Southern Belle Dress Sewing Pattern

A vintage modern 1950s Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern View B in a teal lace fabric, featuring graceful below-elbow raglan sleeves and a feminine scooped neckline.
A vintage modern 1950s Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern View A shown in a full-body standing view. The pink gingham dress features a voluminous skirt with godet inserts, a green ribbon sash, and a delicate floral applique.
A vintage modern 1950s Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern View B shown in a full-body standing view. The teal lace dress features a rounded hemline, scooped neckline, and is styled with black vintage gloves and heels.
A vintage modern 1950s Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern View B in light blue floral lace, featuring a navy ribbon sash, scooped neckline, and a full gathered skirt with a rounded hem.
A vintage modern 1950s Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern Plus Size (18w–30w) View B, featuring a red and black polka dot print, a solid black gathered midriff, and a voluminous rounded hem skirt.
A vintage modern 1950s Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern fashion illustration featuring a sheer pink lace overdress, elegant raglan sleeves, and a voluminous gathered skirt with a rounded hem.
The official vintage modern Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern Misses envelope front (LN8503), featuring a romantic pink lace illustration alongside a teal lace lifestyle photo.
The official vintage modern Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern Plus Size envelope front (LN8503PL), featuring a romantic pink lace illustration alongside a burgundy red lace lifestyle photo for sizes 18w–30w.
Technical line drawings for the vintage modern 1950s Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern, displaying front and back views for both View A (with godet inserts) and View B (with a rounded hem).

Southern Belle Dress Sewing Pattern

(2 customer reviews)

Price range: $21.00 through $28.00

  • Misses Sizes 2–18
  • Plus Sizes 18w–30w
  • Elegant Feminine Dress Pattern
  • Vintage Modern 1950s Style
  • Sophisticated Scooped Neckline Detail
  • Voluminous Gathered Skirt with Godets
  • Graceful Raglan Below-Elbow Sleeves
  • Flattering Gathered Midriff Design
  • Beginner Level
  • Paper Pattern Printed & Shipped
  • PDF Pattern in Letter & A4
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SKU: LN8503 Categories: , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Description

The Southern Belle Dress sewing pattern is a vintage modern midi length gown featuring a structured bodice and a dramatic full skirt. Professionally drafted and graded for accuracy across sizes.

This feminine classic is designed for lace and other sheer border‑overlay fabrics. The easy‑to‑fit bodice features a midriff, under‑bust gathers, 3/4 raglan sleeves, and a scooped neckline finished with self‑fabric binding. The flared midi‑length skirt is gathered at the waist with a smooth, flat front. View A is ideal for lace and other border fabrics and includes a slightly angular hem with godets. View B has a rounded skirt hem and is perfect for sheers with a standard selvage. The dress closes with a center‑back zipper, and the waistline is accented with a tied or pinned ribbon embellishment.

⟡ Fabric

The Fabrics we Recommend for This Pattern:

Designed for soft or crisp fabrics in light to medium weights. For the View A overlay, choose lace or sheer fabrics with a finished edge along the selvage. For the View B overlay, choose lace or sheers without a finished edge; ombré fabrics (those that fade from edge to center) also work well. Suitable overlay fabrics for Views A or B include sheer or semi sheer; organza, chiffon, gauze, georgette, organdy, lawn, dotted swiss,or voile are just a few. Views A or B underlining (also called lining) in either view, good options include rayon, wool, satin, crepe‑back satin, faille, taffeta, sateen, and cotton or cotton blends. Note: Combine fabrics with similar weights and drape qualities. Stiffer fabrics will create more body and structure, while softer fabrics will look and feel floaty.

⟡ Misses Materials

MISSES:
What You’ll Need to Make this Pattern

SOUTHERN BELLE DRESS MISSES SIZE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

NOTIONS: Thread, 22″ zipper, 2 ½ yards of ribbon for belt, sizes 16-18: ½ yard of 22” interfacing; sizes 6-14: 1/4 yard of interfacing

VIEW A VIEW B
REQUIREMENTS * 45” 60” 45” 60”
DRESS or UNDER-LINING 6 ⅝ yds
w/o nap		 4 ¾ yds
w/o nap		 7 ⅝ yds
with or w/o nap		 4 ¼ yds
w/o nap
OVERDRESS or OVERLAY
(double or single edge border)		 9 ½ yds
single edge border		 5 yds
double edge border		 N/A 5 ¾ yds
w/o nap

⟡ Plus Materials

PLUS:
What You’ll Need to Make this Pattern

SOUTHERN BELLE DRESS PLUS SIZE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

NOTIONS: Thread, 20″ zipper, 3 yards of 1 ½” ribbon for belt, ½ yard of 22” wide interfacing

VIEW A VIEW B
REQUIREMENTS * 45” 60” 45” 60”
DRESS or UNDER-LINING 6 ¾ yds 5 ¼ yds 7 ¼ yds 5 ¼ yds
OVERDRESS or OVERLAY
(double edge border only*)		 6 ⅜ yds
with double edge border		 5 ½ yds
with double edge border		 N/A 5 ¾ yds
without decorative edging

*Double the fabric required for fabrics with a single edge border

⟡ About Fit & Ease

How Our Sizing Works

All of our patterns are multi‑sized, and every size is included in each pattern. We use a measurement‑based sizing system similar to bridalwear, so your usual retail size or standard pattern size may not correspond to our chart. Select your size using your body measurements, choosing the closest match for each area. You can achieve an excellent fit by customizing your size across the three main measurement points.

