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Early 1920s Flapper Dress Sewing Pattern

Past Patterns 2496 | Printed and Mailed Sewing Pattern | Bust 38 Inches

This professionally printed Early 1920s Dress Sewing Pattern reproduces a design originally published by The New McCall Pattern Company. Its straight, loose silhouette, adjustable hip and neckline ties, and bell-sleeve options capture the distinctive style of the early flapper era.

Pattern Features

Two dress variations
Adjustable ties at the hip and neckline
Choice of elbow-length or long bell sleeves
Straight, loose early-1920s silhouette
Dropped-waist styling
Five full-size pattern pieces
Printed physical pattern mailed to you

Size and Measurements

Original pattern size:

Bust: 38 inches
Hips: 41 inches

This is the only size included. Because the measurements reflect early-1920s sizing and proportions, compare them carefully with the intended wearer before cutting. An experienced sewist may resize or alter the pattern when necessary.

Skill Level: 4/5 — Advanced

This rating reflects the pattern’s minimal original directions, lack of written step-by-step instructions, period construction methods, and the need for the sewist to determine appropriate seam allowances. Although the dress contains only five pattern pieces, experience interpreting vintage cutting and construction illustrations is strongly recommended.

Important Instruction Information

The reproduced back cover provides original-style “How to Cut” and “How to Make” illustrations. There are no written sewing instructions in this pattern package. No seam allowances are identified in the surviving directions, so the sewist must determine and add suitable seam allowances before cutting.

Materials Required

2 1/8 yards of 36-inch-wide fabric

Suitable period-inspired fabrics may include wool cherilaine, silk flat crepe, silk crepe satin, wool French crepe, crepe de Chine, georgette, chiffon, cotton voile, or rayon. Historically appropriate colors include black, brown, bisque, tan, blue, navy blue, mahogany, and powder blue.

What Is Included

One full-size pattern sheet approximately 36 inches wide by 90 inches long
Five hand-drawn pattern pieces reproduced to emulate the original pattern
Reproduction of the original McCall cover artwork and materials information
“How to Cut” and “How to Make” illustrations from the back cover
History of the Paper Pattern Industry
Past Patterns Guide to Editing Garments Due to Bust Size

The full-size pattern is printed on 20 lb. white paper and packaged in reusable plastic for storage.

Historical Background

This design was advertised in the January 1922 issue of McCall’s. The “New McCall’s” format was an important improvement because the individual pattern pieces were labeled, helping reduce confusion for home dressmakers.

The pattern’s relaxed silhouette, dropped waist, modest neckline, adjustable ties, and bell sleeves illustrate the transition into the fashionable styles associated with the Roaring Twenties.

About Past Patterns

Past Patterns has reproduced historical sewing patterns since 1979. Our goal is to help sewists, costumers, reenactors, museums, and theatrical groups create wearable reproductions while preserving original antique garments for future generations.

Please note: This listing is for a newly printed reproduction sewing pattern. It is not an original antique pattern and is not a digital download.