Original Circa 1963 Spadea Pattern No. Y-1246 - Brigance Junior Dress

Original circa 1963 Spadea Pattern No. Y-1246, a designer pattern by Brigance from Spadea's Young America line, in junior sizing for women's daytime wear. Tucked front panels run the length of the dress beside a buttoned front band, finished with a rounded collar, short sleeves or a sleeveless option, and a two-piece buckled belt. Complete and in nice condition.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: Spadea No. Y-1246 (Young America, Designer: Brigance)
• Year: Circa 1963
• Garment: Junior Dress with Tucked Front Panels and Belt
• Size: Junior 11 (34½" Bust, 24½" Waist, 35½" Hip)
• Condition: Complete, Nice Condition; Mail-Order Pattern (No Envelope, as Issued); Instruction Sheet Discolored

Design

Spadea Y-1246 gets its dressmaker look from rows of tucks stitched down the front panels on either side of a narrow band that laps right over left and closes with twelve buttons. A rounded collar sits at the neckline, and the dress may be made with short sleeves or left sleeveless with armhole facings. There are no waist seams to fit: as the instructions explain, all the waist fitting is done with the belt, a two-piece design that overlaps at the front and closes with a buckle. The 11-piece pattern is cut to the designer's own measurements rather than standard pattern sizing, and suggests linen, chambray, novelty cottons, shantung, plain or printed silks, and wool crepe.

A Moment in Fashion History

Spadea brought designer originals to home sewers through the mail, printing each pattern with the designer's name and cutting it to that designer's own measurements. This one carries the name of Brigance, the American designer Tom Brigance, best known for clean, practical sportswear. Made for Spadea's Young America line in junior sizing, it shows how the polished look of the early 1960s was being offered to younger women: neat tucks, a crisp collar, and a belted waist, but simplified so the sewing stayed easy.

Illustration

The cover illustration has been digitally restored and enhanced by Judy Yates to highlight the original fashion artwork while preserving the character and artistry of this historic Spadea instruction sheet.

Connections

Tucked front panels give this junior dress what Spadea called an expensive dressmaker look, yet the belt does all the waist fitting, a polished early-1960s line made deliberately easy to sew. Explore our exhibit showcasing the elegant hinge between two eras, Pillbox and Polish.