Misses Fit

Our misses block is drafted for a true hourglass figure with broader shoulders, a full B‑cup bust, a long waist, and a height of 5’7″. Fitted styles generally include:

  • 3″ full‑bust ease
  • 0–1″ waist ease
  • 2″ hip ease

Additional design ease may be added depending on the style. To understand the finished garment fit, refer to the body measurements in the chart and add the ease amounts listed above.

Plus Fit

Our plus block is drafted for a different distribution of curves than the misses block, with narrower shoulders, a fuller waist and hip, a slightly shorter waist length, and a height of 5’7″. Plus patterns include cup sizes from C–F, which vary by style. Fitted styles include:

  • 2.5″ full‑bust ease (to support a smooth fit on a fuller bust)
  • 1″ waist ease
  • 4″ hip ease

Additional design ease may be added depending on the style. To understand the finished garment fit, refer to the body measurements in the chart and add the ease amounts listed above.

⟡ Misses Sizing

Size Chart:
Misses sizes 6-18

The Misses range is drafted for a generous “B” cup.
Size 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Chest 32 33 34.5 36 38 40 43
Bust 34 35 36.5 38 40 42 45
Waist 27 28 29.5 31 33 35 38
Hip 37 38 39.5 41 43 45 48
Back Waist 16.5 16.75 17 17.25 17.5 17.75 18

⟡ Plus Sizing

Size Chart:
Plus sizes 18W-30W

The plus range is drafted with four cup sizes, C – F.
Size* 18W 20W 22W 24W 26W 28W 30W
Chest 39 41 43 45 47 49 51
Full Bust C 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
D 43 45 47 49 51 53 55
E (DD) 44 46 48 50 52 54 56
F (DDD) 45 47 49 51 53 55 57
Waist 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
Hip 47 49 51 53 55 57 59
Back Waist 15.5 15.75 16 16.25 16.5 16.75 17

All sizes, ease allowance: Bust 4”, Waist ½” – Finished Garment Measurements Printed on Pattern

⟡ Metric

Metric Conversion Charts


Misses Size Chart – B Cup Bust

Size* 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
in cm in cm in cm in cm in cm in cm in cm in cm in cm
Chest 30 76 31 79 32 81 33 84 34½ 88 36 91 38 97 40 102 43 109
Bust 32 81 33 84 34 86 35 89 36½ 93 38 97 40 102 42 107 45 114
Waist 25 64 26 66 27 69 28 71 29½ 75 31 79 33 84 35 89 38 97
Hip 35 89 36 91 37 94 38 97 39½ 100 41 104 43 109 45 114 48 122
Back Waist 16 41 16¼ 41 16½ 42 16¾ 43 17 43 17¼ 44 17½ 45 17¾ 45 18 46


Plus Size Chart – C/D/E/F Cup Bust

Size* 18W 20W 22W 24W 26W 28W 30W
in cm in cm in cm in cm in cm in cm in cm
Chest 39 99 41 104 43 109 45 114 47 119 49 124 51 130
Full Bust C 42 107 44 112 46 117 48 122 50 127 52 132 54 137
D 45 114 47 119 49 124 51 130 53 135 55 140 57 145
E (DD) 43 109 45 114 47 119 49 124 51 130 53 135 56 142
F (DDD) 44 112 46 117 48 122 50 127 52 132 54 137 40 102
Waist 38 97 40 102 42 107 44 112 46 117 48 122 50 127
Hip 47 119 49 124 51 130 53 135 55 140 57 145 59 150
Back Waist 15½ 39 15¾ 40 16 41 16¼ 41 16½ 42 16¾ 43 17 43


Fabric Conversion: Yards to Meters

1/8 yd 0.15m 1 1/8 yd 1.05m 2 1/8 yd 1.95m
1/4 yd 0.25m 1 1/4 yd 1.15m 2 1/4 yd 2.10m
3/8 yd 0.35m 1 3/8 yd 1.30m 2 3/8 yd 2.20m
1/2 yd 0.50m 1 1/2 yd 1.40m 2 1/2 yd 2.30m
5/8 yd 0.60m 1 5/8 yd 1.50m 2 5/8 yd 2.40m
3/4 yd 0.70m 1 3/4 yd 1.60m 2 3/4 yd 2.55m
7/8 yd 0.80m 1 7/8 yd 1.75m 2 7/8 yd 2.65m
1 yd 0.95m 2 yd 1.85m 3 yd 2.75m

The grid shows conversions up to 3 yards. For longer lengths, please combine amounts.

2 reviews for Southern Belle Dress Sewing Pattern

  1. Laura Kimmel (verified owner) –

    Ahhh the Southern Belle. “Would you like your tea on the veranda ma’am?” That is what it feels like to wear this dress! It looks like alot. However Laura Nash has worked her magic, and the dress comes together easily. That magnificent skirt. You have a full skirt with enough oomph to sway. I sewed mine in a raspberry for spring/summer and constantly receive compliments.

  2. Sewingmama –

    One cannot help but feel like the “Belle of the Ball” while wearing this stunning dress. It’s stunning and yet shockingly uncomplicated to sew. A beautiful design with so much potential. I absolutely love it!

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