Yoke

A yoke is a shaped pattern piece which forms part of a garment, usually fitting
around the neck and shoulders, or around the hips to provide support for looser
parts of the garment, such as a gathered skirt or the body of a shirt. Yoke
construction was first seen in the 19th century. Bodice yokes were first seen in
the 1880s, whilst the yoke skirt, a skirt suspended from a fitted hip yoke, was
first seen in 1898.
Categories At its broadest, clothing terminology may be said to include names
for: Classes of basic garments: shirt, coat, skirt, dress, suit, underwear, swimsuit
Length, for skirts and dresses: micro-mini, mini, tea length, ballerina length, full
length, midi, maxi Contemporary and historical styles of garments: ...

Bow Yoke Peasant Blouse

Man's Western shirt showing Yoked bodice has three-
a shoulder yoke with applied quarter sleeves in one with
decoration. bodice back and front
yoke. 1960

Fitted Bodice with

cap sleeves,
scalloped yoke and
button trim. Flared
Skirt has scalloped
seam details with
button trim as
well, self fabric
belt.
Design of the fabric:

The form of the yoke should go along with the fabric design. For fabric designs such as large
checks or stripes, yokes with round or curved shapes are not well suited. Instead, straight line
yokes are more appropriate. Floral designs or curved line fabric will go in harmony with round or
curved yokes.
Gold & Black Diagonal Striped Yoke
Purpose and use of the garment:

Yokes find best utility in school uniforms and home-wear apparel. For party wear garments,
innovative and fancy yoke designs like scalloped, asymmetrical shapes, etc. with contrasting
material and decorative edging can be implemented.
Variety in shape and size:

A yoke can be designed with a number of shapes like square, round, straight line,
scalloped, triangular and asymmetrical. The width and depth of the yoke can be
changed to produce desired effects. The yoke with a panel has a part of the yoke
stretching out to the full length of the garment. Whereas in a partial yoke, the yoke may
extend into the sleeve or it may extend for a certain part of the garment. show the yoke
with a panel and without a panel for a frock.

Yoke with panel Yoke without panel

Variety in material and grain:
For garments with light shades, yokes with contrasting colours are used and
vice versa. Likewise, yokes with prints can be attached to plain garments or
vice versa to provide a good appearance. With respect to grain, the yoke is cut
in an inclined direction to the lengthwise grain while the garment is along the
lengthwise grain.

Designing seam line of yoke:

The yoke attachment to the main panel of the garment can
be carried out in a decorative manner by inserting ruffles,
lace, faggoting, decorative stitches or top stitches with
contrasting coloured threads.
 fagoting stitch

fagoting stitch
Decoration within the yoke:

Additionally, the yoke can be beaded, quilted, embroidered, shirred, smocked, tucked or pleated
to enhance the appearance.

Introducing the yoke at different positions:

Basically, the yoke can be introduced in three positions: at the top of the garment (shoulder
yoke), above the waistline (midriff yoke) or below the waist line (hip yoke).

Designing yokes which release fullness in various forms:

The fullness in the body of the garment can be released in the form of gathers, pleats and tucks
originating from the edge of the yoke.
1880s Dress

This pretty Victorian decorative

yoke is crocheted from lilac
purple cotton and features a
diamond pattern with scalloped
edging. A lilac ribbon runs
through the bottom and ties for
closure. Wear atop a corset or
plain items to jazz them up! This
yoke is in great vintage condition,
the ribbon shows wear but no
holes, stains, or odors to note.
One piece summer gown/dress of weight white linen trimmed in heavy braided soutache and
trimmed in Irish crochet lace with flower and trefoil motifs at yoke, neck and cuffs.

White Linen Summer Dress , 1910

The dress, with front pleats has front
zipper, "V" shaped neckline, front
yoke, set-in sleeves, contrasting
sailor-type collar, braid trim and
ribbon bow.
Beaded Neckline Applique /Beads for
Bodice Collar Neck Yoke Motif on tulle
fabric .
Active wear with fagoting
stitch
Geometric V shaped seam detail at sleeves, hip
yoke and bodice. Tapered silhouette with kick
pleat skirt, option of short puff sleeves or long
sleeves. Asymmetric collar in two variations,
either finished with a pointed collar or knot tie.
Bodice caught up at center front in shirred drape, covered by
button-trimmed tab. Midriff section of bodice tapers up to point at
center-front. Flared skirt gathered to V-shaped yoke in front . . .
three-panel back. Body and brief sleeve in one. Side zipper, self or
novelty belt.
This is a very unusual
piece of women's
clothing. It is a collar,
or yoke, buttoning at
the base of the neck,
but with open edges,
so essentially sits
loosely over the
shoulders, (no
armholes) and
fastens at the neck.
Wrap Yoke Skirt
Illusion Yoke Top