This Edwardian Era shirtwaist design is based off of a shirtwaist worn in a photo of Laura Ingalls Wilder from 1915, the year after she took a trip with her daughter Rose to San Francisco to see the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, a large world’s fair celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal.
It is a classic shirtwaist design with a shorter gathered back that reduces bulk that may distort the silhouette of a fitted skirt. The front is cut longer so it can be pulled out to create the bloused effect that was popular through the Edwardian period. The front features a gathered block design that sets off the shoulders and front placket. For a smoother look no buttons are used for closures, instead the front and sleeves are fastened with snaps or hook-and-loop tape. A lapel style collar that lays open at the front and stands upright in the back can be finished with top stitching to help define the design lines. Fold-over cuffs that mirror the collar finish off the gathered sleeves.
This PDF sewing pattern by Thimbles and Acorns is designed to fit 18" dolls such as those shown in the photos and Other Similarly Sized Dolls.
TA Pattern #1910-06 PDF Pattern for 18" Laura Shirtwaist
Suggested Fabrics: Shirtwaist in shirt weight woven fabrics such as cotton batiste, linen, muslin, voile, silk, and chambray. Not suitable for knits.
Supplies Needed:
Fabric:
- Shirtwaist - 1/4 yard 45” wide fabric
Notions:
- Thread
- 3 1/2 x 8 1/2” piece of lightweight fusible interfacing
- 2 1/2” of 1/2” wide twill tape or ribbon
- Eight small snaps (a 3” length of 1/4” wide hook-and-loop tape can be used on the front placket in place of the four snaps)
Tools:
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Pinking shears, optional
- Pins
- Hand sewing needle
-
Fabric marker
- Ruler
- Iron and pressing tools
- Blunt needle or point turner
Skill Level: Intermediate
What You Get: One 20 page sewing pattern that you digitally download as a PDF file so you can start your project immediately! The PDF sewing pattern provides full color step-by-step illustrated instructions and full size pattern pieces. A PDF reader is required to view and print the files (example: Adobe Reader or Preview for MAC). The download link is received immediately after the transaction is complete. Print copies are NOT available.
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