In Search of Style & Scraps from the Past: A Dress Sewn from a Sears Catalog Pattern

It's the early 1940s, and where would you shop for a "Superior" pattern for an afternoon dress & bolero, as well as the fabric? Why, the Sears Roebuck catalog, of course! Today's finds were in a pattern from the early 1940s, and included both the catalog page that illustrates the pattern, and scraps of fabric from the resulting sewing project!

First, here is the pattern:

"Shop at Sears for Fashion-Right Fabrics and Patterns"

In Search of Style 

And here is the page from the Sears, Roebuck & Co catalog that was tucked in the pattern:

Note that the ensemble on the model is the very same pattern! And fabric at only 49 cents a yard! Which fabric swatch do you like? I actually like blue print that is on the model, though all the patterns are pretty. :)

Here is a close-up from the pattern instructions. Note the "peek-a-boo" breast pockets on the bolero:

Scraps from the Past

Also inserted in the pattern were these lovely rayon scraps (yes, rayon!). I can so visualize this ensemble in this wonderful floral pattern on a soft taupe-brown.

I'd say it is inspiring fashion from the 1940s and Sears!

1950s Paris Fashion: Dior Dress & Jacket, American-Style

From the Fall 1955 collection, this is a sketch of Dior's back-buttoned camisole dress of tawny wool, with a panel flying free from the skirt, and a cropped jacket with back fullness.

Here is Dior's dress, as envisioned by American dress manufacturers, adapted for the evening in metal-shot moire, and incorporat9ng the panel into the skirt. A very fitted jacket is substituted for the loose one. In one word? Dreamy.

 Featured in Woman's Home Companion, October 1955 edition.

Originator Sketch - Bows and Cut-Aways

This is a great concept, and one that I see from time to time in vintage patterns from other decades. A jacket has the hemline or neckline cut-away so that the garment underneath (skirt, blouse, or dress) is exposed, with a bow or other detail that appears to be one with the outer garment. It always adds chic sophistication.

I love those extra deep, wide cuffs on the bolero. And while both skirts are cute, I love the one on the left, with its shaped high waist above the bow. Fabulous!

Mid 1950s - Sheath and Matching Jacket are a Study in Gray

Mmmmm - she looks pleased, and who wouldn't in this fine gray sheath with a matching cute short jacket? I love that little belt closing in the front.

Note the notched cuffs on the fitted jacket - the small details can add such class. :)

In Search of Style: A Dreamy Formal Gown

Prom dresses are in the fashion news right now, so I think this is a great time to post this clipping I found in a pattern that I listed in my shop this week.

Here is what our later 1940s seamstress was looking for, a tremendously dreamy, gorgeous gown. Note the details:

• Full skirt topped with a froth of net
• Snug strapless top with contoured princess seams and front button closing
• A mere shrug over the shoulders with deep cuffs

Here is the pattern that it was tucked into, Butterick 4872 from 1949. It comes amazingly close, don't you think? Check the details and compare:

• Very full skirt is separate from the top. 
• Top is dart-fitted and strapless, with front button closing
• Very cropped bolero that borders on being a shrug, with deep wing cuffs

 

 

Also tucked in the pattern was a special bonus - two receipts! One for 5 yards of net (she definitely wanted that luscious, gauzy froth), and the other for two spools of thread.

 

On the reverse side of the dress clipping is this rather stunning weskit-styled top, with fabulous lacy-crocheted wing collar, matching lacy-crocheted points at the waistline, and 3/4 length sleeves with beautiful wing cuffs. Totally spell-binding style.

 

Early 1950s "Costume Suits" - So Elegant and Chic

Crisp points add flair to these costume suits from 1951. What makes a women's suit a "costume" suit? Primarily, the costume suit is high style - more feminine and dressy than the traditional man-tailored two-piece suit. It can be worn wherever a dress can be worn, yet is suit-worthy for occasions that call for a more business-like appearance.

In both costume suits illustrated below, wing points at collars and cuffs are eye-catching and provide sharp style over a slim sheath. The tunic-length topper & dress ensemble is a fabulous fitted look, while the cropped jacket  with a slim skirt is closer to a traditional suit but has bolder, more dramatic flair.

 

These costume suits provide simply superb 1950s style. And note the hat choices for each suit - they're perfect. :)

Two Versions of Special Style from 1940 - Jacket with Shortened Sleeves to Show Off Blouse

In 1940, patterns appeared which featured a jacket in 3/4 length with wide hems above a full puffy sleeve. It must have been a new and popular style!

One variation is found here in Simplicity 3406 from 1940. The jacket is cropped, bolero-style, and the blouse is classically structured, with beautiful and feminine frills on both long and short puffy sleeves. The skirt has many gores for wonderful flare:

In contrast, another variation from Vogue in 1940 has a longer, more tailored jacket (with an option for traditional long sleeves), but still with those signature 3/4 sleeves, and a simpler, no-frills blouse with puffy sleeves (long and short). The skirt is similarly simpler, with fine flare and straight princess seams.

 

Each version has a lot going for it - I like them both, but for different reasons. Do you have a favorite?

Exquisite 1930s Bridal Gown

Isn't this simply exquisite? Worthy of Ginger Rogers, Claudette Colbert, and Jean Harlow (to name a few of the movie stars of the 1930s), this wedding gown from 1938 and McCall is totally gorgeous.

The sleeveless gown has a dramatic V-back, soft surplice front, snug midriff that drops below the natural waistline, dramatic cathedral train, and is topped with a lined, fitted cropped jacket trimmed with crisp dainty pleating.

All I can do is dream and sigh.

Before and After Hit Parade - 1960s Mad Men Sheath is Superb

The Seamstress: Elisabeth

The Pattern: McCall's 5507- Misses' Dress and Jacket

The Result: I am overdue to report on this great pattern, a classic slim sheath and cropped jacket straight from 1960 and the Mad Men era. In 2011, Elisabeth sewed this as part of a self-challenge to sew a vintage pattern per month. " It did not work out as I thought, but all in all I did sew 13 vintage garments (but not one each month)."
 

I think Elisabeth does an amazing job in her choice of pattern, fabric, accessories, staging backdrop for her photos, and how she poses for all of her vintage sewing creations. She is a fabulous model! Check out her vintage challenge on her blog and on Flickr. Be sure to check her blog regularly for her adventures in sewing and just having fun with life: Sewing Fairytales.

Fashion from January 1951: Around-the-Clock Delicious Fashion

All day and evening too - it's round-the-clock fashion from January 1951 and McCall! And these lovely sundresses with jackets have superb style. Gosh, I wish had these gorgeous patterns!

 McCall 8345

The sleeveless topless dress with its own jacket is in for another big season. The dress that can go anywhere at all with propriety as long as one keeps the jacket on. The dress - jacketless - that can be a short evening gown or a bare-top sports dress, depending only on the fabric used. Fitted heart-shape bodice, 4-panel flared skirt, simple bolero. Sizes 12-20. 50 cents.
 

 McCall 8346

This around-the-clock ensemble is an investment, paying dividends in good looks. You can wear it for daytime, for afternoon and, without the jacket, for evening. In the south, it is both a street costume and a play dress. Note the jacket - cape-like. Note the dress - buttoned over at the side, with soft pleats centered at the back. Sizes 12-20. $1.00.