Emporia Patterns Penelope dress features a loose fitting, lined bodice with a v-neck, wide, dramatic sleeves and a maxi skirt with an external frill, plus a side seam pocket - you can also make it as a simple one drop midi length. Perfect for summer and winter, depending on your fabric choice, Penelope is set to be your new best me-made friend.
Make her from cotton poplin or lawn to get maximum volume in those statement sleeves, or go for viscose or something with more drape for a softer look. Summer fabrics like broderie anglaise, chambray and linen are perfect for hot weather, while needlecord and jacquard would work well in the colder months. Penelope can be a lovely holiday outfit, is great for weddings and special occasions as a maxi, or as a casual dress for everyday wear when made without the frill - why not hack it into a blouse or a skirt? Playing around with the pattern is half the fun!
Please note, there are no pattern pieces for the skirt as they are made up from simple rectangles based on your chosen size. Please consult the charts below to decide which size you want to make, and how much fabric you will need.
Sizing:
Penelope comes in UK sizes 6 - 30. Drafted for a height of 5'7".
| UK Size |
Bust |
Waist |
Hip |
| 6 |
76cm / 30" |
58.5cm / 23" |
84cm / 33" |
| 8 |
81.5cm / 32" |
63.5cm / 25" |
89cm / 35" |
| 10 |
86.5cm / 34" |
68.5cm / 27" |
94cm / 37" |
| 12 |
91.5cm / 36" |
73.5cm / 29" |
99cm / 39" |
| 14 |
96.5cm / 38" |
78.5cm / 31" |
104cm / 41" |
| 16 |
101.5cm / 40" |
84cm / 33" |
109cm / 43" |
| 18 |
106cm / 42" |
89cm / 35" |
114.5cm / 45" |
| 20 |
112cm / 44" |
94cm / 37" |
119cm / 47" |
| 22 |
117cm / 46" |
99cm / 39" |
124.5cm / 49" |
| 24 |
122cm / 48" |
104cm / 41" |
129.5cm / 51" |
| 26 |
127cm / 50" |
109cm / 43" |
134.5cm / 53" |
| 28 |
132cm / 52" |
114.5cm / 45" |
139.5cm / 55" |
| 30 |
137cm / 54" |
119cm / 47" |
145cm / 57" |
Finished garment measurements:
| UK Size |
Bust |
High Waist |
Sleeve Length |
| 6 |
80cm / 31.5" |
75cm / 29.5" |
48.5cm |
| 8 |
85cm / 33.5" |
79cm / 31" |
49cm |
| 10 |
90cm / 35.5" |
85cm / 33.3" |
49.5cm |
| 12 |
95cm / 37.5" |
89cm / 35" |
50cm |
| 14 |
100cm / 39.5" |
95cm / 37" |
50.5cm |
| 16 |
105cm / 41.5" |
99cm / 39" |
51cm |
| 18 |
110cm / 43.5" |
105cm / 41" |
51.5cm |
| 20 |
115cm / 45.5" |
109cm / 43" |
52.5cm |
| 22 |
120cm / 47" |
115cm / 45" |
53cm |
| 24 |
125cm / 49" |
119cm / 47" |
53.5cm |
| 26 |
130cm / 51" |
125cm / 49" |
54.5cm |
| 28 |
135cm / 53" |
129cm / 51" |
55cm |
| 30 |
140cm / 55" |
135cm / 53" |
56cm |
Fabric requirements:
Sizes 6 – 24
Lining – 0.5m
Dress with frill – 4m
Sizes 26 – 30
Lining – 1m
Dress with frill – 4.5m
If making the version with no frill, take off 86cm from your dress fabric requirements.
Fabric recommendations: cotton poplin, cotton lawn, cotton sateen, viscose challis, linen, needlecord, broderie anglaise, double gauze, crepe, chambray
All Emporia patterns are produced on paper and feature different coloured lines to differentiate between each size.
