1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 7227
$27.00
The 1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern reproduces an elegant McCalls 1933 design featuring a tailored front-button closure, removable belt, and multiple sleeve options including long tied sleeves, four-piece puffed elbow sleeves, or short cuffed sleeves.
Skill Level: 3/5 (Intermediate)
This pattern is recommended for intermediate sewists due to button closures, fitted seams, and multiple sleeve construction options. The illustrated instruction booklet provides clear guidance typical of early printed pattern instructions.
999 in stock
Get Free Shipping
On all US Orders over $50!
1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 7227
$27.00
The 1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern reproduces an elegant McCalls 1933 design featuring a tailored front-button closure, removable belt, and multiple sleeve options including long tied sleeves, four-piece puffed elbow sleeves, or short cuffed sleeves.
Skill Level: 3/5 (Intermediate)
This pattern is recommended for intermediate sewists due to button closures, fitted seams, and multiple sleeve construction options. The illustrated instruction booklet provides clear guidance typical of early printed pattern instructions.
999 in stock
Get Free Shipping
On all US Orders over $50!
All of our patterns tell a story.
Why Choose This Pattern?
"With the right pattern, a fashionable fabric, the necessary notions and a sewing machine, one can work sartorial wonders in the privacy of one's own living room." – Colony Coyote and Alzada Fairplay, Oct 22, 1931
This 1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern was originally released by McCalls.
1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern
From McCall's Magazine, March 1933, page 115: “There's no getting away from the tailor-type frock—no one wants to, anyway. It's one of the most becoming fashions that ever came out of Paris.”
This 1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern captures the tailored elegance that defined early-1930s daywear. The design blends practical construction with fashionable details such as a front button closure, optional sleeve styles, and a removable belt to emphasize the natural waistline.
On the original packaging, the garment was described as a:
“Ladies' and Misses' Dress. Dress closure in front with buttons. Long straight sleeves with sleeve ties or four-part sleeve giving puffed look to elbow. Short sleeve with cuff also possible. Facing near neckline gives bow effect. Removable belt.”
Two variations of the 1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern can be created from this set.
Historical Context
The early 1930s marked a shift toward refined, tailored day dresses that balanced practicality with understated elegance. Fashion magazines of the era frequently promoted “tailor-type frocks” as dependable wardrobe staples suitable for both work and social occasions. Dresses like this were designed to flatter the figure while remaining practical for home sewing.
The front button closure was a particularly popular design element because it simplified dressing while giving the garment a polished, tailored appearance. Subtle neckline facings and bow accents allowed home dressmakers to incorporate fashionable details without overly complicated construction.
Pattern Features
- Authentic McCalls 1933 dress design
- Classic front button closure
- Removable belt for shaping the waist
- Three sleeve options:
- Long straight sleeve with ties
- Four-piece sleeve creating a puffed elbow effect
- Short sleeve with cuff
- Decorative neckline facing that forms a bow effect
- Two garment variations possible
- Original printed pattern layout including 18 pattern pieces
The original instructions illustrate seam order, sleeve construction methods, and finishing techniques typical of early printed patterns. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Sizing
This 1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern was designed to fit the size and shape of a 1930s woman with the following measurements:
- Bust: 36"
- Hips: 39"
This is the only size offered for this package.
For resizing information see:
https://pastpatterns.com/resizing-vintage-patterns/
Material Requirements
4 3/8 yards of 36" wide fabric.
Dresses of this style were commonly made using:
- Celanese
- Velveteen
- Crepes
- Cottons
- Linen
- Rayon
- Uncut velvet
- Lightweight woolens
Period color choices frequently included navy blue, dark brown, medium brown, mulberry, cruise blue, and gray.
Skill Level
Skill Level: 3 / 5 (Intermediate)
This pattern is best suited to sewists with intermediate experience. Construction includes button closures, sleeve variations, fitted seams, and several finishing techniques typical of early-1930s garment construction. The illustrated instructions guide the maker through seam assembly, sleeve options, and finishing details, but familiarity with vintage sewing methods will help ensure the best results.
What You Receive
- Printed sewing pattern on two 36" wide sheets
- Hand-drawn pattern pieces emulating original McCalls drafts
- Illustrated instruction booklet
- Pattern diagram, sizing chart, and material requirements chart
- Past Patterns Guide to Editing and Modifying Patterns Due to Bust Size
About Past Patterns
This 1930s Dress with Front Button Closure Sewing Pattern package includes a reproduction of the original cover artwork along with historical notes about the early twentieth-century paper pattern industry.
Our printed sewing patterns are produced on durable 20 lb. white paper and packaged in reusable plastic sleeves.
Copyright Past Patterns 1979–2026. All rights reserved.
Additional information
| Weight | 11 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 × 10 × 3 in |
Sizing Information
(Metric size sheet opens as a PDF in a new browser tab)
Preferred Vendors
Past Patterns works with vendors from all over the world to help us replicate the amazing articles of clothing. Now you can too!
Visit our preferred vendors page to order directly from some of our top recommended suppliers.
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."
Need a pattern tomorrow?
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
We offer Wholesalers significant discounts that will allow both your and our businesses to flourish.
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.
