Regency Gown Pattern
By Jennie Chancey
This is my original Regency gown pattern, modeled after the styles of the middle Regency and particularly appropriate for 1810s impressions. If you’re new to this time period, this is the pattern I recommend starting with, as it goes together very easily.
- Sizes 6-18 all included in one envelope.
- Illustrated instructions make construction easy!
- Options for long sleeves, short sleeves, undersleeves and wide or narrow skirt.
- Pattern supplement available for ladies sized 18-26 D and DD. (Order at the bottom of this page.)
- Download the Regency Gown Pattern’s yardage chart.
- Photo Instructions online and in PDF format for download!
- Bonus photo tutorial to make a bodiced petticoat from this pattern.
- Available for instant download as an ePattern.
- Still a bit intimidated? Why not enroll in my online class?
To see how you can easily alter this pattern to include a train, overskirt, nursing access, and other details, visit my Sewing Tips section. The pattern and the supplement are both rated “intermediate”, but I have had many beginners complete a gown with a minimum of help. Important: If you measure for a size between 20-26 or have a DD cup size, you will need the 18-26DD supplement in addition to the full pattern. It is available for $3.50 or as an ePattern in PDF format.
Note: If you purchased a copy of this pattern prior to March 30, 2006, click HERE for corrections/revisions.
Regency Gown Supplement
If you measure between an 18-26 or a DD cup, you’ll need this supplement in addition to the original Regency Gown pattern. This takes the pattern up from size 18 through 26, since it was not possible to fit all the extra pieces onto the two sheets in the original pattern. Available in paper format for $3.50 or as an ePattern (instant download) for $2.95. Click to view the Regency Gown Pattern Supplement yardage chart.
Note: If you purchased a copy of this supplement prior to July 2009, click HERE for corrections.
137 Comments on Regency Gown Pattern
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[...] a whip stitch? The whole process started with a pattern. I happen to love Jennie Chancey’s Regency Gown Pattern, which I downloaded from her website. NEWSFLASH: Patterns now come as an “e-pattern”. [...]
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[...] used Sensibility’s Regency Gown pattern. I can’t speak highly enough about her patterns. Especially since she has a wide [...]
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barb
June 19, 2012 at 10:16 am (333 days ago)Thank you Jennie. The dress is now complete and I wore it to the ball Sat. night. Had many compliments.
Lyric
June 19, 2012 at 3:15 pm (333 days ago)Can you recommend a US source for affordable pima? It’s not the Jo-Ann’s in my neck of the woods.
Thanks.
Jennie Chancey
June 19, 2012 at 3:21 pm (333 days ago)I used to order it online from LaboursofLove.com, which is based in Canada (be sure to check the exchange rate!). Not sure if they still have it, but it’s worth checking. Other than that, check your yellow pages for heirloom sewing shops, as those usually stock pima and batiste. Hope this helps!
Pascale Pons
June 21, 2012 at 5:53 pm (331 days ago)It is just fabulous !!! I have watched “Pride and Prejudice” tonight on Arte (I am in Paris, France) and dreamt of making myself a Jane Austen dress for my son’s wedding which is taking place on September 1st, and I discovered your site. What a pleasure. I just have to figure out what is an e-pattern and the material I need in meters, not in yards (do not have the faintest idea of the lenght of an inch or a yard). Thanks any way.
Jennie Chancey
June 22, 2012 at 4:27 am (330 days ago)So glad you’ve enjoyed my site! One meter is 39 inches, and a yard is 36 inches–so just a three-inch difference. If you just go ahead and buy in meters, you’ll get about ten extra inches on average. Or you can simply ask the cutter to measure to 91 1/2 cm (36″). Hope this helps!
Blythe Ann Hockensmith
June 25, 2012 at 1:09 pm (327 days ago)I love this pattern! So easy and makes up in a jiff! In order to get the fit correct for a Regency evening dress, I made a mock up in a sweet Liberty print voile I’ve had for years, thinking if there were no major issues my friend would have 2 dresses. It was perfect-didn’t have to change one thing. My friend was so thrilled, she wants a spencer jacket and pelisse to wear with the Liberty print dress in addition to the evening dress. I have some lovely pique for those parments. Now she will have a day dress as well! And it is so darling, she wants several tops made from the pattern to wear with jeans, shorts and slacks. Now I’m having fun looking at some sleeve and neckline variations. Suggestions? What a fun pattern!
