Strapless Prom Dress Patterns in Two Lengths with Variations

Most of these patterns are strapless, many of them with different variations if you don't want strapless, such as one-shoulder, spaghetti strapped and transparent straps or sleeves. I chose patterns that have both short and long hem styles since the short style is becoming more popular. There's also a variety in skirt treatments within some of the same patterns.

I'm also including a website where you can order fabric online. I've had satisfactory results with this website. The colors are pretty good in their photos, the descriptions on what I bought were accurate. They're also available in the store. The website is the online access to Joann's Fabrics. Joann.com offers a wide selection of very nice party and special occasion fabric from taffeta, all kinds of satin; stretch, tie dyed,regular, and charmuse,crinoline, fun animal prints, pretty color on color patterns etc.

I also found a wonderful website that gives access to a wide variety of pattern makers where most of the patterns that I chose are available both by download and by mail.

The patterns I chose come from these particular makers, Kwik Sew, Simplicity, Butterick, McCalls, Vogue, Burda and Neue Mode. I have used most of these patterns at some time or other and in my experience I've found that some of the manufacturers have retooled their sizing. So it's really important to order a size that accommodates a little more allowance just in case you ordered one of those patterns that's cut a bit smaller than expected. The nice thing is that most patterns these days include multiple sizing.

I would also suggest that if you want to make a dress that has elements from more than one pattern, take a good look at both patterns and see if the corresponding areas of your dream dress, where the parts from the two dresses connect, are cut similar enough to to be able to be matched together as one garment. If that be the case, you'll need to order both patterns.

The Pattern Choices Are:

Kwik Sew:

Misses 3448 regular price: $13.99 price: $11.19

This dress pattern has a fitted lined bodice with boned princess seams, a dropped waist with a flared gathered skirt and a center back zipper. It comes in strapless and spaghetti straps with two lengths, knee and long. One version has a bodice in a contrasting fabric. Another version has an attached slip with tulle peeping below the short dress hem.

Suggested fabrics are cotton, cotton types, taffeta, silk, silk types, shantung, satin and linen.

It's available in sizes xs to xl.

The needed yardage for the short dress in M, is 3 1/4 yards in 45" fabric and 1 7/8 yards for the 60" fabric. The long dress requires 6 1/2 yards for the 45" fabric and 4 1/4 yards for the 60" fabric. The lining for the short is 1 7/8 yards and 5/8 yards for 45" fabric.

This dress would look nice with peep toed, high heeled party shoes or strappy high heeled slides with a matching evening purse. Top with a pretty shawl.

This pattern is available both by download or by mail.

Simplicity:

2440 regular price $17.95 price: $5.99

This dress comes in both misses and petite and has three lengths from short to floor length with gathered and full skirt variations. It's also strapless, one-shouldered and spaghetti strapped. Some versions have a midriff and some don't. There are also separate patterns included for b, c and d, cup sizes and special fitting for petites. The bodice is lined and boned.

The recommended fabric is silk, silk types, crepe back satin, satin, taffeta, shantung, charmeuse, brocade, organza, chiffon, georgette and novelty sheer fabrics.

This pattern comes in sizes 4 to 12 and 12 to 20.

The yardage needed for a size 12 short dress in 45" fabric is 3 1/4 yards and 2 1/2 yards for 60" fabric. The long dress needs 4 1/4 yards for the 45" fabric and 3 1/4 yards for the 60" fabric.

This pattern would look nice with strappy high heeled sandals and a matching evening purse. Top it with a pretty shawl.

This particular pattern is available only as a download.

Butterick:

5323 Misses regular price: $16.95 price: $6.99

This lined dress is above the knee or floor length and has a gathered bodice, a draped midriff and back zipper. Two versions have straps and jewel trim on the midriff. One version is strapless, close-fitting with boning at the sides and a flower with a contrasting layer as a corsage.

It's available either by mail or download and comes in sizes 8 to 14 and 16 to 24.

The suggested fabrics are charmeuse, crepe de chine, lightweight crepe and faille. For the contrast flower, tulle is suggested.

The yardage for size 12 in the short version is 1 7/8 yards in the 45" fabric and 1 1/2 yards for the 60" fabric with a 1 1/8 yards lining. For the long dress, the yardage is 3 yards for 60" fabric with a 3 3/4 yard lining.

