Wednesday, April 18, 2007

A Piggy Pocket

Here's a darling little oldie from way back when. The only reason I haven't made it yet is that I don't have a Princess in this size. But I will, I will..... In fact, I am really tempted to just go ahead and do it and let it hang around here (while I admire it) until it does fit someone.

Try as I might, I can't find a copyright date on it. It's McCalls 1819 with an original price of 45 cents:



The Pocket! The Pocket!

It's a pig! With little coin buttons sewn on above it, like a Piggy Bank!

Here's the back:



I'll say right off that what caught my eye originally was the flutter sleeves with the contrast trim. Then, of course, the pleated panel in the front--a nice change up from fullness provided from gathering. And then The Pocket!

From the back you can see that the front of the dress is actually several sections--two bodice side pieces, two skirt pieces, with a separate front panel (the pleated one) that runs down the center front. An easy way to construct, with no inset seaming required.

Other things of interest are on the instruction sheet. For one, it looks like it was typed on a good old-fashioned typewriter. I just love that. Oh, those bygone days.....

For two, it has directions and diagrams for hand worked buttonholes.

For three, it has one entire section entitled Fitting Chubby Girls, with directions for widening the waist, the sleeves, and the sleeve bands.

No way would a pattern company today dare insult us with such! Even though many of us would find these directions very helpful in making properly fitting clothes for our little ones, many folks would get in a big huff at this "labeling" of their child. As a result, many people lack the skills to adjust patterns, become frustrated, and give up sewing.

And I think that's a shame.

5 comments:

Crafty Mama said...

I love that pattern!!!

Anonymous said...

What an adorable pattern! I love the piggy pocket...it seems as though I have seen it before...and wanted to buy it!

Cemetarian, who has a store on ebay, posted a chart of vintage pattern numbers and she pegs this one as 1953, which must be why I like it. I was all of 5, then, and loved to wear dresses.

I found you via dressaday: love your site. I may spend all my time reading blogs and never sew again!

CandlebyNight said...

Love the pattern! The little blue dress is so sweet. It would be nice if we could have more "chubby" girl directions. I for one am terrible at altering patterns. I have to think for a long time and that hurts my brain.

Oh and I hear ya about WalMart!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pattern, beautiful workmanship and beautiful blog! I am a new reader, thanks to DressADay. The Limeade dress is lovely, and I am going to get the pattern to make my own twirly girl a version. Got to enjoy these seiwng years and influence her nascent style sense while I can!
Janina in Canada

Juliane said...

Thanks to all my new readers!