Original circa 1920 Butterick Pattern No. 1913 - Dress with Handkerchief Tunic

Original circa 1920 Butterick Pattern No. 1913 for a dress designed for misses and small women. This early-1920s design features a softly gathered waist with a vestee, a standaway collar that sweeps into a sash end, a two-piece handkerchief-point tunic in two lengths, and a straight foundation skirt attached at an empire waistline. Complete and in Nice Condition.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: Butterick No. 1913
• Year: Circa 1920
• Garment: Misses' or Small Women's Dress with Handkerchief Tunic
• Size: 19 Years (36" Bust, 27" Waist, 38" Hip)
• Condition: Complete, Nice Condition

Design

Butterick Pattern 1913 is built in soft layers. The waist is gathered at the front into a back that extends over the shoulder, framing a vestee at the neckline, and the collar stands away from the neck before continuing into a long sash end that wraps the waist and ties in a bow at the back. The one-seam sleeve may be cut full length or in either of two shorter styles. Over the straight foundation skirt falls a two-piece tunic cut in a handkerchief effect, its points dipping at the sides, in either of two lengths. A camisole lining may be added, with ribbon straps or extending over the shoulders. View A carries an embroidered border adapted from Butterick transfer 10707, and View C pairs a plain tunic with a plaid lower skirt.

A Moment in Fashion History

Around 1920, fashion was caught between two eras. The corseted, structured silhouette of the 1910s had softened, but the boyish, dropped-waist flapper look had not yet arrived. Dresses like this one kept a raised empire waistline and a long, narrow skirt, adding movement through draped collars, sashes, and layered tunics. The handkerchief points on this tunic show the period's love of soft, uneven hemlines. Butterick sized the pattern by age for misses, noting that a small woman could order by bust measure instead, and it sold for 30 cents.

Illustration

The envelope illustrations have been digitally restored and hand-colored by Judy Yates to bring the original fashion artwork to life while preserving the character and artistry of this historic Butterick pattern envelope.