The Pinafore

All-New PDF Pattern from Whipstitch!

We have three girls, and all three of them–even this littlest one–have been busy girls.  They have things to do and places to go, you know.  Getting them dressed so that they can be active but still wear the sweet girly things that they love (and that I love, let’s be honest) is always easier when I have a go-to pattern that I know will look great, wear with anything, and that’s suitable for any destination from church to the playground.  This is my favorite one, based on a style my own mother made for me and my sisters: the Pinafore.

The classic pinafore was an over-dress, meant to be half dress/half apron and protect a girl’s clothing from the dust and dirt of the outside world.  The strappy shape fits over sleeves of a full dress and gives a sweet look to any little lady.  What I love about the Whipstitch Pinafore, though, is that it gives me the flexibility to have my girls wear it almost anywhere: they wear it in the summer on its own (or with a diaper covers for the littlies or shorts for the older girls), in the fall with a tee underneath, in the winter with jeans and a cardigan, and in the spring with a skirt.  Or any time of year with a short-or-long-sleeved dress, in that most traditional fashion.  It’s SUCH a fun shape and so easy to style so many different ways!

This jumper is quick to stitch up, with a lined bodice that goes together like a dream (and will teach you some great tricks to use when sewing sleeveless designs), a quick gathered skirt, and a clean button back.  Use one button for an apron look, or lots for a full-coverage dress look.  What a great style for showcasing your favorite novelty fabrics and buttons, too!

Since the Pinafore is sized generously, you can make her the size she wears now to serve as jumper or dress, and as she grows, it will grow with her, becoming a tunic and finally a hip-length top–years of enjoying your favorite fabrics, all in a sweet shape that’s timeless!

Included is a 13-page PDF with pattern pieces for sewing the Pinafore in sizes 12 months through 6T, clearly-written instructions with full-color photographs, and tips and tricks for sewing this shape that can carry over to all the other designs you’re itching to stitch (because I always want you to Learn As You Sew!).  When you click through to buy, you’ll be taken to an instant download page, so you’ll be off and sewing TODAY with no delay–woot!

I really hope you love making the Pinafore as much as I do.  It’s seriously, honestly a major staple in my girls’ wardrobes, and I hope it becomes the same for you!  Happy sewing!
[box color=”blue” align=”center”]This pattern is temporarily unavailable as it is being RE-FORMATTED into a tablet-friendly layout. Sign up for the newsletter to be alerted for when the revised version is ready![/box]

6 Comments

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    Introducing the Pinafore! | Whipstitch
    June 8, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    […] am delighted to introduce you to my newest Whipstitch sewing pattern: the Pinafore! It’s a super cute, very classic and clean shape for little girls, perfect for any season, all […]

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    Reversible Girls Jumper | Whipstitch
    September 3, 2014 at 11:19 pm

    […] under a cardigan, wear it with shorts or with pants, or all by itself–all year long (much like the Pinafore; there is a method to my madness, y’all).  Rachel did find a bit of errata in her construction […]

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    Tula Pink Bumble: the Return of Peached Poplin | Whipstitch
    October 2, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    […] is my Pinafore pattern, which I have always, always loved.  All my girls have worn versions of this shape over the years, […]

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    whipstitch + giveaway | kids clothes week blog
    January 28, 2015 at 12:18 pm

    […] One lucky winner will get all  Whipstitch children’s patterns:  the Overmost, the Pinafore. And you will win Deborah’s e-course How to Sew Knits without a Serger! All together […]

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    I Can’t Be Stopped: Matching Family Easter | Whipstitch
    April 14, 2015 at 11:20 am

    […] youngest had the largest handmade garments: both a Flip Flop dress and a Pinafore.  She specifically requested HUGE pockets on the Pinafore: “big enough for three or FOUR […]

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    Lemon Drop Love: Small World Fabric | Whipstitch
    May 12, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    […] The Lemon Drop print here is sewn up in my Pinafore, a pattern I manufactured for years to sell and developed into a pattern for my Sewing Clothes for Kids class back in 2010.  It’s headed out to testers in just a few days, and will be back available for sale super soon!  Read more about the Pinafore here. […]

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