Apron Dress - Measurements & Pattern Sizing
by Katla járnkona

This form is based upon The Viking Apron-Dress: A New Reconstruction by Ellisif Flakkari (Monica Cellio).
Its purpose is to help you 'do the math' for this method.

When making an apron dress with this method of layout, you make your decision on how long the dress can be is based on how much fabric you have. The pieces that make up your dress will be cut from the cloth as laid out in the diagram at the right. This layout assumes that your fabric doesn't have any sort of 'nap' that forces an orientation along the fabric. So, let's do the calculation of how much fabric you'll need.

For your bust size, be sure to include room
for breathing and movement:

Measurement for:	Actual size:	Pattern:
Bust:
Length from armpit to waist:
Desired length:
Your preferred seam allowance:
Your preferred hem width:

(Armpit to waist) + S.A. A = (Bust / 3) + (2 * S.A.) B = Pattern piece length: A + C = Gore Length, therefore: C = Gore Width ( 2 * B ): GoreW = A + C + C: L = W = 7*S.A. + Bust Estimated length of hem: If your rectangle of fabric is not large enough to accomodate the length & width, consider this alternate method of construction.

Measurements to mark fabric: Along the edges: 1.5 * S.A. 2*Bust/3 + 2*S.A. S.A. Bust/3 + 2*S.A. Check width: W =     Along the middle: Bust/6 + 2*S.A. B B Bust/6 + 2*S.A. Check width: W = Remember, this is not rocket science! It will not be critical if you round the numbers to a convenient fraction.

Before you assemble your pattern pieces, I recommend that you round off the bottom of both the gores and the side pieces so that your measurement from waist to hem is equal on both the seams and the center of each piece. You'll have an easier time getting a uniform hem length.

Assemble your pattern peices:

For finishing techniques (straps, closure), read Ellisif Flakkari's article, The Viking Apron-Dress: A New Reconstruction (by Monica Cellio).

And, of course, you'll want to wear your Apron dress over an authentic rectangular construction for a Norse Undertunic.

Costuming for the Norse/Viking Woman:
Norse Undertunic • Norse Undertunic: Layout
3-Panel Norse Apron Dress • 4-Panel Norse Apron Dress
Rounding the Bottom Hem of your Gores • Tips for Half-Gore Segments
Creating a Neckhole • Resources/Links
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