I haven’t posted here in a while, haha…so much for trying to post once a week 
Work has been non-stop and sewing had to take a back seat for a couple of weeks. But in the name of racial harmony day (being celebrated in both my girls’ schools this Friday). I decided to dig out this half finished, self-drafted pattern that didn’t make it in time for Chinese New Year. Ok, the truth is that it’s not a big school event and I was going to send them in the same store bought Chinese new year dress that I have been making them wear for such school events, but I suddenly realized two days ago that I had already passed down the smaller size to my niece, and the larger size now fits my little one perfectly. Which means my older girl has nothing to wear! It was a sewing emergency!
Just a little bit about this dress. It’s a qipao 旗袍 or cheongsam. A popular Chinese style dress which you can buy easily in all kinds of colors, patterns and sizes from stores especially before Chinese new year. But I have never quite liked the tacky loud polyester types that are massed produced. So I really wanted to make a cotton fabric, easy to wear alternative for the kids. I started drafting this pattern early this year, and had to make many test patterns just to get the collar right. I think the pattern has finally come together and I’m happy with it. Will proceed to make this pattern in more sizes!
16 Comments
Gorgeous, Yifarn! And what a coincidence… my next pattern (#4) will also be a qipao dress! A bit different though, but still. Great minds think alike ;-p
Oh…so beautiful! My 10years old saw your blog, she asked me if I can sew one for her. When can I get the pattern and guide please. Thank you!
* I mean where and not when. Sorry for typing error. ^^
This is really beautiful. I’d also like to know where I can find the pattern to sew for my 9yo and 4yo. We live in Belgium and they enjoy the Chinese “costumes” my family sent to them. They use them as dressing up.
Your binding looks just perfect! Lovely garment!
Thank you!
Please please please publish your pattern in time for CNY next year
I’ve ripped apart polyester ones and also tried to draft my own but utter failure. Will be watching your site eagerly for this. Good luck!
Hi Iroknits, I have actually drafted the patterns but have not had time to do up the video tutorial. But I will definitely try to get it done by December.
Hi Cotton Candy, do you have this pattern ready yet? It’s almost CNY soon!!
hi there, am wondering if you have come up with this pattern? I’d love to purchase it, and practise making some before CNY comes (soon!) please please say yes?
Hi, would you have a pattern that I can buy for this?! It looks beautiful and I would so love to sew one! I’ve been toying with spending $ to buy a cheongsam so that I can rip it apart and see how it’s done! Though a pattern would be soooo much easier. Thanks!
Hi everyone, sorry for the late reply but yes I will be doing a sew-along next week for this pattern. I do have the patterns ready but I have not gotten all the sizes tested so I can’t release them for sale yet.
I will post up the free patterns and will love it if you guys give me some feedback on it.
Most likely the sew-along steps will be posted on my other blog but I will post the links here as well so you won’t miss it when I put it up.
Thanks for all your kind words and your interest in my pattern!
Hello, I really like the cheongsam that you made. So so adorable!! Could you please publish the pattern? Thanks a million!!
Hi there! Count me in as another one hoping you will release this pattern very soon in the hopes of sewing 2 of them up for my daughters for Chinese New Year Next week! Your dress is absolutely gorgeous!
Wait, never mind, I just found it on your other blog! Thank you so much–can’t wait to get started!!
Adding another voice to request the pattern, I’m in the same boat as everyone else! Will be happy to pattern test, purchase, share your links, whatever helps!