc. Please use PDF readers to open and view the files – there are many free PDF readers that offer layer viewing and printing, like Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader…
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns or tag me on Instagram #tianasclosetsewingpatterns, I will be thrilled to see the garment in real life!
2 thoughts on “Violet pinafore dress – free PDF sewing pattern”
Comments are closed.