Dorian Style Greek Chiton

 

Transport your 18" doll back into ancient Greek times with this week's clever tutorial that comes to us from the very talented designer behind Thimbles and Acorns - Shari Fuller.

Giveaway update! Our winner is Diane O. who said she loves the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse fable.  Congratulations Diane!

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The Dorian Chiton, pronounced KEY-tun, was the style of clothing worn by western Greek men and women. It was made from a single rectangle of cloth that was draped around the body and fastened at the shoulders with a pin, broach, or thorn. It was left open at one side and held together at the waist or just under the breast with a belt or tie.

Measurements are given for both 18-inch dolls such as American Girl® and the 16-inch A Girl for All Time® dolls.

Materials needed:
Fabric ~ To make a full length Chiton, cut a piece of lightweight wool, linen, or cotton fabric 27-inches wide by 15-inches long for an 18-inch doll or 25-inches wide by 13.5-inches wide for a 16-inch.  Wool was the most common fabric worn by Greeks, however, the more well-to-do liked to dress in imported cotton and linen fabrics.  Working class men, soldiers, and young women often preferred shorter Chitons, so feel free to shorten your Chiton.  Although most Greek statues give the impression that Chitons were usually white, bright natural colors and simple geometric prints were also worn.  
Notions ~  One yard of ribbon or narrow cord for tie; two small pins, buttons, or snaps; optional, one to three yards of 1/4-inch to 5/8-inch wide trim.

 

Step 1:  Finish the raw edges of the Chiton with a double-fold hem.  Starting with the shorter sides, turn the edges under 1/4-inch and press to crease.  Turn the edges under another 1/2-inch to encase the raw edges and press again.  Pin in place and stitch close to the inside edges to secure.  Repeat for the longer sides

Don't want to sew a hem?  Trim the Chiton down to 25.5 x 13.5-inches for 18-inch dolls (23.5 x 12-inches for 16-inch dolls), finishing the edges with a pinking shears, serging, or by simply fraying them.

Step 2:  The Chiton can be left plain or one or more edges can be decorated with a band of trim or embroidery.  If your machine has embroidery stitches, this is a great opportunity to use them.

 Step 3: Lay the Chiton lengthwise, right side up. Mark the top edge with pins 4.5-inches and 9-inches from each side. Apply buttons at the two markings on the left side. Following the instructions below, make button loops at the two markings on the right side.

Well-to-do Greeks fastened their Chitons with pins called fibulae or decorative broaches. Those that couldn't afford them used thorns that they boiled in oil to harden. Don't want to sew buttons or button loops? Fasten your Chiton with small safety pins or no-sew snaps instead.

Step 4: With the right sides out, fold the Chiton in half aligning the buttons with the button loops. Fasten the button nearest the folded edge to create an armhole.

Step 5: Slide your dolls left arm through the armhole and fasten the other button on the right shoulder. Arrange the free edges on your dolls right side so that they cascade neatly down the side.

Step 6: Overlap the ends of the Chiton on the open side and secure it at the waist with a ribbon or cord. Wrap the cord around the waist twice and tie it in the front to form a simple belt. For a more elegant look, wrap the cord around the torso, just under the arms, criss-cross down the front, wrap it around the waist, and tie it in front. Adjust the fullness of the Chiton around the torso as desired. Pull the front of the Chiton down slightly to help it drape under the neck.

Chitons were often bound at the waist with a double belt between which a section of cloth could be pulled out to create a kind of pocket to store and carry whatever items they needed.

The extra fullness of the Chiton could be handled any number of ways. The Greeks liked to wear their Chitons loose and billowy so feel free to pull and tuck your Chiton until you get the length and draped effect that you like.

 

Giveaway Time!

How would you like to win one of these elegant Chitons?  Or better yet two??  Shari is giving away one Chiton and Himation set complete with hangers in both a 16" and 18" size to one lucky winner! 

To enter, leave a comment below finishing this sentence:
"My favorite one of Aesop's fables is ..."

