Past Patterns 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern | McCall 6731 | B34 Depression Era
$22.00
Authentic reproduction of McCall 6731, a Depression Era 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern. This Size 16 (B34) pattern features a distinctive bow tie detail, two sleeve options, and a two-piece skirt with back flare. Includes 10 pattern pieces with detailed instructions.
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Past Patterns 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern | McCall 6731 | B34 Depression Era
$22.00
Authentic reproduction of McCall 6731, a Depression Era 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern. This Size 16 (B34) pattern features a distinctive bow tie detail, two sleeve options, and a two-piece skirt with back flare. Includes 10 pattern pieces with detailed instructions.
Get Free Shipping
On all US Orders over $50!
All of our patterns tell a story.
Why Choose This Pattern?
1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern: Authentic Depression Era Fashion
This 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern reproduces the elegant McCall 6731 design from the Depression Era. Originally released in 1931, this pattern captures the distinctive style of early 1930s fashion with its graceful lines and feminine details. Perfect for historical costumers, vintage fashion enthusiasts, and theatrical productions, this pattern offers an authentic window into Depression Era clothing.
Digital Option Available
Looking for an instant download version? This pattern is also available as a digital download that you can print at home. Click here for the downloadable version of this 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern →
Historical Background of the 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern
The 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern represents an important transition in women's fashion during the Depression Era. From the November 1931 issue of McCalls, page 88: "An up-swinging seam and the slightest of drapes mold the corsage according to that new style note. The skirt gives a repetition of bodice lines."
On the original packaging, this garment was described as a "Ladies' and Misses' Dress. Two-piece skirt creates back flare. Long sleeves come to a point or short puffed sleeves with bow-ties. Removable belt." 2 variations of the Bow Tie Dress can be created from this pattern.
According to the Vintage Fashion Guild, the early 1930s saw clothing designs that emphasized a more natural waistline and slim silhouette, features beautifully demonstrated in this 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern. Despite the economic hardships of the Depression, fashion remained important to women, with patterns allowing home sewers to create stylish garments at a fraction of ready-made prices.
📏 PATTERN DETAILS
This 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern includes the following specifications:
- Size: 16 (34" bust, 37" hip)
- Style: Ladies' and Misses' Dress with distinctive bow tie detail
- Features: Two-piece skirt creating back flare, removable belt
- Options: Long sleeves that come to a point OR short puffed sleeves with bow-ties
- Pattern Number: McCall 6731 from 1931
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Number of Pattern Pieces: 10 pieces total
The bow tie embellishment was a popular detail in early 1930s fashion, adding visual interest while maintaining the sleek lines characteristic of the era. This 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern beautifully preserves this historical detail for modern sewists.
📦 WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR 1930S BOW TIE DRESS SEWING PATTERN
Our meticulous reproduction of this 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern includes:
- Complete printed pattern on 1 36" wide sheet
- 20 lb. white paper in reusable plastic packaging
- Detailed instruction booklet with original McCall directions
- Envelope with original artwork, sizing chart & material requirements
- Guide to Editing Garments for Bust Size
- Historical information about the pattern industry
- Pattern contains 10 pieces, hand-drawn emulating the originals
Each pattern is carefully reproduced to maintain the authentic construction methods of the original 1931 design, while providing clear instructions for modern sewists.
🧵 MATERIALS NEEDED
To complete your 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern project, you'll need:
- 3¾ yards of 36" wide fabric
- Original suggestions: Linen, sheer cotton, novelty cotton, silk or rayon crepe, triple sheers, flat crepe, sheer woolens and wool voile
- Popular 1930s colors: Black, bleu royale, garland green, China blue and rose beige
- Basic sewing supplies including thread, scissors, pins, and measuring tape
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute features similar 1930s dresses in their collection, showing how these styles were typically made with fabrics that draped well to achieve the flowing, feminine silhouette of the era.
📐 SIZING NOTES FOR YOUR 1930S BOW TIE DRESS SEWING PATTERN
This pattern is designed for a 1930s figure with 34" bust and 37" hip. This is the only size offered for this package. Vintage sizing differs from modern sizing standards, so we recommend taking accurate measurements before beginning.
For comprehensive resizing information and tutorials on adapting vintage patterns to different measurements, visit: pastpatterns.com/resizing-vintage-patterns/
🧶 FABRIC RECOMMENDATIONS
For an authentic 1930s look when creating your dress from this 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern, choose fabrics with good drape that were typical of the Depression Era. As recommended by Threads Magazine, lightweight wools, rayon crepes, and silks provide the right flow and movement for this vintage silhouette.
Modern equivalents that work well include:
- Rayon challis
- Lightweight crepe
- Silk charmeuse
- Fine wool gabardine
- Cotton voile for warmer weather versions
🧩 HISTORICAL SEWING TECHNIQUES
The 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern incorporates construction methods typical of Depression Era dressmaking. These include carefully placed darts for shaping, the distinctive bow tie detail, and the flowing skirt with back flare. Our pattern maintains these authentic elements while providing clear guidance for modern sewists.
