Note: I am a member of the Janome Maker program and this skirt is sewn on a Janome Skyline S9 and a Janome FA4 serger. (This post is sponsored by Janome but all content and opinions are
mine).
I self-drafted my own pattern (with the basic shapes shown below), but you can start with any
square-necked basic bodice or a dirndl-style dress that fits you. You will take your pattern and
slice the front bodice into 3 parts (a front center and 2 front sides). The front center is going to be
a different color of fabric that we will add crisscrossed twill tape or ribbons to. The width of
your front center will depend on your body measurement, but for reference, I cut a 6″ wide panel
(for a 5″ finished panel with seam allowance) for a 34″ bust.
The first thing you will make is the front center panel. Put down strips of twill tape or ribbon in a
criss-cross pattern on your rectangle and stitch them down. The raw edges will get trimmed and
then sewn to the front side pattern pieces. (If your decorative fabric is thin like mine, then you
will want to back it with a second piece of fabric).
Once you have the front center prepped you’ll sew it to the front sides, then sew the bodice backs
to the front sides, and also join the shoulder seams according to your dress pattern. For the
bodice lining, you’ll do similar construction, except you’ll skip making a decorative front center
panel. Don’t forget to put darts in your back panels if your pattern calls for them.
Stitch the fashion and lining layers right sides together at the necklines and flip right side out,
creating a clean edge at the neckline. For the armholes, fold the raw edges in, pin in place, and
top-stitch. For the center back, where the zipper will go, serge the raw edges.
To make the skirt, I used two rectangular panels of 58″ wide fabric cut to a length of 30″, but the
length can vary based on your preference for a longer or shorter skirt. (I am 5’6″, and after some
length is taken up through construction and hemming, the skirt falls a few inches below my
knee).
Optional: If you want a pocket, you can cut a strip from one of the skirt panels and use that to cut
out pocket pieces. I like to use my cell phone and hands as guides for how big the pocket should
be. Serge all the raw edges of the skirt and pocket pieces first. Stitch one pocket piece to one
skirt panel at the edge, right sides together. Put the right sides of the skirt panels together with the
pocket pieces flipped out to be right sides together as well. Sew down the skirt side seams and
around the pocket as shown by the pins, leaving an opening for your hand to reach in.
For the apron, I cut out a 22″ wide and 20″ long rectangle (with the exact size according to your
preference). You will want to hem the sides and bottom of the apron to finish the edges before
pinning it to the center of the front skirt panel at the top edge and then serging the raw edge of
the top of the skirt.
Split the back skirt panel down the middle to allow for a zipper and serge the new raw edges.
Pleat the top of the skirt to fit your bodice, matching up the side seams of each. Sew the bodice
to the skirt and press the waist seam open and flat.
Insert a zipper down the center back from the bodice to part way down the skirt, then finish the
rest of the back skirt seam.
Hem the bottom of the skirt by folding it up twice to your desired length, and your hobbit dress is
done! Pair it with a cute blouse and a floral headdress, and you will fit right in at the Shire!
Thank you for reading!
