I just completed my first me made dirndl for our local Oktoberfest. I found a Laura Ashley Cotton/linen Home Dec fabric on the clearance racks at my local Joann’s and it worked beautifully! I flat lined it with cotton duck and used satin blanket binding to make a faced hem for the skirt. My embellishments were piping for the neckline and armholes, and then I added hand sewn frogmouth ribbon trim. I’m still looking for my ‘perfect’ pattern, as this one was a frankenpattern of Burda 7443 and FolkWear Austrian Dirndl with many many modifications. I used a Youtube tutorial to sew the skirt, as I wanted pleats but couldn’t understand the Burda (non)directions. I really want to make another dirndl for the holidays., and use a lace for the apron.

There’s some lovely dirndl designs out there with more modest hem lines and necklines and less “Oktoberfest” styles. I love that dirndls can span all ages!

Yay! And that’s a great idea, too, with the home dec fabrics.