How to Design Flapper Dress Patterns
The Twenties were an exciting time, particularly for women's fashion. Women's clothes shifted from being tight, restrictive and form-fitting and became looser and more comfortable. The iconic sleeveless flapper dress was one symbol of that era, and whether you are interested in making one for a costume party or outfitting a theater group, learning to design a dress pattern is essential.
Instructions
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1
Research the flapper dress. Perhaps the simplest dress to take on is the flapper dress that became popular in the late twenties, which was essentially a long, sleeveless tube. There were dozens of variations on this design, though, and deciding on the length of the hem and the neckline are important parts of this procedure.
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2
Take your measurements. When you are drafting a simple flapper dress, you really only need your chest and hip measurements and the measurement of how long you want the dress to be, but taking measurements like the breadth of your shoulders will ensure a more comfortable fit.
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3
Decide how many pieces will go into your flapper dress. You can get away with as few as two pieces, which will create the correct baggy silhouette, but doing the flapper dress in four pieces will give you a fit that is more flattering to the modern eye.
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4
Lay your pattern paper out flat and, if necessary, tape it to your floor or table.
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Draw in your pattern pieces. One way to model the shape of your pieces is to use a T-shirt that you know fits you. This will give you a general shape for the top portion of the dress insofar as the shape of the shoulders and armholes go, but you should not simply trace the T-shirt.
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Use your measurements to create the patterns. The final dress should slide gracefully down your body with plenty of room to spare in both the bust and the hip areas. The dress should be somewhere between knee length and 6 inches below that.
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7
Label your pattern pieces. Even if you only have a few, writing what the piece is and where it fits can help keep you organized.
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8
Cut out your new flapper dress pattern.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are in a real pinch for time, you can simply sew a loose shirt and a large skirt together to create an acceptable 1920's silhouette.
If you have a slip pattern that fits you, you can simply lengthen it to the length that you want your dress to be.