Jennie Chancey
June 25, 2012 at 4:30 pm (327 days ago)Hi, Blythe Ann! I’m so glad you enjoyed using my pattern and that your friend was thrilled with your work! I’ve made quite a few hip-length blouses from this pattern and the drawstring option in The Elegant Lady’s Closet pattern. They are comfortable and flattering and easy to make — all you do is cut the skirt to blouse-length. I really love the elbow-length sleeves from the ELC pattern, but you can also use this pattern’s long sleeves and cut to elbow-length or bracelet-length. Have fun!
Marie
June 25, 2012 at 11:16 pm (327 days ago)Thanks for this pattern, Jenny, it’s one of my favourites! Do you have any suggestions for modifying the pattern into H-cup territory?
Jennie Chancey
June 26, 2012 at 1:59 am (327 days ago)Hi, Marie! I’m delighted you’ve enjoyed this pattern. I always love to see what my creative customers make, and I really enjoyed your blog post.
The steps for sizing up to an “H” cup are the same as for sizing up to “DD,” which is shown in the appendix for the Romantic Era Dress pattern instructions. But I highly recommend first making a good-fitting set of stays for the proper support, as that will really make the final gown’s silhouette. I had a customer take my “D”-cup short stays up to a “G” with fantastic results. You can read her post on my message forum (you do have to sign up first, but it’s free and private). I hope this helps!
Emma B
July 11, 2012 at 10:18 am (311 days ago)Hello – total beginner here! Is the pattern full size or scaled?
Cheers
Emma
Jennie Chancey
July 11, 2012 at 1:43 pm (311 days ago)Hi, Emma! It’s full-sized. Thanks for asking!
Lyric
July 13, 2012 at 2:45 pm (309 days ago)Ms. Jennie, will you do me a fav. and check out my toile http://farmlady.com/?p=186
and help me with the tight armhole? I tried the forum and as I need to make one for a friend by 8/1 I’m a little anxious about it.
I guess I need a better eye to see if what I am thinking is correct. The DH has tried to help me with fitting, but, he’s not Jennie Chancey.
Thanks in advance.
Lyric
July 13, 2012 at 2:53 pm (309 days ago)Another thing:
The thing is, when I measure my arm, raised, I get the same number for the armhole on my bodice. The hubby says my “wings” are too big for the dress; not the armhole. I am frustrated and nervous as the fashion fabric is on its way from India and I can’t mess it up; but I don’t know how to address the issue.
Jennie Chancey
July 13, 2012 at 3:07 pm (309 days ago)Hi, Lyric! Looks to me like you’ve got the armholes right, but you may be broader in the shoulders (across the back), which would lead to the pulling you see. The short bodice will, indeed, pull up when you raise your arms over your head, but you can fix this by adding a bit of length to the bodice front (the fix for a low bust point, which you might also have). I’ve got a tutorial that shows how to fix these areas at http://sensibility.com/blog/tips/why-doesnt-this-look-like-the-pattern-cover/. Hope this helps!
Emma B
July 13, 2012 at 3:52 pm (309 days ago)Thanks Jennie. Thanks for the advice you gave Lyric too – I think I may get the same issue, so now know what to do!
Emma
Lyric
July 13, 2012 at 5:27 pm (309 days ago)YOU are the woman!!!! Thanks a heapa-bunch.
michaela c
July 17, 2012 at 10:40 am (305 days ago)oh my i wish someone would make me like eight dresses and nightgowns from this period i love it. it just makes me think of jane austin and pride and prejudice. my favorite!!!
