1930s Vintage McCall Sewing Pattern 663 Rare Misses Mexican Apron Fits All

Original Circa 1939 McCall Pattern No. 663 - Apron and Kerchief Set with Mexican Motifs

Original Circa 1939 McCall Printed Pattern No. 663, an apron and kerchief set offered in three colorways, each appliquéd with figures from a bright, storybook "Old Mexico" motif - burros led by sombrero-clad figures, and a señorita balancing a flower basket. One Size. Complete Nice Condition; envelope shows wear from decades of handling, professionally repaired to keep it intact. Transfer uncut.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: McCall No. 663
• Year: Circa 1939
• Garment: Apron and Kerchief Set with Mexican Motifs for Appliqué (3 Views)
• Size: One Size
• Condition: Complete Nice Condition
• Envelope Condition: Worn, Professionally Repaired
• Transfer: Uncut

Design

McCall Pattern 663 pairs an apron with a matching triangular kerchief in three distinct colorways. View A is a suspender-strap bib apron in yellow, bordered in red, blue, and green bias tape, appliquéd with a couple in traditional dress - a señorita balancing a flower basket on her head opposite a man in a wide sombrero offering a blossom. View B is a red waist apron trimmed in the same striped bias-tape border, appliquéd with a burro led by a figure in a serape and sombrero. View C repeats the burro motif on a blue ground with orange, green, and black trim. Each figure is worked in six-strand embroidery cotton over pieced appliqué scraps of gingham, percale, chambray, or calico. Ten pieces and one transfer are included.

A Moment in Fashion History

Novelty "Mexican motif" transfers like this one were a genuine recurring category in late-1930s and 1940s American home sewing, not a one-off design - stock imagery of sombrero-clad figures, burros, and señoritas turned up again and again across pattern companies' transfer offerings through the decade. The appeal drew on a broader American fascination with "Old Mexico" imagery that ran through prewar textiles, ceramics, and tourist ephemera alike, offering home sewers a bright, storybook shorthand for a place most had only encountered in postcards and travel posters.

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 McCall pattern envelope.

Connections

This pattern is part of our Kitschy Kitchen exhibit, a growing collection celebrating the whimsical, decorative side of mid-century kitchen textiles. While I love everything about McCall, it must be said, "McCall Makes the Cutest Aprons!"