This dress would look nice with high heeled, peep toed sling backs or strappy high heeled sandals with a matching evening purse. Top with a pretty shawl.

This pattern is available in both download and mail versions.

McCalls:

6029 Misses regular price: $19.95 price: $6.99

This particular choice comes in two lengths, floor and above the knee with a back-zip. It's lined. It comes with four bodice versions. One is strapped with a gathered bodice. Two of the bodices are strapless with a sweetheart neckline and the other is vee with spaghetti straps. There are also four different midriffs all interchangeable with the short or long front gathered short or long skirts which adds to the possible creativity of your personal choice. There's also a fabric flower necktie included in the package along with tips for adding embellishments your dress.

Suggested fabrics are chiffon, faille, lightweight satin, charmeuse, and georgette. For a size 12 the yardage needed for the long dress would be 4 1/3 yards for both 45" and 60" fabric and 3 1/3 yards for 45" or 60" fabric. The lining for the long dress is 3 3/4 yards and for the short dress, 2 1/3 yards for 45" or 60" fabric.

This pattern would look nice with high heeled strappy sandals, peep toed Mary Janes or peep toed party pumps with a matching evening purse. Top with short velvet jacket or a pretty shawl.

It comes in sizes 4 to 12 and 14 to 20. It's available both by download and by mail.

Vogue:

8190 Misses regular price: $25 price: $8.99

This dress has only a strapless version which is lined, fitted and has built-in foundation with boning. The two lengths are mid-calf or floor length with front and back gathers and three different hem flounce variations and a back zipper. This dress is commonly known as a mermaid dress.

The patterns come in two sizes, 8-12 and 14-18.

The suggested fabrics are peau de soie, taffeta, dupoioni silk, organza, lace, and tulle for one of the flounce choices.

The required yardage amounts are all for size 12. In the short version, the yardage is 4 3/4 yards for 45", and 3 3/4 yards for 60". In the long version, it's 10 yards at 60" and 4 3/4 for the lining.

The website doesn't specify how this is available. But it is available and does load into the shopping cart.

This item would look nice with a pair of high heeled peep toed strappy party shoes or a pair of party pumps and a matching evening purse. Top it with a lacy shawl.

Burda:

7698 Misses regular price: $11.95 price: $7.17

This is the one pattern that doesn't actually have a strapless version. It's a fitted a-line evening dress with an empire, draped bodice with very thin spaghetti straps. It comes in long or short lengths and is available in sizes 6 to 16.

The recommended fabrics are crepe satin, georgette and rayon.

The fabric allowance for the size 12 in the short dress and lining is 1 3/4 at 60" fabric for each. The long dress and lining needs 2 3/4 at 60" fabric for each.

This is available both as a download and by mail.

This dress would look nice with a pair of strappy high heeled sandals and a matching evening purse. Top with a pretty shawl.

Neue Mode:

23133 Misses regular price: $12.95 price: $8.99

This princess seamed, fully lined evening dress comes in two lengths with three options; strapless, spaghetti straps and gathered shoulder cap sleeves. This pattern is available in sizes 8 to 18. The yardage requirements for size 12 is 4 3/4 yards at 45" fabric and for the long version, 3 yards at 55 or 60" fabric and 2 1/8 yards for either 45" or 55"/60" fabric. The lining would also have the same yardage for the 45" fabric.

The suggested fabrics are silk or taffeta.

This is a timeless style that would look good with a pair of high heeled party pumps that match the fabric, such as high strapped Mary Janes, or simple open sided pumps along with an evening purse. If the weather is cool, top it with short velvet jacket or lacy shawl.

You can choose to receive this pattern by mail and by download. Although, you do need to download the directions, since they're only available online.

Additional Reading:

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Sources:

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/category.jsp?subCatName=apparel fabric&_DARGS=/joann/catalog/category.jsp.bottom_resultsnav

http://www.sewingpatterns.com/subpage.php?brand=Kwik Sew

http://www.sewingpatterns.com/subpage.php?brand=Simplicity Download&d=1

http://www.sewingpatterns.com/subpage.php?brand=Butterick

http://www.sewingpatterns.com/subpage.php?brand=McCalls

http://www.sewingpatterns.com/subpage.php?brand=Vogue

http://www.sewingpatterns.com/subpage.php?brand=Burda

http://www.sewingpatterns.com/subpage.php?brand=Neue Mode