Pascale Pons
July 18, 2012 at 4:42 pm (304 days ago)Thanks for your reply. I am buying the epattern right now, I have no idea how it looks and how to use it but it might take quite a long time before I get it through postal mail. An I my dress has to be ready for my son’s wedding on the 1st of september taking into account that I am leaving for a 3 weeks stay in Normandy next tuesday. If I read accurately your chart I need 3 m 1/4 in orther words, 3,25 m for size 16, as I am making it with a satin lining and mousseline I guess I need 3,25 cm of each. I would glady appreciate if you could confirm my guess. I am going to purchase some additional mousseline tomorrow. Thanks ever so. Pascale
Jennie Chancey
July 19, 2012 at 8:10 am (303 days ago)Hello! I do have video tutorials for the ePatterns, so be sure to click those links in the ePattern Instructions document. And don’t print anything prior to verifying your printer’s settings with the test ruler.
You’ve got the yardage correct, although you won’t need quite as much lining if you don’t plan to line the sleeves (not necessary to line them). 3m for lining will be more than sufficient unless you are very tall.
Congrats on the wedding, and have fun sewing!
Pascale Pons
July 21, 2012 at 10:27 am (301 days ago)Thanks for your comments. Unfortunatelly I cannot get my printer to print at the scale of 100 %. Don’t know why it does work even though I set 100 %. I’ll call them when I come back from holydays, if not I’ll print the pattern and make tests.
Thanks for your help.
Jennie Chancey
July 21, 2012 at 1:02 pm (301 days ago)Oh, that is so frustrating! There’s a tiny minority of printers that will not cooperate. You can always put the files on a thumb drive and take them to Staples to be printed. In fact, some Staples are able to piece the PDF back into a full pattern sheet and print to scale — but be sure to ask the per-foot price first! Sometimes it’s insane. A good architectural printer can do it for far less.
Brynn
August 6, 2012 at 5:10 pm (285 days ago)I am trying to see the Bonus photo tutorial to make a bodiced petticoat from this pattern and it says the page is no longer there. Can I see it some where else?
Jennie Chancey
August 7, 2012 at 6:01 am (284 days ago)Whoops! The link was incorrect. Jump to http://sensibility.com/blog/tips/how-to-make-a-regency-bodiced-petticoat-from-the-regency-gown-pattern/ for the tutorial.
Brynn
August 7, 2012 at 12:20 pm (284 days ago)Thanks!
Joanna
September 18, 2012 at 10:00 am (242 days ago)I believe the Simplicity pattern for the Regency Gown is your pattern aswell. Can you tell me if it sizes the same? Thanks for your help.
Jennie Chancey
September 22, 2012 at 7:58 am (238 days ago)Hi, Joanna! I have a list of all the differences at http://sensibility.com/pattern/differences.htm. Hope this helps!
Grace
September 22, 2012 at 10:02 am (238 days ago)Hi, I am thinking about sewing the regency dress in a light blue organdy. I took a sewing class a couple years ago for school, but I haven’t done much since then. I really want to make the dress, but I’m wondering how quickly do you think a beginner could sew this dress? We’re doing a traditional English tea after we finish reading Pride and Prejudice in a few weeks, and I’d like to have ti done by then. I could probably spend 30 minutes to an hour on it everyday.
Thank you!
Jennie Chancey
September 23, 2012 at 9:14 am (237 days ago)Hi, Grace! If you are familiar with your sewing machine and can make basic skirts, you will be able to handle the Regency Gown pattern. I’ve had beginners go through it in a few days’ time. I recommend checking my photo instructions as you go step by step, as that will help you navigate through the harder sections like sleeves and placket. And you can always drop me a line or check my message forum if you run into any snags!
Grace
September 23, 2012 at 10:42 am (237 days ago)Thank you for responding.
I made a shirt and a skirt with my sewing class, but the skirt was too wide and the shirt ended up being too small(but I think that I grew from the time that I measured to the time that I finished it).
Also, I was looking at the yardage requirements, and I noticed for the the lining it says: Lining(including skirt). Does that mean that I need 3 yards of the lining and 3 yards of my dress fabric for the skirt? I think so, but I want to make sure.
Thank you!
Jennie Chancey
September 23, 2012 at 1:01 pm (237 days ago)Hi, Grace! You only have to line the skirt if you are using sheer fabric. If you’re using cotton or linen or something else that’s opaque, don’t worry about lining.
