1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 3573
$24.00
1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 3573. Reproduced from a 1940 Simplicity design with pleated skirt, tailored yoke, and collar revers. Printed on 36″ wide paper with full instructions and our Guide to Editing Garments Due to Bust Size. Size 20 (38″ bust).
999 in stock
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1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 3573
$24.00
1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 3573. Reproduced from a 1940 Simplicity design with pleated skirt, tailored yoke, and collar revers. Printed on 36″ wide paper with full instructions and our Guide to Editing Garments Due to Bust Size. Size 20 (38″ bust).
999 in stock
Get Free Shipping
On all US Orders over $50!
All of our patterns tell a story.
Why Choose This Pattern?
1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 3573 — This 1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern is a faithful Past Patterns reproduction of Simplicity Pattern 3573, capturing the practical elegance of early-1940s tailoring.
Overview — 1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern
Originally published by: Simplicity Pattern Company
Date: Early 1940 (likely January 1940)
Garment Features (from the original envelope description):
- Pleated skirt joined to blouse at the natural waistline
- Gathered blouse (front & back) to a one-piece yoke
- Fronts faced and rolled with the collar to form revers
- Sleeve options: short with pleated lower edge, or long and fitted
- Optional pleated patch pocket
- Waist finish: straight buckled belt or three-piece girdle with tie belts
Views/Variations: 2
What’s Included (Printed Version) — 1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern
- Full-size pattern sheets printed on sturdy 36" wide white paper — no home taping required
- Reproduction envelope/cover art with sizing & materials charts and a pattern diagram
- Printed instruction booklet, including the classic Simplicity Primer for step-by-step construction
- Past Patterns “Guide to Editing Garments Due to Bust Size” with helpful adjustments and fit strategies
Sizing & Fit — 1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern
- Available Size: Women’s Size 20 only
- Bust: 38"
- Pattern Pieces: 12
- Seam Allowances: 3/4" at underarm seams; 1/2" on all other edges
Fabric & Notions (Period-Appropriate)
Yardage (original): Approximately 4 3/4 yards of 36" wide fabric for the dress (verify against your chosen size and layout).
Recommended Fabrics (original suggestions): Linen, sharkskin, shantung, cotton prints, novelty cottons; for Style I, adds jersey, wool crepe, or gabardine to the suggestions.
Belt/Girdle Fabrics: Cotton, satin, silk, crepe, velveteen, taffeta, jersey, or wool crepe.
Notions: Buttons, interfacing as needed, and standard dressmaking supplies.
Skill Level & Construction Details
Difficulty: 3/5 (Intermediate)
Why 3/5? Set-in sleeves with an option for pleated hems, a tailored collar with revers, precise pleat formation on the skirt, and belt/girdle finishing require comfortable garment-sewing skills and accurate pressing. Buttonholes and yoke gathering are straightforward but benefit from experience.
Historical Context — 1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern
Pattern 3573 reflects early-1940 styling that balanced feminine lines with practical, fabric-conserving details. Contemporary industry materials record Simplicity’s pattern publications in January 1940, consistent with this dating. Supporting reference: U.S. Catalog of Copyright Entries (Jan. 1940).
As the 1940s progressed—particularly under wartime conservation—home-sewing emphasized efficient layouts and restrained embellishment, trends Simplicity highlights in its own historical overview. Further reading: Simplicity: Stitch in Time — 1940s.
Carefully Researched, Faithfully Reproduced
Past Patterns prioritizes accuracy. You receive clean, readable pattern lines; historically informed instructions; and supporting fit guidance so your finished dress captures the crisp, authentic look of the period.
Also Available as a Digital Download
Prefer to print at home or at a copy shop? See the matching 1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Downloads
Wrap-Up
Ready to create an era-correct 1940s Button-Front Dress with Pleated Skirt Sewing Pattern that you’ll wear with pride? Add this classic to your collection and start stitching your 1940 look today.
Copyright Past Patterns 1979-2025. All rights reserved.
Additional information
| Weight | 10 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.
