Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 3110
$22.00
Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern reproduces Butterick Design 3110, featuring a separate blouse and tucked skirt with sash for a refined summer silhouette.
Skill Level: 3/5
Designed for sewists comfortable with precise tucks, plackets, collar finishing, and clean period construction techniques.
999 in stock
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Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 3110
$22.00
Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern reproduces Butterick Design 3110, featuring a separate blouse and tucked skirt with sash for a refined summer silhouette.
Skill Level: 3/5
Designed for sewists comfortable with precise tucks, plackets, collar finishing, and clean period construction techniques.
999 in stock
Get Free Shipping
On all US Orders over $50!
All of our patterns tell a story.
Why Choose This Pattern?
Overview
This Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern reproduces an original Butterick Design 3110—a smart, washable summer frock concept built around a separate shirt-waist and a tucked, straight skirt. The long, slender lines and practical two-part construction reflect the early 1920s shift toward comfort, easy laundering, and crisp daytime style.
About This Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern
The Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern is designed as a ladies’ dress that closes at the back, featuring a separate shirt-waist and a tucked straight skirt attached to a long body lining marked for a camisole top. Butterick’s original “Deltor” instruction approach is preserved for historically accurate construction details and finishing methods. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Views and Key Design Features
- Separate shirt-waist + skirt: a practical innovation for laundering and versatility
- Groups of tucks: decorative tucking on the waist and skirt for clean vertical emphasis
- Shoulder-to-shoulder collar options: open or high neck styling
- Sash/belt finish: broad sash placement to highlight the low early-1920s line
- Period-correct placket/back closure guidance with original finishing notes
Pattern Pieces Included
This collection includes 13 pattern pieces. A diagram of the full piece set is included with the instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Sizing and Fit
This Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern is offered in one historically accurate size only:
- Bust: 34"
- Waist: 26"
Because this is a true-to-era size set, experienced sewists can alter or grade for additional sizing as needed. For guidance, see our resizing vintage patterns resource.
Seam Allowance
Seam allowance is 3/8" unless otherwise noted. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Fabric Suggestions and Yardage
Recommended yardage is approximately 5 yards of 36"-wide fabric for the dress. The period recommendation list includes options well suited to warm-weather wear and laundering: organdy, batiste, cotton voile, dimity, handkerchief linen, dotted swiss, tub silks, wash satin, pongee, taffeta, crepe de chine, Canton crepe, and Georgette. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Period-appropriate color families for garments like this often include neutrals and softly saturated tones (for example: navy, tan, brown, powder blue, and similar shades), depending on fabric type and intended use.
Sewing Notes and Finishing Details
Butterick’s original guidance covers period finishing choices for seams, tucks, hems, collar and neckline options, cuffs, belt/sash construction, and back closing methods—helpful for anyone aiming to keep the inside of the garment as historically consistent as the outside. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Historical Context
The July 1921 Delineator, page 66 highlights Butterick 3110 as a “decided innovation” for summer frocks, noting the appeal of its long lines and the practical advantage of a separate shirt-waist and skirt for laundering. This contemporary commentary helps explain why the Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Sewing Pattern feels both transitional and modern in its construction choices.
What You Receive
- Full-size printed pattern sheets on 36" wide paper
- Butterick “Deltor” style illustrated instruction set for period-accurate assembly and finishing :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Reusable packaging and crisp printing on durable white paper
Also Available
Prefer a digital format? This pattern is also offered as a download here:
Early 1920s Dress with Shirt Waist Downloads.
Skill Level
Skill Level: 3/5 (Intermediate)
Why: While the silhouette is straightforward, the pattern relies on tidy tucks, accurate placket/back closing work, careful collar/neckline finishing (open or high neck), and clean sash/belt construction. The goal is crisp period results—best achieved with confident garment-sewing fundamentals. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
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)
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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."
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.
