Shift, 1790s sewing pattern

Historical garments for costume, reenactment and study. Drafted to your own measurements or a standard size, ready to print.

Patterns / Historical

What you get

  • 3 pattern pieces (5 to cut), each with grainline, notches and labels.
  • Drafted to your body measurements, or to a standard size: women's 28 to 46 or men's 32 to 50.
  • 10 mm seam allowance included. Print at home as a tiled A4 or Letter PDF, or as SVG and DXF.
  • See it on a 3D dress form and change it in the studio before you cut.

Suggested fabric: cotton poplin, kitenge/wax print, linen or viscose.

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Pattern pieces

PieceCutOn the fold
Body1Yes
Sleeve2
Gusset2

How to sew your shift, 1790s

  1. Open the pattern in the studio and choose your size, or enter your measurements.
  2. Check the fit on the 3D form and adjust lengths or ease if you need to.
  3. Print the tiled PDF at 100% scale, check the test square, and tape the pages together.
  4. Cut the pieces from cotton poplin, transfer the notches, and sew.

More patterns: Historical