We'll pick a winner on Monday, May 30th, and get in touch via email.  Thanks for entering and good luck!

For Pixie Faire,

Shari & The PF Team


100 Comments

Sue
Sue

November 09, 2018

My favorite Aesop’s Fable is the Cock and the Jewel. Thank you for the giveaway!

Yove
Yove

November 09, 2018

My favorite Aesop’s fable is The Fox and the Grapes.

Judy
Judy

November 09, 2018

Love the idea of making a Chiton for my granddaughter and Sunday School children. My favorite fable has always been The Tortise and the Hare – slow and steady wins the race.

MarjoryW
MarjoryW

July 13, 2018

My favorite Aesop’s fable is The Fox and the Grapes.

Sharon Thomas
Sharon Thomas

July 13, 2018

My favorite one of Aesop’s Fables is The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey.

Bernice
Bernice

July 13, 2018

My favorite Aesop’s fable is the Town mouse and the Country mouse. It is easier to take a city person and put them in the countryside to live, then it is to take a country person and have them live in the city. I like to take the time to smell the roses.

Laura
Laura

July 13, 2018

Hi! How wonderful. The Thistle and Acorn patterns are my favorites! I like the “Frog and the Scorpion” from Aesop’s.

Grace
Grace

March 04, 2017

My favourite Aesop’s fable is the rabbit and tortoise.

Terri silva
Terri silva

January 18, 2017

My favorite is “the boy who cried wolf”!

Chloe Noller
Chloe Noller

January 05, 2017

My favorite fable is the fox and the grapes! The pattern is so cute! Thanks so much!

Emily
Emily

September 26, 2016

I am a fan of many of Aesop’s fables but my favorite is “The Frog and the Scorpion”. Your tutorial is great, thank you! I know my daughters and I will enjoy making these as part of our unit study on Anciey Greece next month.

maria
maria

August 20, 2016

my favorite one of aesop’s fables is the fox and the crow

Rosalind Mathews
Rosalind Mathews

August 19, 2016

My favorite is the Ant and the Grasshopper. This pattern is great for a child to help sew!

Bonnie
Bonnie

August 19, 2016

I loved reading fables as a kid, I always really liked the Fox and the Grapes. Thanks!

Jean Cantrell
Jean Cantrell

August 19, 2016

My favorite fable is The boy who cried wolf.

Lydia
Lydia

August 19, 2016

My favorite Aesop’s Fable is “The Fox And The Grape”. Thank you so much for the tutorial.
I really want to win as I am also a grandmother of a 7 year old granddaughter.

Thresea Wright
Thresea Wright

August 19, 2016

Fun to do with my eight granddaughters!

Vicki Coco
Vicki Coco

August 19, 2016

My favorite Aesop’s fable is the Thirsty Crow, I love the moral “Think and work hard, you may find solution to any problem”. I also wanted to thank Shari Fuller for her wonderful patterns and tell her I love her historical research and information. I think this tutorial will be perfect for me to do with my grandaughter!

PegSullivan
PegSullivan

August 19, 2016

My favorite Aesop fable was Fox and the grapes. A life lesson for all. Just because you do not get what you want is no reason to denigrate it. looking at it in a better light, there is something much more valuable, if I just wait a bit longer.
Love the tutorial thanks

Irene
Irene

August 19, 2016

My favorite is tortoise and hare. Love your designs so historical correct and fun to make. Thank you so much.

Beverly Hiler
Beverly Hiler

August 19, 2016

My favorite Aesop’s Fable is, “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” I received a book of my own as a young girl.

C. Story
C. Story

July 15, 2016

My favorite Aesop’s fable is the Tortoise and the Hare.

Sarah
Sarah

May 31, 2016

Thanks for sharing! My daughter is WAY into the ancient Greeks. This will be such a fun thing for us to make together.

Donna D.
Donna D.

May 29, 2016

My Favorite one of aesops fables is all of them.

