Pattern Patter : sundress patterns

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Looks from McCall's Fashion Digest, May 1960

Hello everyone!

Here's just a little idea I had to share some pattern mini-catalogs from years past. These cute collectibles often contain illustrations and photographs that weren't seen anywhere else. They are great for seeing what was up-to-the minute in fashion.

Today, we'll look at a McCall's catalog from May of 1960, to celebrate the coming summer. Breezy and cool dresses are just perfect for the warm weather. Let's see what we can make! :)

On the cover, we have a breezy summer sundress that's oh-so-sweet!

McCall's 5415, available at these Pattern Patter Team Shops.
The Pattern Source
Selvedge Shop

More pretty, summery looks on the inside!

I just love the full-skirt look. Sweet like ice cream on a hot day! :)

McCall's 5412 really goes for a formal look. The tiered skirt in 5405 is really cool.

McCall's 5405 has a neat and unusual tiered skirt.
Available in this member shop:
Anne8865

Or if you prefer a much more formal slim skirt, try 5412, available in these member shops:
Anne8865
Eleanor Meriwether
Patterns From The Past

McCall's 5397 has some really neat seam interest. More button shoulders in 5399.

More interesting seaming in 5396. Pretty full skirts seen in 5401 and 5398. The unusual puffy sleeves featured in 5401 don't really show very well in this illustration.

More shoulder ties are seen in 5377. Check out those puffy sleeves in 5424!

Look at the neat removable peplum in McCall's 5425.

A selection of belts that could be used with almost any of the above dresses.

The booklet closes out with a mother-daughter fashion.

I hope you've enjoyed this look at May 1960! I hope it gave you some inspiration for your own sewing project.

These patterns all seem to be pretty rare. If you've made any of them, be sure to comment. Or, just let us know which ones are your favorites. :)

Also, be sure to check out all the similar beautiful patterns from Pattern Patter Team members.

Row 1: Vogue Vixens; DejaVu Patterns; Grandma Made With Love
Row 2: She'll Make You Flip; Sew Betty And Dot; People Packages
Row 3: So Vintage on Etsy; Chloe's Closet; Pattern And Stitch

Or click here to see more!!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Focus On: Sundresses

By Sherri, sewbettyanddot

It's July, it's hot and/or humid (in most parts of the Northern Hemisphere, in any case!), so let's keep it simple, shall we? Let's look at the easy-breezy sundress.

By the very loosest definition, a sundress is a simple garment that does not require anything else: no belt, no jacket, no stockings...and if you can get away without a foundation garment under it, so much the better! (That being said, many vintage sundress patterns often have little boleros or jackets, presumably to don when the sun gets to be too much, or perhaps to wear for a bit more coverage while in a restaurant). It is sleeveless and may or may not have a relatively revealing neckline.

Historically, the sundress--loose, comfortable, worn without rigid girdles or slips--follows on from the more relaxed garments seen in the 1920s. In the 1930s women began to embrace the notion of physical fitness, and tanning became popular. This is an interesting sociological development: for centuries, pale skin was desirable because it indicated that you were of an upper class--you didn't work outside so your skin remained pale. In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813), Caroline Bingley shows her snobbishness here: "How very ill Eliza Bennett looks this morning, Mr. Darcy," she cried. "She is grown so brown and coarse..." Women worked hard to stay covered up when outside (long sleeves--check; sunbonnet--check; shawl--check; parasol--check). In the late 1920s and 1930s, however, social mores switched course and being tanned meant that you were wealthy enough to have leisure time to spend on the beach, golf course, etc. It is alleged that Coco Chanel started the tanning craze after she accidentally got sunburned while on a yachting trip--one more thing we can attribute to Mademoiselle Chanel!

The first sundresses (as we know them) appeared in the 1930s...not coincidentally, around the time playsuits became popular and around the same period when swimsuits exposed more skin. And fashion has never looked back: every decade has seen some version of the sundress--halter, maxi length, mini, backless)--and apparently sundresses are on trend this year.

So let's look at some lovely sundress patterns from members of the Pattern Patter team: