Girls’ Regency Dress Pattern
By Jennie Chancey
This is the perfect companion to the women’s pattern above and includes options for short sleeves, long sleeves, and undersleeves. There’s also an appendix that gives directions for making a “drawstring” look dress (shown in the last four photos). [Revised in 2012 to include sizes 12 and 14!]
- Sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 14 all included in one envelope.
- Illustrated instructions make construction easy!
- Options for long sleeves, short sleeves, and undersleeves.
- Photo Instructions online (available in PDF format soon).
- Click to download the Girls’ Regency Pattern Chart.
- Also available for instant download as an ePattern in PDF format!
The bodice for the girls’ pattern is straight (not gathered) across the front, and the skirt gathers all the way around (though you can create it with gathers across the back only if you prefer). The bodice back has the period correct dropped shoulder seams and curved side back seams. A wide ribbon around the waist gives the dress a darling “Kate Greenaway” look. You can follow the instructions in the appendix to create a cute, gathered slip-on version of the dress as well. The pattern is rated “intermediate” because of the lining and understitching, but it is actually easier to put together than the women’s pattern. Please note that this pattern is designed for girls who have not yet hit puberty. Girls who are already developing will need the women’s pattern (the size 6 is the next natural step up from this pattern). I am always available through the Contact Form if you have questions!
Note: If you purchased a copy of this pattern prior to January 15, 2004, click HERE for corrections/revisions. If you bought the earlier version with sizes 1-10 only, there’s no need to buy the pattern all over again. Drop me a line through the contact form with your Paypal transaction ID or the email address you used to place your order, and I’ll send you a free ePattern. (If you ordered via snail mail, please provide the approximate date you placed your order, along with your full name and mailing address.)
Mrs. Lyn
June 13, 2010 at 8:37 pm (1102 days ago)I purchased your sweet Regency Girls Pattern through a download. I had no problems obtaining my pattern and it worked beautifully!
Thank you for sharing your creativity and making your patterns available for our enjoyment!;0)
BLessing to you and yours,
Jennie Chancey
June 13, 2010 at 9:22 pm (1102 days ago)Thanks so much for the kind comment, Mrs. Lyn! I am delighted that you enjoyed using the ePattern. If you ever care to share photos, I’d love to see them!
Warmly,
Jennie
claire
November 17, 2010 at 1:24 pm (946 days ago)I have a girl who fits 9-12 month infant clothing. Does this pattern fit her size? I can’t find a xmas dress I like so I figure to make one of my own! (I have the women’s pattern!)
Jennie Chancey
November 17, 2010 at 2:10 pm (946 days ago)Hi, Claire! I’ve used the size 1 for my youngest daughter since she was 9 months old, and it fits fine. I just shorten the sleeves a tad, add tucks to the skirt (you can also just shorten it if you prefer), and if she is narrow through the chest, you can sew the buttons over farther to give a little more fit to the closure in back. That will do it!
Mrs. Hearts
February 8, 2011 at 12:07 am (863 days ago)Is this the dress worn by the girl modeling the Edwardian apron pattern?
Jennie Chancey
February 8, 2011 at 12:07 pm (863 days ago)Hello! No, that is a gathered shift pattern I designed for my mother. It is available in ePattern format at http://practicallypretty.blogspot.com/2009/05/epattern-is-ready.html.
Mary Bartlett
March 3, 2011 at 10:20 am (840 days ago)I cannot find the pattern for toddlers bloomers and apron. HELP! I already bought two dress patterns, but the bloomers will make it awesome!!!
Jennie Chancey
March 3, 2011 at 10:40 am (840 days ago)Hi, Mary! Those are at http://sensibility.com/patterns/girls-pinafore-pantaloons-pattern. Have fun sewing!
Alice
April 27, 2011 at 9:05 am (785 days ago)Hi there. These patterns look great – my daughter’s school is spending the entire school term revisiting the 1800s. She needs a dress that reflects the era – the regency dress looks great but I am a beginner at best and worry that I can’t pull it off. She will also need long sleeves as the weather in Australia is getting cold. Any advice?
Jennie Chancey
April 30, 2011 at 6:52 am (782 days ago)If you can sew a basic skirt, you can manage this pattern! And it does have a long sleeve option. Have fun sewing–sounds like a great project!
