This is my 1914 Afternoon Dress, which was inspired by an original design in a 1914 home economics textbook (see last image in the slideshow). It is a wonderful pattern for everything from everyday linen dresses to ethereal, filmy teagowns!
- Sizes 6-26 “DD” all included in one envelope.
- Several sleeve styles included (set-in or puffed; wrist- or elbow-length; cuffs or plain).
- Pattern includes instructions for lace insertion, and appendix includes traceable embroidery designs.
- You can also use the pattern to create a simple shift-style underdress. All instructions included!
- Special bodice option just for nursing moms with a secret front nursing panel.
- Photo Instructions online (coming soon in PDF format).
- Click to download the 1914 Afternoon Dress Pattern yardage chart.
- Available for instant download as an ePattern in PDF format!
- I also offer an online class if you’d like step-by-step instructions and help for creating your own gown!
Important Note: Because this pattern was drafted from an original 1914 design, it is created to be worn over a corseted form. If you do not wear a corset with the dress, I recommend cutting your bodice two sizes larger than what your bustline measurement calls for; that will give you the needed modern “ease” to wear the dress comfortably without a corset!
Note: If you purchased a copy of this pattern prior to 2003, click HERE for corrections/revisions.
8:40 pm
I love how this can be easily modified to enable nursing. Would it be possible to modify it to meet maternity needs? Thanks!
11:04 pm
Hi, Annie! You can modify this for maternity by raising the waistline about two inches. If you want to wear it all nine months, I’d also widen the skirt to accommodate more gathers. That’s it!
5:40 pm
Is there a corset pattern you would recommend to wear with this dress? I really love it! Thanks.
5:33 am
Hi, Kella! There used to be a proper columnar corset available, but I believe it has gone out of print. However, the “Two Victorian Corsets” pattern from Laughing Moon is excellent. It is long enough to go through the hips and gives the proper shape to the bust. Hope this helps!
7:03 pm
Hi, just another question!
If I didn’t wear a corset and and cut the bodice two sizes larger instead, like you suggested, when I wear the dress it will look fine, right? Not baggy or anything? 
Thank you!
7:06 pm
I’d rather not wear a corset, because I want to wear the dress to a dance (would it be suitable for that?, and it might get uncomfortable with corset.
Anyway,
Kella
7:07 pm
Wow, there are a lot of typos in my last comment.
Ha.
1:41 pm
Hi again, Kella! You won’t look “baggy” without a corset; the front of the dress has that famous “pouff” look above the waistline, which is normal. What you’re doing is just adding enough room for the bustline sans corset (a period corset pushes in the bustline a bit for a slimmer look up top).
11:47 pm
I just made this dress for my daughter’s thirteenth birthday. I made a mock version of the bodice first, out of muslin, to make sure it would fit properly. I didn’t know about adjusting for lack of a corset, but it turned out great. She loves the dress and she looks beautiful in it! I plan to make the childrens’ version for my other daughters in the near future! Thanks Jenny for fabulous patterns!
10:26 am
Jennie, not Jenny. So sorry!
2:01 pm
LOL! I’m very used to it, Gertrude! Thanks for the sweet comments!
5:49 am
Hi Jennie,
im only 14 so the corset would probably ruin my growth (as much as i would love to wear a corset i cant)would i have to double the size or could i leave it at my size without the corset?
7:53 am
Hi, Taylor! A properly fitted corset does not ruin growth or harm the wearer in any way, I can assure you! There are a lot of very silly corset myths out there that you can ignore. In fact, we have a dedicated thread on my message forum that explodes the myths about corsets.
But you don’t need a corset for this dress anyway. You do not need to double the size–just go up one size to give the needed room in the bust. Hope this helps!
8:20 pm
Hello! Sorry to bother you in Kenya but I was wondering what the difference between the cap cuffed sleeves and the puffed cuffed sleeves was. Thank you! I just can’t wait to make this dress!
2:48 am
Hi, Kelly! The puffed sleeves have gathers at the top and are bigger than the cap sleeves, which fall straight. Hope this helps!
6:46 am
(Tries to put it delicately) In normal cup sizes I’m a EE-F, but if I wore a corset with this dress would that make me fit the DD size? (As I’ve figured out that reason I always have to make so many alterations to commercial patterns is because of the cup size.)
2:01 am
Hi, Sarah! It depends on the corset type. If you wear a longline corset with a high mid-bust fit, that will reduce the cup size a bit. Best thing to do is to get or make the corset first, then retake your measurements. If you don’t want to go that route, all you need to do is add more length to the bodice front to accommodate your cup size.
I show how to do this in the online instructions for my Romantic Era Dress. The instructions are for DD but apply to any cup size — just plug in the right measurements. Hope this helps!
9:04 pm
If I was to make a white dress for modern wear, would I need to wear something underneath it? Is there a way to line it? I’m a bit hesitant about buying the pattern just yet
4:15 am
Hi there! Yes, you can certainly line the dress instead of binding the neckline. Just cut a second bodice of lining material and a second skirt, then line the dress with those. Skip the instructions for binding the neckline, as you will not need to do that if you fully line the bodice. Have fun!
6:21 am
Hi Jennie,
out of “Two Victorian Corsets” pattern from Laughing Moon is the best for this pattern?
Kind Regards, Taylor.
6:21 am
sorry which is the best out of those two for this pattern?
3:11 pm
Hi, Taylor! Use the longer corset that goes down over the top of the hips. It works nicely!
12:47 am
Thank you
5:54 pm
hi i was wondering if it were possible to take a bit of length out of the skirt?
3:48 am
Hi, Rachel! You can cut and hem the skirt to any length you want.
9:04 pm
thank you.
one more thing is there a particular material to use?
i love the dress its beautiful.
Rachel
1:21 pm
Hi, Rachel! Fabric choice depends on what look you’re aiming for. Dresses of this period were made from batiste, voile, organdy, and other “heirloom” materials, or you could make what was called a “wash” dress for everyday wear from washable materials like cotton and linen. Hope this helps!
7:16 pm
Hi Jennie.
that is lodes of help.
looking foreword to making the dress.
thank you for all the help.
-rach