Sophie T
Sophie T

May 29, 2016

I always enjoy those historic clothes and just love that Shari is going so far back in history to offer us wonderful clothing ideas for our dolls. Very instructive! My favorite Aesops fable is the Fox and the Crow.

Laurainne Williams
Laurainne Williams

May 29, 2016

My favourite fable is the Tortoise and The Hare.I use it regularly with my piano students and myself!!!

Julia
Julia

May 29, 2016

My favorites fable is the dog in the manger. Thanks for the great tutorial. I really like all the historical notes you include with your patterns.

Peggy Vinson
Peggy Vinson

May 28, 2016

My favorite one of Aesop’s fables is The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Thank you for the pattern and instructions.

Jane Peters
Jane Peters

May 27, 2016

My favorite, though not commonly known, Aesop’s Fable is:THE BEAR AND THE TWO TRAVELLERS. Throughout life, we have different friends and circumstances. If misfortune comes, the people who stand by your side are your TRUE friends.

Sharon
Sharon

May 27, 2016

My favorite tale is the tortoise and the hare. I also like the fox and the grapes, mainly because of the picture in my book.

Rita Kryglik
Rita Kryglik

May 27, 2016

MY FAVORITE ONE OF AESOP’S FABLES IS The Fox and the Grapes.

Karen Ann Hitchcock
Karen Ann Hitchcock

May 27, 2016

My favorite Aesop’s fables are the Tortoise and the Hare and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Your patterns are awesome! Thank you so much!

Ruth Chidley
Ruth Chidley

May 27, 2016

Both of my parents were teachers so we were read Aesop’s Fables more than once. The one I remembered the most was The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Needless-to-say, my children heard the same fable many times as I encouraged them to not exaggerate, nor lie, about their daily experiences, for they may not be believed when an important event occurred in their lives.
I love the Greek gown design and definitely will enjoy making several for my 7 granddaughters.

Sharon Hodges
Sharon Hodges

May 27, 2016

love all the period clothes. The Fox and the grapes is the fable I remember best. This tutorial looks great. Can’t wait to try it.

Melinda Autry
Melinda Autry

May 27, 2016

The Lion and the Mouse is one of my favorite fables. One of my favorite stories from my childhood was a recording of a tale of Diana and the Golden Apples (from Mythology). With this tutorial, I can now dress one of my dolls as Diana!

Diana Heiman
Diana Heiman

May 27, 2016

It would have to be the tortoise and the hare. I love that the dedicated non-flashy animal wins at the end. I love the pattern!

Natalie Ciolek
Natalie Ciolek

May 27, 2016

My favorite is the Fox and the Grapes. I still remember watching it on the Aesop’s Fables section of the old Bullwinkle cartoons.

joann little
joann little

May 27, 2016

“my favorite one of aesop’s fables is ’it’s best to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow ’

Cindy
Cindy

May 27, 2016

Love dressing the dolls in period clothing of days gone by!

Heather
Heather

May 27, 2016

My favourite Aesop’s fable is Sour Grapes. I love this tutorial. I actually researched ancient Greco-Roman clothing and saved tons of pics and tutorials for adult chitons, but have yet to convert them to doll sized measurements . Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can now just jump right in without all the work. Blessings!

Linda
Linda

May 27, 2016

favorite fable is the lion and the mouse. I love the dress

Diane
Diane

May 27, 2016

My favorite one of Aesop’s fables is the Androcles Fable. Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. Many thanks for wonderful patterns, inspiration and history lessons!!!

Gail
Gail

May 27, 2016

My favorite Aesop’s Fable would either be the tortoise and the hare or the Lion and the Mouse.

Donna
Donna

May 27, 2016

I have to have a fa orite Aesop’s fable?! My favorite is the one that is most applicable at the time.

Judi
Judi

May 27, 2016

My favorite Aesop fable is" Mercury and the Woodman" which illustrates the importance of honesty.

LuLu
LuLu

May 27, 2016

MY FAVORITE ONE OF AESOP’S FABLES IS is “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” which is how I first learned the concept of reputation. (Cannot remember the title of the one about aging: had many animals that gave their older years of frailty to man who wanted more years.)