Emily Manning
October 31, 2011 at 9:36 am (598 days ago)I teach Regency Period doll making to Latch Key Immigrant Girls and am President of our art council. I received a small grant to teach the girls ages 8-14 to make their regency dresses for the war of 1812 celebrations coming up. I would like a basic easy dress pattern for this age group but with draw string necks, bust, high waist and sleeves so multiple shaped girls can wear them over the years. The girls and I will make them but I will be custodian of the dresses each year so we have a closet of them. For dresses, notions, trims I have a 500.00 grant. I would like easy care cotton with colors/patterns of the regency era. where do i begin?? thanks. I have 15 girls. We will do self trim, if possible, like our 10 inch doll dresses.
Jennie Chancey
October 31, 2011 at 9:53 am (598 days ago)Hi, Emily! What a wonderful, wonderful project! My mother and I made dolls together in the 1980s, and that’s when I really got hooked on historical costuming (in miniature at that time!). This girls’ pattern will work for your girls through age 10. It already has a “drawstring” option (given in the appendix). Since drawstrings are illegal in garments for children below age 12, I’ve included instructions for elastic instead. For the girls over size 10, you can use the drawstring gown option from the Elegant Lady’s Closet pattern. They will not need period underpinnings if they are under an “A” cup, so don’t worry about stays. I hope this helps, and have fun sewing with the girls!
Jodi
November 29, 2011 at 7:46 am (569 days ago)Hi Jennie! I’m in love with your patterns and website. Thanks so much for the Pink Monday sale! If it wasn’t for that sale popping up on my screen through a blog I subscribe to, I would’ve never known about your website.
I purchased the Regency gown patterns in the girls and doll to make matching gowns for my neices, and thought I’d practice first by making one as a holiday dress for my baby girl. I got the measurements of my oldest neice (she’s only age 8) and not even the chest measurement in the adult pattern is big enough? So now I’m confused. Her measurements top-to-bottom are 32, 32 1/2, 34 1/2 inches, and to make the length of the skirt 33-35 inches. How do I customize this? I saw your tip for adjusting pattern sizes, but I got lost (Oy! lol) Thanks so much! Once I’m finished with my little ones dress, I’ll be sure to share photos with you! 
Jennie Chancey
November 29, 2011 at 2:39 pm (569 days ago)Hello, Jodi! Your niece fits into the women’s size 10 in the chest, but she still has a child’s proportions, as her waist is nearly the same as her chest size, and her hips are only slightly larger. So she still needs the girls’-style pattern but with the larger measurements. She would fit a girls’ size 14. I’ve finished editing this pattern to go up to size 14, but it has to go back to America to be scanned at my printer, since there are no digital scanners in Kenya! I hope to have it scanned by the end of December. In the meantime, I can assure you that sizing up is not as hard as it looks at first blush! If you’ll trace off the size 10 bodice and sleeve pieces and go step by step, you’ll do fine. And I am always happy to help if you have any questions! Sometimes we all need a little hand-holding.
So glad you enjoyed my site, and have fun sewing!
Angela
February 20, 2013 at 7:25 am (120 days ago)My daughter seems to fit the size 14 girls, except she needs more room in the tummy. Could I add more fabric around the waist and more gathers and still use the girl’s pattern?
Jennie Chancey
February 20, 2013 at 4:58 pm (119 days ago)Hi, Angela! The most important measurement is around the chest, as the dress doesn’t hit the natural waist/tummy. But if you find she needs more room in the skirt, you can definitely cut it wider for more gathers. The girls’ pattern is intended for little gals who haven’t hit puberty yet, so no need to move to the ladies’ pattern until she starts to develop. Hope this helps!
angelita64
February 22, 2013 at 3:59 am (118 days ago)Thanks Jennie! I am planning out my sewing for the England trip. She is so excited and thanked me three times so sweetly on her birthday.
Jennie Chancey
February 22, 2013 at 8:00 pm (117 days ago)Wonderful! My girls enjoyed dressing up in 2010 and got so many compliments for their ensembles. I know your daughter is going to be adorable and have a marvelous time!