Home Folk Patterns 122 Hong Kong Cheongsam
Black and white pen and ink drawing by Gretchen Shields. Two women standing side by side at waterfront with boats and city skyline in the background. Woman on the left wears a knee length Cheongsam and woman on right wears the ankle length view.
Asian woman wearing a gold brocade knee-length cheogsam walking down stone steps outside.
122 Hong Kong Cheongsam
Asian woman wearing a gold brocade knee-length cheogsam, standing sideways in front of a white background.
Asian woman wearing a gold brocade knee-length cheogsam - back view in front of a white back ground..
122 Hong Kong Cheongsam
Woman wearing a white cheongsam standing on a porch.
Woman wearing a white cheongsam standing in front of a white background.
Woman wearing a white cheongsam - back view with white background.
Photo of woman in ankle length 122 Hong Kong Cheongsam. Fabric is a quilted shinny light green with ornate metallic frog closures.
Close up view of neck line and front closure of 122 Hong Kong Cheongsam.
Photo of back view of 122. Modification has left off the mandarin collar.
Photo if woman in modified 122. Neckline is without mandarin collar and front closure is without decorative frogs.
Black and white pen and ink drawing by Gretchen Shields. Two women standing side by side at waterfront with boats and city skyline in the background. Woman on the left wears a knee length Cheongsam and woman on right wears the ankle length view.
Asian woman wearing a gold brocade knee-length cheogsam walking down stone steps outside.
122 Hong Kong Cheongsam
Asian woman wearing a gold brocade knee-length cheogsam, standing sideways in front of a white background.
Asian woman wearing a gold brocade knee-length cheogsam - back view in front of a white back ground..
122 Hong Kong Cheongsam
Woman wearing a white cheongsam standing on a porch.
Woman wearing a white cheongsam standing in front of a white background.
Woman wearing a white cheongsam - back view with white background.
Photo of woman in ankle length 122 Hong Kong Cheongsam. Fabric is a quilted shinny light green with ornate metallic frog closures.
Close up view of neck line and front closure of 122 Hong Kong Cheongsam.
Photo of back view of 122. Modification has left off the mandarin collar.
Photo if woman in modified 122. Neckline is without mandarin collar and front closure is without decorative frogs.

122 Hong Kong Cheongsam

$22.95

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Sizes: Extra Small to 3X Large

The Cheongsam (Cantonese for "Long Dress”) is an early 20th century variant of the Chinese Qipao, a hip-length shirt or tunic. The Cheongsam was first seen on celebrities and socialites as a way of modernizing this traditional garment. In 1929 the Cheongsam was chosen by the Chinese government as one of the National Dresses of China. 

Our Cheongsam sewing pattern is simple, slender, and close-fitting.  The dress draws the eye immediately to the classic fit, fabric, and finishing details.  The construction is basic, with only two main pattern pieces. Cut without shoulder seams, the back and sleeves wrap over the shoulders. The curve of the front piece opens on the right side and fastens with frogs and a side zipper.

The dress fits closely in the bust and hips, while skimming over the waist, and tapers to a slightly curved hemline. Side slits provide ease of movement. The dress is offered full-length and in a contemporary just-below-the-knee length.

Pattern also includes instructions for custom fitting, and for a traditional bias-bound version, as well as instructions for making your own frog closures.

Suggested fabrics: Light to medium-weight silk; lightweight brocade and jacquard weaves; satin; rayon or blends.

Yardage chart (.pdf)
Note: the yardage chart on the paper pattern has incorrect yardages for bias binding for the bound version.  See chart linked here (and above) for correct yardage for bias binding.

This pattern is available as a Paper pattern and PDF pattern.  Choose the pattern format you want in the drop down menu.  The PDF pattern has files for copy shop (36” and A0), print at home (A4 and 8.5”x11”), as well separate instructions for bias bound and unbound version, and a lore/authentic detailing file.

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