Grace
October 1, 2012 at 11:02 pm (229 days ago)Sorry, I’ve got another question about the lining: Do I Have to line the bodice? or is it possible to skip that step? Also, if I have to line the bodice, can I use interfacing?
Thank you so much!
Jennie Chancey
October 2, 2012 at 2:19 am (229 days ago)Hi, Grace! Yes, you really do need the lining to provide full support and strengthen the seams. I don’t recommend interfacing, as it’s not really fabric–just interior stabilizer. Use 100% cotton for the best results.
Grace
October 3, 2012 at 12:49 pm (227 days ago)For the long sleeves, do I need the sleeve band? And if so, where do I attach it?
Thank you~
Jennie Chancey
October 3, 2012 at 3:15 pm (227 days ago)Nope! Those are for the lower edge of the puffed sleeves.
Grace
October 3, 2012 at 3:23 pm (227 days ago)Thanks, this was really puzzling me. ^^’
Grace
October 6, 2012 at 11:47 pm (224 days ago)Could you please direct me to some instructions on how to create a regency era hairstyle?
Thank you!
Jennie Chancey
October 7, 2012 at 1:25 pm (223 days ago)Hi, Grace! Intimelyfashion.com is currently down (under renovation), but it’s the site with the most hairstyle information for this time period. Also try Jessamyn’s page of Regency hairstyles at http://www.songsmyth.com/hairstyles.html. Hope this helps!
Carrie
October 7, 2012 at 3:14 pm (223 days ago)My bra size is 38DDDD. Is there any way this will fit pattern will fit me? Do you have any suggestions for someone with my bra size?
Jennie Chancey
October 7, 2012 at 3:18 pm (223 days ago)Hi, Carrie! I have instructions for going up to a “DD” cup in my Romantic Dress photo instructions. The principles are the same, no matter your cup size, so if you follow the instructions, you can go up from the DD to anything else. I do strongly recommend creating the correct underpinnings for the dress first, as that will give the proper support and create the right silhouette for this time period. Once those are finished, you remeasure and go from there. One of my customers made the short stays fit her size G cup, and you can read about how she did it on my message forum (registration is free and private). I hope this helps!
Emilie
October 20, 2012 at 5:16 pm (210 days ago):O !!! This is gorgeous!!! Are you selling this one anywhere already made? Please email me!!! I would definitely buy one!!
MacPattterson
November 7, 2012 at 2:07 pm (192 days ago)This is one of my favorite patterns.
Rebecca Burnham
December 4, 2012 at 2:53 am (166 days ago)Hi! I thought I saw instructions for making the Regency gown with a button front option around here somewhere. Can you direct me? Thanks!
Jennie Chancey
December 4, 2012 at 8:58 am (165 days ago)Hi, Rebecca! Yes, that’s at http://sensibility.com/blog/tips/easy-alterations-to-the-regency-gown-pattern/. Have fun!
Tina
December 31, 2012 at 12:00 am (139 days ago)I’m wondering if this pattern offers any variations to the long sleeve? I ask because I’m a Quaker and plan on wearing this dress on a daily basis and fear I would find the sleeves too tight and bothersome. I saw that you recommended this dress as a good ‘first’ project. What would you suggest next for someone like me, looking for a dress to wear in ‘real life’. Thank you so much for your time. Blessings, Tina
Jennie Chancey
December 31, 2012 at 6:05 pm (138 days ago)Hi, Tina! The long sleeves on this pattern are not very fitted at all. It’s the Elegant Lady’s Closet that has the more fitted sleeves. This one is comfy for everyday wear. Have fun sewing!
Amanda
March 20, 2013 at 11:48 pm (59 days ago)I want to make a dress like Elizabeth Bennet wears in the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice. It’s the one she wears to the party at Lucas Lodge and again at Lady Lucas’s house. What would you recommend for this project?
Jennie Chancey
March 21, 2013 at 4:49 pm (58 days ago)Hi, Amanda! The best one is this pattern (my original Regency Gown), but if you want the sheer white overdress, use the sleeveless pelisse option from my Spencer/Pelisse pattern. Hope this helps!