Cheongsam or other Chinese patterns?

I have not found any good patterns for cheongsam or qi pao.

But I have found some moderately crummy patterns--the link was broken, but the thumbnail still existed. It was awfully fuzzy when I enlarged it.

The cheongsam is a basic torso and straight-skirt block with horizontal bust darts, and vertical waist darts in front & back.

The opening is from the right side of the neck slanted down (designs vary) towards the right armpit, and down what would be the side seam under the right arm.

I'm not sure if there is any right side seam, or if it just buttons down to the slit.


If you wish a looser outfit, you can start with the top and pants collected by Max Tilke, which you may find here: http://www.indiana.edu/~librcsd/etext/tilke/p4.html, Plates 123 & 125.
This one I've sewn; my Hound wears a variation of this outfit.


Ann in CT

 

You could also use human sized patterns and just scale them down. It can be a little difficult, but the end result is always good. The pattern itself is easy so you shouldn't have too much trouble

 

Here's a few tutorials/ patterns for Qipao/ Cheongsams

http://www.geocities.com/rcllair/qipao/
http://web.archive.org/web/20031202032722/http://asia-fashion.de/qipao/index.html

We have a pattern on the DollfieDream Yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dollfiedream/
You have to join to access it, but we're OK with people joining for the patterns. Just make sure to write something about the patterns when you sign up to join the group, so I'll know you're not a spammer
The qipao pattern is at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dollfiedream/files/DD sewing patterns/
under Serenity's Patterns
Susan

 

There are two ways to make this. One is the Real way, which has the opening in the front. The other is the Cheater (B@rbie) Way.
For that one, you make the dress open in the back. For the front opening you can either lay a ribbon down to imitate the opening, or actually cut the fabric and sew it shut to get the hem. This is easier, much easier, for smaller dolls, but on larger dolls shows.

 

As of October 2025, the archive.org link is still active and contains patterns for a "newer" qipao pattern with darts and inset sleeves. I'm offering a link to a 1920s qipao top. There's no pattern, but a diagram on how to draft your own, using fabric folded into quarters. The sleeves are cut in one with the body, and there doens't seem to be a pattern for the separate collar.

1920s Qipao Top — Laurence Wen-Yu Li