Jean
Jean

May 27, 2016

My favorite was always “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and I used it many times for my children.

Christine
Christine

May 27, 2016

My favourite Aesop’s fable is the Tortoise and the Hare, although all the fables are good. I can’t wait to share the fables with my grandbaby who will be born in November!

diane o.
diane o.

May 27, 2016

I loveThee Town Mouse and the Country Mouse fable, it is one of my favorites. More importantly, I really want to win this give away because my 12 year old granddaughter who is an AG fanatic, also loves Greek and Roman mythology.
Thanks for the chance to win!

Julie
Julie

May 27, 2016

I will make the Chiton and send it to my granddaughter and include the information on its history as well. She’s only 8 but will probably construct her own version from her mother’s scrap fabric. My favorite Aesop’s fable is the Tortoise and the Hare. I will have to ask my granddaughter what her favorite fable is. Thanks for encouraging us to think about fables and realize they are as relevant today as when I read them many years ago as a child.

Duana
Duana

May 27, 2016

How awesome is this? Love it. Thanks for the share.
MY FAVORITE ONE OF AESOP’S FABLES IS
The Fox and the Grapes.

Duana
Duana

May 27, 2016

MY FAVORITE ONE OF AESOP’S FABLES IS the fox and the grapes although I like most of them.

Duana
Duana

May 27, 2016

How awesome is this? Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Jennifer K.
Jennifer K.

May 27, 2016

My favorite would be the Lion and the Mouse.

Rena
Rena

May 27, 2016

My favorite Aesop fable is…All of them! :) I cannot choose between all of them, because it was my brothers favorite book and he and I would read the fables all the time. Each story is more then just that. Every tale has an important lesson to be learned and it teaches that lesson in an amazing way.

Rachel Koppleberger
Rachel Koppleberger

May 27, 2016

I liked best the one where the mouse helps the lion.

Susan Hebert
Susan Hebert

May 27, 2016

My favorite Aesop fable is the Lion and the Mouse.

Melissa
Melissa

May 27, 2016

The Tortoise and the Hare

Susan Hebert
Susan Hebert

May 27, 2016

This is a unique take on historical costuming for dolls, but allows girls to imagine their doll is a Greek Empress. Great ideas. Thanks so much.

Sherry J
Sherry J

May 27, 2016

I like all the aesop fables, but my favorite is the fox and the grapes. always like stories with food in them! thanks. great tutorial!

Jean
Jean

May 27, 2016

I think my favorite fables are The bear and the two friends and The tortoise and the hare.

Lesley from Ne
Lesley from Ne

May 27, 2016

That is a great tutorial. I think my favorite fable would be both the Tortoise and the Hare, or the Boy who cried Wolf. We used the last one as an example with one of our children who had a small problem of falsehoods this year. :)

Ramona
Ramona

May 27, 2016

I am not sure if I have a favorite as there are so many interesting things to be learned from the different fables. I do enjoy making the different patterns you share. Thank you.

Susan C
Susan C

May 27, 2016

Thank you for the outfit, would be a great project to do. My favorite fable is the Tortoise and the Hare. I still think of this fable and when I see someone rushing around and remind them of the tortoise and the hare. You can slow down and come out ahead.

Alisa
Alisa

May 27, 2016

The Tortoise and the Hare’ . It is a valuable lesson I remind my daughter often.

Lori Poffenroth
Lori Poffenroth

May 27, 2016

I always liked the fable about the wind and the sun. I think I will attempt this pattern with my granddaughters. It is perfect for beginning sewers!

Norleen
Norleen

May 27, 2016

Thanks so much for all the beautiful patterns and tutorials you share. This is a great project for me to do with my daughter. My favorite fable is The Fox and the Scorpion. Because no matter how hard we try sometimes our own nature sabotages us

Melanie
Melanie

May 27, 2016

My favorite: The Tortoise and the Hare. I’ve always liked the idea of the tortoise taking his time…and winning! :)

Pauline
Pauline

May 27, 2016

Love the Greek robe, so many options for rich and vibrant fabric colours! The tale I was reminded the most about as a child was “The boy who cried wolf”. A good lesson to be learned about lying and keeping your credibility! Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing this lovely pattern.

