Companion-Butterick suit pattern No. 6671, March, 1936.
This surprisingly modern-looking flared jacket, with a curved hemline, ought to inspire somebody. [You might want to make it a bit shorter, or inches longer, or add a collar, but the asymmetrical closing, curved hem, and raglan sleeves are all worth thinking about.] It was featured in The Woman’s Home Companion as the core of a spring wardrobe for 1936 — varied with several blouses made from a “Triad” pattern.
Pages 70 and 71, Woman’s Home Companion, March 1936.
A frequent theme in the Great Depression, when people owned fewer clothes than today, was fashion advice on making one basic dress or suit look different by careful planning and accessorizing. (See also One Good Dress in the 1930s.)
“One Suit Can Make a Spring Wardrobe, Given Plenty of Bright Accessories”
The suit, Companion-Butterick pattern No. 6671 was available in sizes “12 to 20, also 30 to 40 bust measures.” [At first, I thought it was a maternity pattern, but it is just “boxy,” worn over a very slim skirt.]
The skirt has a flared godet in front, instead of a kick pleat in back, for walking ease.
Woman’s Home Companion description of current suits from Paris, Mar. 1936.
Pattern #6648, which appeared in the same issue, illustrates a similar chamois yellow blouse worn with a black, boxy-jacketed suit, as described above:
Companion-Butterick pattern 6648, March 1936, was for young women sized 12 to 20. Woman’s Home Companion.
Companion-Butterick blouse pattern No. 6672 contained several distinctly different blouse styles, “for sports,” “for shopping,” “for parties,” etc.
Companion-Butterick “triad” blouse pattern #6672. March, 1936, WHC.
I confess — I love the version with red top-stitching.
Pattern 6672 in white linen with red stitching and buttons. March, 1936.
“For sports — a rough white linen shirtwaist trimmed with red stitching and red buttons. Add a bright red hat, the soft fabric kind that sticks on your head and rolls up in your hand. Find a red bag to match, preferably with a convenient top handle, low heeled black walking shoes, and black or white fabric gloves.”
“For parties — a short-sleeved blouse of printed silk in the gayest colors you see. Top it with a huge hat of flattering white straw, your best white suede gloves, black sandals and a large black and white bag. You might try a big chiffon handkerchief in white or a bright color knotted around your throat.”
Two more versions of pattern No. 6672.
“For shopping — a chamois yellow shantung blouse tied high and crisp at the neck. Choose a tailored black straw hat banded in yellow, natural chamois gloves, a neat black seal bag and comfortable black town shoes.”
Bags and gloves, Mar. 1936. WHC, p. 71
“Just for fun — bright Kelly green in a saucy little hat and a tremendous green alligator bag, green polka-dotted white silk blouse, white gloves and the season’s newest shoes — square-toed, square heeled, patent leather pumps.”
“That is one outline for a colorful wardrobe based on a black suit. You may want to vary it with a scarf to match your favorite bracelet or an entirely different color scheme. But whatever you do remember the suit is a foundation. The accessories are your color notes to be played as gaily as you please.” — Woman’s Home Companion, March, 1936.
Inside-Out Darts
Another surprising [Post modern? Deconstructed?] detail:
The print blouse …
Print blouse #6672. March 1936.
. . . has neckline darts that put the excess fabric on the outside, as a trim detail, rather than hidden inside.
I’ve seen this on other Butterick patterns; these are all from 1938:
Dress pattern, Butterick Fashion News, March 1938.
Butterick Fashion News, March 1938.
Butterick Fashion News, April 1938.
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