Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 4416
$23.00
This Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Sewing Pattern recreates Butterick 4416 from 1900, featuring a Gibson-style bodice, gored skirt, and leg-o’-mutton sleeves. Includes 3 historical design variations. For Bust 35″ only. Printed on 36″ wide paper with detailed instructions.
An outlet allowance of 7/8″, for alteration is allowed on shoulder and under-arm seam edges and side edges of the leg-o’-mutton. 3/8″ is allowed on all other edges for seams and finishing.
999 in stock
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On all US Orders over $50!
Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 4416
$23.00
This Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Sewing Pattern recreates Butterick 4416 from 1900, featuring a Gibson-style bodice, gored skirt, and leg-o’-mutton sleeves. Includes 3 historical design variations. For Bust 35″ only. Printed on 36″ wide paper with detailed instructions.
An outlet allowance of 7/8″, for alteration is allowed on shoulder and under-arm seam edges and side edges of the leg-o’-mutton. 3/8″ is allowed on all other edges for seams and finishing.
999 in stock
Get Free Shipping
On all US Orders over $50!
All of our patterns tell a story.
Why Choose This Pattern?
Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Sewing Pattern
This Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Sewing Pattern is a faithful reproduction of Butterick Pattern 4416, originally advertised in the October 1900 issue of Delineator Magazine (pages 475–476). Designed for young women and small misses, this style blends turn-of-the-century elegance with functional garment construction for the home dressmaker.
Historical Context
The Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Sewing Pattern captures a transitional moment in Edwardian fashion. The original Butterick description read:
“Misses’ or Small Women’s Semi-Princess Dress: consisting of a shirt-waist in Gibson style, with narrow Dutch collar or square Dutch neck; leg-o'-mutton or shirt-waist sleeves in full or shorter length; and a six-gored attached skirt with an inverted plait or habit style at the back, with or without a bias trimming band.”
In its magazine feature, this design was highlighted as “picturesque Empire” in silhouette with “a short, full body and a gored skirt that is stylishly full.” Suggestions included pale-blue crepe de Chine with white chiffon or crimson Lansdowne trimmed with matching velvet ribbon. Fabrics such as voile, point d’esprit, soft silk, cashmere, and nun’s veiling were all considered appropriate, often adorned with lace frills or appliqué.
Available Views & Variations
This Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Sewing Pattern includes three design variations:
- Gibson-style bodice with a narrow Dutch collar
- Square Dutch neckline option with sectional bertha
- Two sleeve options: one-seam leg-o’-mutton or shirt-waist sleeves
The original design offered flexibility in neckline, sleeve, and skirt finish—each suitable for seasonal wear or formal occasions.
Sizing Information
This pattern is available in only one original size: Bust 35" (approximate size for an 18-year-old woman of the era).
Experienced sewists can adapt the pattern using our free resizing guide: Resizing Vintage Patterns.
Pattern Details
- 15 pattern pieces included
- Seam allowances: 7/8" at shoulder/underarm/side seams, 3/8" elsewhere
- Fabric required: 5⅜ yards of 36" wide material
- Recommended fabrics: crepe de Chine, voile, point d’esprit, nun’s veiling, cashmere, silk
What You Receive
The printed pattern includes:
- High-resolution copies of the original 1900 Butterick envelope and artwork
- Fabric layout charts and yardage requirements
- 1 pages of written construction instructions based on the original format (note: included is pattern piece identification chart)
- Historical notes on the paper pattern industry and a Past Patterns fitting guide
Patterns are hand-traced from the originals and printed on sturdy 36-inch-wide white bond paper. All materials arrive packaged in a reusable plastic envelope.
Difficulty Rating
3.5 / 5 – Intermediate to Advanced
This pattern is best suited for intermediate sewists familiar with Edwardian-era construction techniques. The lack of visual assembly diagrams and single-size format may require extra preparation. Skills required include setting puffed sleeves, handling delicate fabrics like chiffon, and modifying necklines and bertha overlays for different views.
Also Available as a Download
Prefer a digital version? View the downloadable format here:
Early 1900s Semi-Princess Dress Downloads
Copyright Past Patterns 1979–2025. All rights reserved.
Additional information
| Weight | 9 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 × 10 × 2 in |
Sizing Information
(Metric size sheet opens as a PDF in a new browser tab)
Preferred Vendors
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Visit our preferred vendors page to order directly from some of our top recommended suppliers.
FAQ's
(Frequently asked questions)
Why are both Trowsers and Trousers listed on site?