Gail
Gail

May 27, 2016

My favorite fable is the Fox and the Grapes.

barb
barb

May 27, 2016

Favorite is “The Lion and the Mouse”. Thank you for sharing this adorable pattern. My granddaughters are going to love it and so do I!

Jo Schmidt
Jo Schmidt

May 27, 2016

I grew up with all these stories and love reading them to the grandkids. What a great way to make some of them to come to life with the historical outfits. Love it wish I would have done something with the dolls before. The girls would like their dolls dressed this way. Keep up all the neat clothes.

Linda L
Linda L

May 27, 2016

My favorite fable is The Lion and the Mouse. I really enjoy your historical patterns!!

Peggy Stirling
Peggy Stirling

May 27, 2016

I can remember having a book of Aesop’s Fables as a child. I read through it regularly. There were so many good stories but my favourite was the hare and the tortoise. “Slow and steady wins the race”.

Marian
Marian

May 27, 2016

I have always liked the Aesop fable the “Grasshopper and the Ant.” I taught Latin and biological science for may years, and because of my interest in entomology and the wonderful translations of Aesop’s fables first into Latin, I was even able to share many of these edifying childhood favorites with my high school students. Being industrious seems out of style to many today but this fable will always carry it message in literature to other generations.

Gillian
Gillian

May 27, 2016

I have always liked the fox and the hare. Steady and sure so many things can be accomplished. This is a lovely pattern and such a reminder of how older cultures lived. I too appreciated how to sew the loop. I wanted one recently but had forgotten how to create them.

Zoann Murphy
Zoann Murphy

May 27, 2016

This is a great pattern – as a costume designer, I’m always looking for something new for my dolls and this will be a great addition to their wardrobes! My favorite Aesop fable is the Tortoise and the Hare. And though I recognize the ultimate lesson of the tale, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the Hare who also learned a lesson – in humility!

Lydia Stout
Lydia Stout

May 27, 2016

My favorite is The Fox & Hare.so many good examples from one illustration. Not to give up, don’t be a braggard, what looks like a sure thing isn’t always necessarily true.

Linda Cowart
Linda Cowart

May 27, 2016

Favorite is the Crow. First heard it at Sunday School!!

Georgia
Georgia

May 27, 2016

I have always loved the story of the Lion and the Mouse.It teaches that no kindness ever goes unrewarded and that one should always go the extra mile to help out someone in need. I am sharing all of Aesop’s Fables right now with my little granddaughters who are 5 and not quite 3. They live in Las Vegas and I live on the southeast coast of NC so we stay connected via Skype and talk, laugh ,sing and read a story almost every day.The oldest just got her first AG doll and so I am ow sewing and knitting a wardrobe for Rose, my AG granddaughter. Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial I know my little ones will love it !

Edith Dallinger
Edith Dallinger

May 27, 2016

My favorite fable is The Sun and the Wind. My son’s dear wife was a classics major in college. This pattern will be a perfect gift for her to use in her teaching.

Judy
Judy

May 27, 2016

MY FAVORITE ONE OF AESOP’S FABLES IS the boy who cried wolf. I think there’s a lesson to be learned from it.

Heidi Mittiga
Heidi Mittiga

May 26, 2016

I like the fable about the crow that drops pebbles into the jar to raise the water level so it can get a drink. Analyze and find a way.

Danny
Danny

May 26, 2016

My favorite fable is the Tortoise and the Hare. In my youth I was the Hare, but now I’m the Tortoise.

Katherine
Katherine

May 26, 2016

My favorite one of Aesop’s Fables is the Mouse and the Lion. My mother used to read it to me when I was little.

