Pauline Dress Pattern
Pauline is a true statement dress; dramatic, romantic and loaded with special details. Create truly distinct looks by mixing and matching sleeves and skirt styles to make the Pauline of your dreams.
View A is chic, sleeveless sheath with a straight skirt that hits just above the knee. View B features a striking puff sleeve in two lengths and a midi-length tiered skirt. All views feature a unique bodice design that incorporates knife pleats at the waist, a face-framing square neckline and a keyhole opening in the back bodice tied at the nape of the neck. Pauline can be made unlined or fully lined and is closed with an invisible zipper at center back.
Sizes: 0-20 (print and PDF) and 14-32 (PDF)
Recommended fabric:
- This pattern can be made with a variety of fabrics depending on the desired effect. For a more structured shape, use light to medium weight wovens such as linen, poplin, seersucker, broadcloth, sateen, chambray, or cotton shirtings. For a softer effect, use rayon challis, viscose, tencel, cotton voile or silk.
- Optional lining: choose lightweight fabrics such as viscose, bemberg, silk, lawn, voile or batiste.
See our guide to printing & assembling PDF files here.
View all sewing tutorials, videos and blog posts about this pattern here.
Customer Reviews
This is the first dress I ever made, and the pattern and instructions, while complicated, was clear and easy to follow. I modified the pattern by elongating the waist by 1 inch, I made view B with the short sleeves.
Pauline was such a joy to sew! Initially I had issues accessing the pattern after purchase and customer service was extremely quick in their response to resolve. The instructions are clear, step-by-step, and include accurate illustrations. I used cotton shirting for a more structured look and adjusted the back for a much wider bow. I am excited to make another dress in a fancier fabric! I believe a determined beginner would be able to accomplish this pattern after making a mock up.
I absolutely love how detailed Closet Core Patterns are. Very easy to work with.
Quick delivery
I combined the Pauline top with a Cashmerette Upton skirt to make my teenager a custom performance dress for string quartet and a performance gown for a gala concert. Both turned out wonderfully. They are generally hard to fit but this one fit immediately with no pattern adjustments. It was comfortable for them to wear and play viola and violin in. A definite win!