Early 1900s Nine-Gored Skirt Sewing Pattern: Historical Elegance for Modern Seamstresses

This Early 1900s Nine-Gored Skirt Sewing Pattern meticulously reproduces Butterick pattern #1313, offering historical dressmakers the opportunity to create a beautifully flared skirt with period-correct construction techniques. Originally patented in 1898-1899 across Great Britain, the United States, and Canada, this timeless design captures the elegant silhouette that characterized the transition from Victorian to Edwardian fashion.

The historical skirt pattern was prominently advertised in the August 1907 issue of The Delineator, where it was described as having "a smooth adjustment at the top, but a smart flare adds grace to the lower part of the skirt...an inverted plait is arranged at back, and provision is made for the skirt to have a medium sweep or to be in clearing or shorter length." This versatile design allows you to create three distinct variations according to your preference and historical accuracy needs.

Historical Features and Construction Techniques

The Early 1900s Nine-Gored Skirt Sewing Pattern showcases several distinctive construction elements that defined women's fashion at the turn of the century:

• Nine-gored construction creating a smooth fit at the waist with graceful flare below
• Inverted box-plait at the center back with placket opening
• Options for medium sweep, clearing length, or shorter length
• Period-correct 3/8" seam allowances throughout
• Designed for the proportions of an early 1900s figure

Women's fashion during this era was undergoing significant transformation. This historical design represents the shifting silhouette from the heavily structured Victorian styles toward the more fluid lines that would dominate the Edwardian period. This particular style offered a practical yet elegant option for daily wear while maintaining the graceful movement characteristic of the era.

Pattern Specifications and Technical Details

This Early 1900s Nine-Gored Skirt Sewing Pattern has been carefully reproduced to maintain historical accuracy while providing clear, usable instructions for today's seamstress:

• Sizing: Designed for a 22" waist and 39" hip measurement (visit our resizing guide for adaptation techniques)
• Pattern Pieces: Complete set of 6 pattern pieces
• Seam Allowance: Period-correct 3/8" included on all pattern pieces
• Skill Level: Intermediate - suitable for sewists with basic garment construction knowledge
• Materials Required: 3 7/8 yards of 44" wide fabric

Creating your own historical garment provides an excellent opportunity to practice traditional sewing techniques. The multiple gores require precision in cutting and assembly, while the inverted box-plait demonstrates period-appropriate methods for creating fullness and movement. These construction elements offer valuable insights into the craftsmanship of early 20th-century dressmaking.

Recommended Fabrics for Historical Accuracy

Our founder and fashion historian Saundra Altman notes that skirts from this period were typically crafted from:

• Alpaca, mohair, or wool for cooler weather
• Lawn, chiffon, or muslin for warmer seasons
• Velvet or silk for formal occasions
• Traditionally made in darker shades of blue, green, red, brown, gray, and black

Modern equivalents like medium-weight cotton, linen, or wool blends can also achieve beautiful results while being more accessible to today's sewist. The drape and weight of your chosen fabric will significantly impact the final appearance of your historical garment, with heavier fabrics providing more structure and lighter materials creating a more flowing effect.

What You'll Receive in Your Pattern Package

Each Early 1900s Nine-Gored Skirt Sewing Pattern package includes:

• Front cover featuring original artwork and sizing chart
• Back cover with comprehensive fabric requirements
• Instruction booklet with detailed directions and historical notes on the paper pattern industry
• 6 hand-drawn, computer-printed pattern pieces on a 36" wide sheet, emulating the originals
• All materials printed on quality 20 lb. white paper
• Packaged in a reusable plastic sleeve for protection and storage

At Past Patterns, we pride ourselves on offering reasonable shipping rates for both domestic and international orders. Multi-item purchases are automatically adjusted for combined shipping to provide you with the best value.

Historical Context of Edwardian Fashion

The turn of the century was a period of remarkable social and cultural transformation, reflected in the evolving fashions of the day. These historical garments emerged during a time when women's roles were beginning to expand beyond the domestic sphere. While still maintaining elements of formality, the skirts offered greater freedom of movement than their Victorian predecessors, reflecting women's increasing participation in activities outside the home.

Butterick, as one of the pioneering pattern companies, played a significant role in democratizing fashion by making current styles accessible to home sewists. This particular Early 1900s Nine-Gored Skirt Sewing Pattern represents not only the aesthetic preferences of the era but also the growing accessibility of fashion to women across different social classes.

Prefer a digital download? Get this pattern in our downloadable format here.

Experience the Elegance of Edwardian Fashion

The Early 1900s Nine-Gored Skirt Sewing Pattern allows you to recreate the graceful silhouettes that defined women's fashion at the dawn of the 20th century. Whether you're a historical costumer, theatrical designer, or vintage fashion enthusiast, this meticulously reproduced pattern provides everything you need to create a historically informed garment with the distinctive flair of the Edwardian era.

By working with this Early 1900s Nine-Gored Skirt Sewing Pattern, you're not only creating a beautiful garment but also participating in the preservation and appreciation of historical dressmaking traditions. Each stitch connects you to the seamstresses of the past, allowing their techniques and aesthetic sensibilities to continue inspiring creators in the present day.

Original Content by Past Patterns 1979-2025. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: This pattern is a historically accurate reproduction of an original Butterick pattern first published in the late 19th or early 20th century. The original design is now in the public domain. Past Patterns is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by Butterick, which is currently a trademark of CSS Industries and/or its parent company. All references to “Butterick” are made solely for historical and descriptive purposes to acknowledge the source and era of the original publication.