Looking for a pattern for a Chinese dres

Good Morning,
My Granddaughter would like me to maker her a Chinese, asian or oriental style dress. One with the manderin ( I am sure this is not spelled correctly) collar, and frog opening from the center front neck to the side, under the arm and over the chest area. I thought there may have been an article in the Threads, but so far I can’t find it.
Does anyone have any idea where I can get a pattern or the directions on drafting one. I have looked though the pattern books, without any luck. She is a children size 7/8. If I have to, I could make a pattern from a small ladies or teen pattern. I always saw these patterns but now that I need one, no such luck. I really appreciate your help.
Loulou
Edited 5/11/2002 6:54:18 PM ET by LOULOU311
Edited 5/11/2002 7:08:20 PM ET by LOULOU311
Replies
Folkwear Patterns has a cheong sam pattern and I think there is a child's version. Haberman Fabrics in Royal Oak MI sells them on their website. http://www.habermanfabrics.com
I just made a wedding dress that was all of those things that you described. It is a Butterick 6057. This dress is actually two dresses. The asian inspired is a sheer overdress with a slip dress underneath. But you would have no problem just making the top dress opaque and going with that. The bride adored hers, hope your granddaughter does as well.
This is exactly the question that I came to this forum to ask!! A friend of mine is bringing me 3 1/2 yds of silk from Hong Kong to make a cheong sam, and I told her I would look on the internet to find a pattern. Thanks!
Michele
Hi! If you are looking for an adult-size cheongsam, have you seen Simplicity 9300? I bought this a few months ago. I made this type of dress a few years ago with another Simplicity pattern that is out of print, but I like this pattern better because it's more fitted. Some of the cheongsam styles I've seen have little shape and seem to hang like a tube. I like that this pattern has full princess seems instead of just darts. It's on my "to sew" list. :)
I had looked at the Simplicity pattern, because a friend of mine has asked me to make her a cheongsam. I noticed that they describe the dress as "loose-fitting" and they shoulders and sleeves are not particularly well fitting. My friend asked for a sleeveless style exactly like the one I have (not made by myself, but found in a thrift store and extremely well tailored to someone who is luckily exactly my size). The sleeveless dress uses overbust darts toward the armhole as well as vertical darts below bust to waist and hip.
I have ended up making a pattern by using a butterick fitting sloper and then cutting the opening flap and creating an extra shoulder front. We decided we didn't want a zip in the back, but down the side as is authentic.
And a second thought: if you want an authentic pattern, Folkwear sells a Hong Kong Cheongsam pattern.
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