pinafore sewing pattern

“I listen to you, sewists!”

The Scoop Pinafore pattern is my response to all your requests for a dress that you could wear a top underneath.

When I started out on this challenge, a pinafore dress was a garment I had associated with my kids rather than something I had thought about wearing myself. So, I rose to the challenge and designed a GROWN UP pinafore. And, now I’ve done it, I LOVE it.

You can find the pattern HERE.

The Scoop Pinafore is a casual, over-the-head tunic designed to wear with a top underneath. It’s statement square neckline contrasts with the scooped sides, which house large and comfortable pockets (who doesn’t love a pocket!). The skirt has a slight bubble hem (a bit like my Tulip Dress) and sits just above the knee for a 5ft 8 height. And, as with all my designs – NO ZIP REQUIRED. Hurray!

If you want to shorten or lengthen the Scoop Pinafore, you can do it in three different places – across the bodice, across the skirt (above the tulip-shaped panel) and by adjusting the strap length. It is advisable to adjust a little in all 3 places rather than increase or reduce all of your length from one place. Here is a diagram, showing in chunky pink dashes, where to do it.

The Scoop Pinafore works well in most medium to heavy weight fabrics. It looks great in denim, corduroy, velvet, wools, scuba, linen and double knits.

sewing pinafore detail

pinafore sewing pattern for women

I have to admit I got a bit carried away making up version of this pinafore. There just seemed like so many possibilities…

The cover shot is a classic dark denim with the side panels done in a fabulous silver! The denim is from Fabric Time. They do a great range of denims, plain and patterned, at a reasonable price.

The side panel is a really gorgeous printed silver linen – a furnishing fabric actually called “Metallic Linen”- from Fabrics Galore. (Do you remember it from the silver Tulip Dress? These were the off-cuts put to good use.)

The fabric also comes in a green / gold  (a large piece of  which is lurking in my stash waiting for a suitable project.)


velvet pinafore sewing pattern

And now for something really arty…

…black velvet combined with some amazing Indian braided fabrics. This dress took some work but I am really pleased with the results. The bottom section of the tulip shaped skirt is a curved panel so I spent quite a bit of time taking tiny darts into this length of trim to make it into a gentle curve that echoed the pattern. The gold bodice is actually made from a very wide piece of trim with hot pink piping. I just cut it to fit the pattern, and the same goes for the side panels.

braid on velvet detail

All the fabrics for this dress are from Bombay Stores in Bradford. They have the most amazing range of metallic brocades and trims all at amazingly cheap prices. The bottom wide flower trim was only 99p / metre. They do have a website but it is extremely disappointing. If you live close enough then the place is well worth a visit for their VAST range of embroidered and embellished fabrics and braids.


green velvet sewing pattern

I LOVE velvet and wanted to show how it look all in a single colour – so here it is in a lush bottle green. As you can see it looks as good with a high neck underneath as it does with a scoop neck. (I loved this blouse – it has a bit of  a Gucci look I think.)

 

I have another tweed version in the making so watch this space for more inspiration.

You can find the pattern HERE.

 

 

sewing pattern pinafore