A long, romantic nightgown inspired by Victorian sleepwear. The square neckline is finished with a neat facing, full bishop sleeves are gathered into narrow cuffs, and the easy A-line body falls from the shoulders to between mid-calf and ankle. Small bust darts and back shoulder darts shape the top, and two hidden pockets sit in the side seams. There are no buttons or zips: it simply slips on over your head.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern in A4 and US Letter, and sew your own Victorian nightgown!
Materials
- Main fabric: 2.1–3.8 m (2 3/8–4 1/4 yd) of 150 cm (60″) wide fabric, or 3.8–4.2 m (4 1/4–4 5/8 yd) of 115 cm (45″) wide fabric. Choose a light to medium-weight woven with soft drape: cotton lawn, batiste, voile, poplin, double gauze, lightweight linen or viscose challis. For winter, brushed cotton flannel
- Pocket lining: 0.3–0.4 m (3/8–1/2 yd) of lightweight cotton, or the main fabric if it is light
- Lightweight fusible interfacing: 0.3–0.4 m (3/8–1/2 yd), 90 cm (36″) wide, for the cuffs and neck facings
- Matching thread, universal needles 70/10 or 80/12, and optional narrow cotton lace for the neckline or cuffs
Avoid stretch knits and stiff or heavy fabrics such as denim or canvas: the bishop sleeves will not drape. Pre-wash your fabric, since cotton and linen can shrink 3–5%.
Pattern pieces
- Front, main fabric: cut 1 (single layer, not on a fold)
- Back, main fabric: cut 1 (single layer, not on a fold)
- Sleeve, main fabric: cut 2
- Cuff, main fabric + interfacing: cut 2 + 2
- Front Neck Facing, main fabric + interfacing: cut 1 + 1
- Back Neck Facing, main fabric + interfacing: cut 1 + 1
- Pocket Bag, lining: cut 4 (2 pairs)
The Front and Back are drawn whole with the center line marked: cut each once on a single layer. Flip the Sleeve and Pocket Bag over for each mirrored piece. Mark the darts, pocket opening marks, ease dots on the sleeve cap and gather dots on the sleeve hem.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern
One file per size, in the paper format that suits you. Share your finished nightgown with #cozysewpatterns!
A0 + Step-by-step guideGet it here ↓Unzip the folder first. Print page 1 at 100% (actual size) and measure the 10 cm (4″) calibration square before printing the rest. Trim the margins and tape the pages together, matching the markers. The A0 file comes with the illustrated guide below.
Sizing guide
Drafted for a height of 1.68 m (5′6″). Choose your size by bust measurement. The bodice has about 5–6 cm (2–2 1/4″) of ease at the bust, and there is no opening, so between two sizes take the larger one. For brushed flannel, or to wear it over a warm layer, go one size up.
Letter sizes: 00 = XXS · 0/2 = XS · 4/6 = S · 8/10 = M · 12/14 = L · 16 = XL · 18 = 2XL · 20 = 3XL · 22 = 4XL
Body measurements (cm)
| cm | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 80 | 82.5 | 85 | 87.75 | 90.25 | 92.75 | 95.25 | 99.25 | 104.25 | 109.25 | 114.25 | 119.25 | 124.25 |
| Waist | 63.5 | 66 | 68.75 | 71.25 | 73.75 | 76.25 | 78.75 | 82.75 | 87.5 | 93.25 | 99 | 104.75 | 110.5 |
| Hips | 87.75 | 90.25 | 92.75 | 95.25 | 98 | 100.25 | 102.75 | 106.5 | 111 | 115.5 | 120.75 | 125.75 | 130.75 |
Body measurements (inches)
| in | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 31.5 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 39.1 | 41.0 | 43.0 | 45.0 | 46.9 | 48.9 |
| Waist | 25.0 | 26.0 | 27.1 | 28.1 | 29.0 | 30.0 | 31.0 | 32.6 | 34.4 | 36.7 | 39.0 | 41.2 | 43.5 |
| Hips | 34.5 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 38.6 | 39.5 | 40.5 | 41.9 | 43.7 | 45.5 | 47.5 | 49.5 | 51.5 |
Finished garment measurements (cm)
