Emporia Penelope Dress (Intermediate)

The Penelope dress features a loose fitting, lined bodice with a v-neck, wide, dramatic sleeves and a maxi skirt with an external frill, plus a side seam pocket – you can also make it as a simple one drop midi length. Perfect for summer and winter, depending on your fabric choice, Penelope is set to be your new best me-made friend.

Make her from cotton poplin or lawn to get maximum volume in those statement sleeves, or go for viscose or something with more drape for a softer look. Summer fabrics like broderie anglaise, chambray and linen are perfect for hot weather, while needlecord and jacquard would work well in the colder months. Penelope can be a lovely holiday outfit, is great for weddings and special occasions as a maxi, or as a casual dress for everyday wear when made without the frill – why not hack it into a blouse or a skirt? Playing around with the pattern is half the fun!

Penelope comes in sizes 6 – 30.

Please note, there are no pattern pieces for the skirt as they are made up from simple rectangles based on your chosen size. Please consult the charts below to decide which size you want to make, and how much fabric you will need.

To fit body size:
Bust Waist Hips
6 76cm/30” 58.5cm/23” 84cm/33”
8 81.5cm/32” 63.5cm/25” 89cm/35”
10 86.5cm/34” 68.5cm/27” 94cm/37”
12 91.5cm/36” 73.5cm/29” 99cm/39”
14 96.5cm/38” 78.5cm/31” 104cm/41”
16 101.5cm/40” 84cm/33” 109cm/43”
18 106cm/42” 89cm/35” 114.5cm/45”
20 112cm/44” 94cm/37” 119cm/47”
22 117cm/46” 99cm/39” 124.5cm/49”
24 122cm/48” 104cm/41” 129.5cm/51”
26 127cm/50” 109cm/43” 134.5cm/53”
28 132cm/52” 114.5cm/45” 139.5cm/55”
30 137cm/54” 119cm/47” 145cm/57”

Finished garment measurements:
Size Bust High waist Sleeve length
6 80cm/31.5” 75cm/29.5” 48.5cm
8 85cm/33.5” 79cm/31” 49cm
10 90cm/35.5” 85cm/33.3” 49.5cm
12 95cm/37.5” 89cm/35” 50cm
14 100cm/39.5” 95cm/37” 50.5cm
16 105cm/41.5” 99cm/39” 51cm
18 110cm/43.5” 105cm/41” 51.5cm
20 115cm/45.5” 109cm/43” 52.5cm
22 120cm/47” 115cm/45” 53cm
24 125cm/49” 119cm/47” 53.5cm
26 130cm/51” 125cm/49” 54.5cm
28 135cm/53” 129cm/51” 55cm
30 140cm/55” 135cm/53” 56cm

Fabric requirements:
Sizes 6 – 24
Lining – 0.5m
Dress with frill – 4m

Sizes 26 – 30
Lining – 1m
Dress with frill – 4.5m

If making the version with no frill, take off 86cm from your dress fabric requirements.