Susan
Susan

May 26, 2016

I love historical patterns for dolls. Thank you for the many you offer. One of my favorites of Aesop’s fables is Belling the Cat. I made a flannel board story of that one many years ago.

Naomi
Naomi

May 26, 2016

Thanks so much! I don’t know if it’s my favorite, but I frequently think of the fable of the fox and the vineyard.

Kate
Kate

May 26, 2016

What a fun history lesson, and very practical too ;) My favorite fable is the mouse and the lion!

Beth
Beth

May 26, 2016

MY FAVORITE ONE OF AESOP’S FABLES IS the ant and the grasshopper, especially as told by Sam the Eagle on the Muppet Show.

Cora Flispart
Cora Flispart

May 26, 2016

I love all of your patterns and have won many blue ribbons at KY State Fair with your patterns and Pixie Packs. This one is perfect for a 1st year 4-H project in Non-wearables. Thank you for providing it as my 4-H sewers start their projects. My favorite fable is the Tortoise and the Hare. If you take small steps and keep plugging on, you will finish (or win) whatever you start.

Sandra
Sandra

May 26, 2016

Many thanks for tutorial. May have a go at this. My favourite fable is the lion and the mouse. However reading through the comments it is amazing how relevant so many fables still are

Joan longbrake
Joan longbrake

May 25, 2016

noteworthy of Aesop tales Gabriele Faerno’s Centum Fabulae (1564) although less of a humerous tale more of a teaching mode as
as seen by a servant…he really appeared to be of great intelligence
thanks for the

PennyT.
PennyT.

May 25, 2016

Does Aesop and Son from Fractured Fairy Tales count? (really showing my age with that one). https://youtu.be/gbYsntpX6GM

Annlee
Annlee

May 25, 2016

My favorite fable is the tortoise and the hare. The Greek gown is very cute. Thank for the pattern

Mary H
Mary H

May 25, 2016

I recall liking the fable about the fox and the stork having dinner together.

Sewbig
Sewbig

May 25, 2016

I really enjoyed this history lesson. Funny how we keep fighting the same battles. I remember reading Aesop’s fables with my mother. One per day. I was so surprised when I took my decades old book with me to read to my grandkids, how DARK the stories were. I kept saying, “I’ll skip this one and read the next.” I was ten pages in before I found a couple which were not too scary for the kids. So instead of “favorite”, how about one that would be a “challenging” subject to talk about, the moral concept and the historical perspectives.

“The Fox and the Hedgehog”
A FOX, while crossing a river, was driven by the stream into a narrow gorge, and lay there for a long time unable to get out, covered with myriads of horse-flies that had fastened themselves upon him. A Hedgehog, who was wandering in that direction, saw him, and taking compassion on him, asked him if he should drive away the flies that were so tormenting him. But the fox begged him to do nothing of the sort. Why not? asked the Hedgehog. Because, replied the Fox, these flies that are upon me now are already full, and draw but little blood, but should you remove them, a swarm of fresh hungry ones will come, who will not leave a drop of blood in my body.

Moral:
When we throw off rulers or dependants, who have already made the most of us, we do but, for the most part, lay ourselves open to others. who will make us bleed, yet more freely.
(copied from litscape.com)
http://www.litscape.com/author/Aesop/The_Fox_and_the_Hedgehog.html

Janine
Janine

May 25, 2016

My favorite is the tortoise and the hare. It seems to have been the way most things in my life have been accomplished-slow and steady, but keep on going no matter what.

Carol M.
Carol M.

May 25, 2016

I think the Tortoise and the Eagle might be my favorite, as it teaches a person may be ruined if they suddenly have everything they want. (ie: lottery winners)

Marge R (mer)
Marge R (mer)

May 25, 2016

What a great tutorial and fun to decide which of many options to use to decorate/close it — thanks, Pixie Faire! My favorite Aesop’s Fable is The Oak and the Reed.

Barbara
Barbara

May 25, 2016

“My favorite one of Aesop’s fables is …” the Lion and the mouse. because the big and the small can become friends and lead.

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