| cm | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 85.5 | 88 | 90.5 | 93.2 | 95.8 | 98.2 | 100.8 | 104.8 | 109.9 | 115 | 120.1 | 125.2 | 130.3 |
| Waist | 90.8 | 93.2 | 95.7 | 98.6 | 101.4 | 104.1 | 106.7 | 110.7 | 115.5 | 120.7 | 125.8 | 131 | 136.1 |
| Hips | 93.2 | 95.8 | 98.7 | 101.9 | 105.5 | 108.9 | 112 | 116.2 | 120.9 | 126.4 | 131.8 | 137.5 | 142.7 |
| Hem width | 111 | 113.6 | 117.4 | 121.4 | 126.7 | 131.9 | 135.9 | 140.6 | 144.7 | 151 | 156.7 | 163.6 | 168.9 |
| Back length | 118.9 | 118.8 | 118.9 | 119 | 119 | 118.9 | 119 | 119.7 | 119.8 | 120 | 120.3 | 120.5 | 121 |
| Sleeve length | 60.9 | 60.9 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61.1 | 61.1 | 61.2 | 61.2 | 61.3 | 61.4 | 61.5 | 61.5 |
| Cuff | 21.8 | 21.4 | 22.9 | 23.2 | 23.6 | 24.4 | 24.8 | 25.1 | 25.5 | 25.9 | 26.6 | 27 | 27.4 |
Fabric and notions per size
| 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm / 60″ wide (m) | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| 115 cm / 45″ wide (m) | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Pocket lining (m) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Interfacing 90 cm / 36″ (m) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
Sewing notes
Fit and style
Fitted only at the bust and shoulders, then an easy A-line to between mid-calf and ankle. The cuffs have no opening: wrap the Cuff piece around the widest part of your hand along the stitching line, and add up to 3 cm (1 1/8″) if it does not reach. To change the length, add or remove at the hem of the Front and Back, keeping the curve.
Fabrics
Light cottons give a breezy summer nightgown; brushed flannel makes a warm winter one. On very fine fabrics, finish the seams with a narrow zigzag or serger so they do not fray in the wash.
Cutting out
Cut on a single layer, right side up. Fuse the interfacing to the cuffs and both neck facings. The Front Neck Facing is printed upside down compared with the Front: this does not change the cutting.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Seam allowances are 1 cm (3/8″). Sew with right sides together and press every seam before you cross it with another.
- Sew the front bust darts.
- Sew the back shoulder darts.
- Add the in-seam pockets and sew the side seams.
- Sew the shoulder seams.
- Face the square neckline, clipping into the corners for sharp, flat corners.
- Gather the sleeves into the cuffs.
- Set in the sleeves, easing the cap.
- Hem the nightgown with a 2 cm (3/4″) folded hem.
- Final press.
Stuck on a step? Sew it with pictures.
The steps above are a quick overview. The full illustrated guide walks you through every step with clear drawings: the darts, the in-seam pockets, the square neckline facing with sharp corners, the gathered bishop sleeves and cuffs and setting in the sleeves. It also includes the A0 pattern file.
- Illustrated diagrams for every step
- Before-you-begin checklist and fit tips
- Video guides with QR codes for the key techniques
- A0 pattern file included
- Printable PDF, instant download
Español · Italiano · Deutsch · Français · Nederlands…
Buy the guide, then email us your language. Free, delivered in 48–72h.
♥ Every guide you buy keeps our patterns free.
Questions
Is the pattern really free?
Yes. The A4 and US Letter pattern files are free. The illustrated step-by-step guide and the A0 file are available for a small coffee.
Is there a zipper or buttons?
No. The nightgown slips on over the head, and the cuffs are closed rings that pass over your hand.
Does it have pockets?
Yes, two hidden pockets in the side seams.
Can I wear it as a dress?
Yes. In linen, double gauze or viscose it makes a lovely long prairie-style dress for daytime.
Happy sewing!
