Early 1930s Ladies Coat Dress Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 7122
$25.00
Early 1930s Ladies Coat Dress Sewing Pattern reproduces a 1932 McCall design featuring a surplice neckline, shoulder bow, puffed sleeves, and a back sash for elegant daytime wear.
Skill Level: 4/5
Designed for experienced sewists. Construction includes surplice alignment, sleeve shaping, trim application, and careful period finishing techniques.
999 in stock
Get Free Shipping
On all US Orders over $50!
Early 1930s Ladies Coat Dress Sewing Pattern | Past Patterns 7122
$25.00
Early 1930s Ladies Coat Dress Sewing Pattern reproduces a 1932 McCall design featuring a surplice neckline, shoulder bow, puffed sleeves, and a back sash for elegant daytime wear.
Skill Level: 4/5
Designed for experienced sewists. Construction includes surplice alignment, sleeve shaping, trim application, and careful period finishing techniques.
999 in stock
Get Free Shipping
On all US Orders over $50!
All of our patterns tell a story.
Why Choose This Pattern?
Early 1930s Ladies Coat Dress Sewing Pattern
The Early 1930s Ladies Coat Dress Sewing Pattern reproduces an original design issued by McCall in November of 1932. This elegant garment proves that the coat dress could stand proudly among the most refined daytime fashions of the period. Featuring dramatic asymmetry, sculpted sleeves, and feminine trimming, this design captures the refined, lengthened silhouette that defined early-1930s style.
Period advertising described the frock as being suitable for occasions where polish and authority were desired without sacrificing softness. The combination of tailored structure and decorative flourish makes it ideal for historical costuming, interpretation, and advanced wardrobe building.
Design Features of this Early 1930s Ladies Coat Dress Sewing Pattern
The style is built around a graceful surplice neckline. A graduated ruffle edges one side of the opening, while a bow rests at the shoulder, drawing the eye upward and emphasizing the fashionable vertical movement of the era. Sleeves are softly puffed, providing fullness at the upper arm before narrowing toward the lower portion.
A sash treatment shapes the back, giving definition without breaking the long line so favored in early Depression-era design. The skirt falls smoothly from the hip, maintaining a dignified, formal appearance appropriate for afternoon engagements, professional settings, or refined daywear.
Two variations are included, allowing the maker to adjust sleeve treatment and finishing details while preserving the essential character of the original.
Historical Background
In the early 1930s, fashion moved toward slim sophistication. After the youthful tubular looks of the 1920s, designers reintroduced shaping through drape, bias influence, and carefully controlled fullness. The coat dress became an especially important solution — versatile enough for business, yet elegant enough for social appearances.
McCall promoted this model as proof that a coat dress could be as formal as any daytime frock. You can read more about early-1930s dress trends via the Fashion History Timeline at the Fashion Institute of Technology:
1930–1939 Fashion History Overview.
What You Receive
This printed reproduction remains faithful to the original McCall release.
- 14 pattern pieces
- 3/8" seam allowances included
- Original cutting and construction logic preserved
- Illustrated directions
- Period diagramming and markings
The tissue layout and assembly order follow the historical system. Experienced users of McCall patterns will recognize the brand’s distinctive approach immediately.
Your pattern is printed full-size on wide format sheets and folded into our protective packaging.
Size Information
This pattern is offered in the only size available from the original issue:
- Bust: 38"
- Hips: 41"
Skilled dressmakers accustomed to grading may resize if desired.
Fabric Guidance
The envelope recommended rayon, velvet, crepe, celanese, lightweight woolens, voile, or satin. These textiles support the soft drape required by the surplice treatment while maintaining the authority expected of a coat dress.
Yardage from the original source indicates approximately 5 to 5⅛ yards depending on sleeve choice.
Skill Level
4 / 5 – Experienced
This rating reflects the surplice construction, sleeve shaping, trim application, and period finishing methods. The garment demands accuracy in alignment, confidence handling draped elements, and familiarity with vintage assembly sequencing.
Why Choose Past Patterns
Past Patterns has specialized in historically accurate sewing research and reproduction since 1979. Our work preserves original drafting logic while making these important garments accessible to modern makers, theaters, museums, and educators.
If you would prefer a printable version for home or projector use, the digital edition is also available.
View the download version here.
Copyright Past Patterns 1979–2026. All rights reserved.
Additional information
| Weight | 12 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.