📦 SHIPPING INFORMATION
We ship all 1930s Bow Tie Dress Sewing Pattern orders from our Las Vegas, NV location. We offer reasonable shipping rates for domestic and international orders. Multi-item purchases automatically receive combined shipping discounts. Please contact us for expedited shipping options.
Past Patterns © 1979-2025. All rights reserved.
Additional information
| Weight | 8 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 × 10 × 2 in |
Sizing Information
(Metric size sheet opens as a PDF in a new browser tab)
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FAQ's
(Frequently asked questions)
Why are both Trowsers and Trousers listed on site?
Over the last 200 years, much like the human body, our style of language has changed. For vintage patterns, we attempt to use the language of the day where possible.
Can you grade (edit) a Vintage Revival pattern for my size?
please contact us with the specific pattern number and the specifications you require. We have staff available for this for an additional fee.
What sizes do Past Patterns patterns come in?
Our patterns, with some exceptions, are manufactured in sizes 8 through 26 for women and sizes 34 through 54 for men. Most patterns are multi-sized. For a complete listing of measurements in inches see the size chart.
Do you have vintage patterns (manufactured prior to 1950) that you want to sell?
we are always on the lookout for original, American designed, vintage patterns especially for categories outside of current items. We are interested if you have 1 pattern or 1000 patterns. Give us a call to discuss.
Why is my pattern size different from my off the rack dress size?
We use the U. S. Board of Standard Measurements to size our patterns. The ready made clothing manufacturers have their own set of sizes developed from their own statistics. For a complete listing of measurements in inches see the size chart.
How are the patterns packaged?
We package our patterns in two forms: Bond Paper and Tissue. Except for the Tissue patterns, each is slipped into a reusable plastic sleeve. Many contain documentation in the form of Historical Notes or the printer ie., Butterick. Because the patterns are printed in house to order, they can take from three to seven days. Tissue patterns, which are printed out of house, are available to ship immediately.
What does a Corset Kit contain in addition to the Corset pattern?
In addition to the pattern, the kits contain everything you need to make the corset except the thread. The kits contain, according to their type, fabric and lining, stays, clasp or busk board, back lacing, tape for finishing the edges, trim lace, ribbon, leather, tin stock, waist tape, punch and setter, eyelets, marking pencils, cording, reed and a loop turner.
Need a pattern in your language?
we can translate our instructions into just about any language
Have an old and incomplete Past Patterns item. What can I do?
The answer depends on if the pattern is still in production or not. If it is, please mail us the old pattern and we will ship you a copy of the latest pattern for a minimal fee along with normal shipping charges. If the item is no longer in production, we would need to know exactly what you have to determine the best course of action to help you.
What is the difference between a Past Patterns original pattern and a Vintage Revival pattern?
The Past Patterns originals were designed in house and based upon the research, disassembly and time of Saundra Ros Altman. These designs come from finds all over the United States reaching from San Diego, California to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. She created the initial patterns, the sizing charts and the instruction content. Many of the these patterns are multi-sized or are available in various sizes. For the most part, these designs are done taking into account the modern human body's shape, height and weight. The Vintage Revival patterns are traces or copies of an old, mass produced pattern; the first mass produced patterns came out in the 1850s. For the most part, you get exactly what came in the original package; in some cases, Saundra has appended historical notes to the instructions. The Vintage Revivals patterns, being copies of the originals, generally only come in one size and are based upon the size and shape of the human body from the era the pattern came from.
What software do you use to create patterns?
We utilize PW Studio for our designs. Isabelle Lott, a contributor over the years to Past Patterns, is the owner of the company and will be happy to answer an software related questions you have. Her software is available for licensing.
What measurements do I need to know to order a Corset Kit?
The bust and back length. The back length is measured from the prominent bone at the base of the neck to the natural waistline.
Where can I see the appropriate clothing fabrics for the 18th and 19th centuries?
You can see 1740 through 1940 fabrics in a book titled "Textile Designs" by Susan Meller and Joost Elffers. The subtitle states, "Two Hundred Years of European and American Patterns for Printed Fabric by Motif, Style, Color, Layout and Period and 1,823 Illustration in Color." What they don't say is that 90% of the swatches pictured are life size. The ISBN is 0-8109-3853-7. A second book is Wearable Prints, 1740-1860, History, Materials, and Mechanics by Susan W. Greene. The ISBN is 978-1-60635-124-6. Great books! Order it from your local library that has interlibrary loan capability if you cannot afford the price. There are now many sources for appropriate fabric through the Internet.
Where can I find antique patterns to purchase?
On the Internet try: "Patterns from the Past."
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we do offer expedited domestic shipping for extra fees. We can also expeditie international shipments but delivery dates overseas cannot be promised.
Becoming a Wholesalers of our patterns
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Why don't we sell PDFs of our patterns - First due to piracy. We have spent over 40 years creating and tracing these patterns along with researching them. We print and ship all of our patterns ourselves. If we started sending out PDFs, in no time, copies of our Intellectual Property would be all over the internet and we would be out of business. Second, some of our patterns are constantly being updated. We want our clients to get the BEST POSSIBLE version of our products.