Over the last 200 years, much like the human body, our style of language has changed. For vintage patterns, we attempt to use the language of the day where possible.
Can you grade (edit) a Vintage Revival pattern for my size?
please contact us with the specific pattern number and the specifications you require. We have staff available for this for an additional fee.
What sizes do Past Patterns patterns come in?
Our patterns, with some exceptions, are manufactured in sizes 8 through 26 for women and sizes 34 through 54 for men. Most patterns are multi-sized. For a complete listing of measurements in inches see the size chart.
Do you have vintage patterns (manufactured prior to 1950) that you want to sell?
we are always on the lookout for original, American designed, vintage patterns especially for categories outside of current items. We are interested if you have 1 pattern or 1000 patterns. Give us a call to discuss.
Why is my pattern size different from my off the rack dress size?
We use the U. S. Board of Standard Measurements to size our patterns. The ready made clothing manufacturers have their own set of sizes developed from their own statistics. For a complete listing of measurements in inches see the size chart.
How are the patterns packaged?
We package our patterns in two forms: Bond Paper and Tissue. Except for the Tissue patterns, each is slipped into a reusable plastic sleeve. Many contain documentation in the form of Historical Notes or the printer ie., Butterick. Because the patterns are printed in house to order, they can take from three to seven days. Tissue patterns, which are printed out of house, are available to ship immediately.
What does a Corset Kit contain in addition to the Corset pattern?
In addition to the pattern, the kits contain everything you need to make the corset except the thread. The kits contain, according to their type, fabric and lining, stays, clasp or busk board, back lacing, tape for finishing the edges, trim lace, ribbon, leather, tin stock, waist tape, punch and setter, eyelets, marking pencils, cording, reed and a loop turner.
Need a pattern in your language?
we can translate our instructions into just about any language
Have an old and incomplete Past Patterns item. What can I do?
The answer depends on if the pattern is still in production or not. If it is, please mail us the old pattern and we will ship you a copy of the latest pattern for a minimal fee along with normal shipping charges. If the item is no longer in production, we would need to know exactly what you have to determine the best course of action to help you.
What is the difference between a Past Patterns original pattern and a Vintage Revival pattern?
The Past Patterns originals were designed in house and based upon the research, disassembly and time of Saundra Ros Altman. These designs come from finds all over the United States reaching from San Diego, California to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. She created the initial patterns, the sizing charts and the instruction content. Many of the these patterns are multi-sized or are available in various sizes. For the most part, these designs are done taking into account the modern human body's shape, height and weight. The Vintage Revival patterns are traces or copies of an old, mass produced pattern; the first mass produced patterns came out in the 1850s. For the most part, you get exactly what came in the original package; in some cases, Saundra has appended historical notes to the instructions. The Vintage Revivals patterns, being copies of the originals, generally only come in one size and are based upon the size and shape of the human body from the era the pattern came from.
What software do you use to create patterns?
We utilize PW Studio for our designs. Isabelle Lott, a contributor over the years to Past Patterns, is the owner of the company and will be happy to answer an software related questions you have. Her software is available for licensing.
What measurements do I need to know to order a Corset Kit?
The bust and back length. The back length is measured from the prominent bone at the base of the neck to the natural waistline.
Where can I see the appropriate clothing fabrics for the 18th and 19th centuries?
You can see 1740 through 1940 fabrics in a book titled "Textile Designs" by Susan Meller and Joost Elffers. The subtitle states, "Two Hundred Years of European and American Patterns for Printed Fabric by Motif, Style, Color, Layout and Period and 1,823 Illustration in Color." What they don't say is that 90% of the swatches pictured are life size. The ISBN is 0-8109-3853-7. A second book is Wearable Prints, 1740-1860, History, Materials, and Mechanics by Susan W. Greene. The ISBN is 978-1-60635-124-6. Great books! Order it from your local library that has interlibrary loan capability if you cannot afford the price. There are now many sources for appropriate fabric through the Internet.
Where can I find antique patterns to purchase?
On the Internet try: "Patterns from the Past."
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we do offer expedited domestic shipping for extra fees. We can also expeditie international shipments but delivery dates overseas cannot be promised.
Becoming a Wholesalers of our patterns
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Why don't we sell PDFs of our patterns - First due to piracy. We have spent over 40 years creating and tracing these patterns along with researching them. We print and ship all of our patterns ourselves. If we started sending out PDFs, in no time, copies of our Intellectual Property would be all over the internet and we would be out of business. Second, some of our patterns are constantly being updated. We want our clients to get the BEST POSSIBLE version of our products.
