Original circa 1947 McCall Pattern No. 6990 - Ladies' and Misses' Dress

Original circa 1947 McCall Pattern No. 6990 for a women's dress in three versions. A shaped front yoke with a notched neckline sits above a softly gathered bodice, finished with a double row of buttons and a belted waist, over a long gored skirt with an inverted pleat at center front. Choose long sleeves gathered into buttoned bands, full three-quarter sleeves with cuffs, or short sleeves. Factory Folded and Unused.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: McCall No. 6990
• Year: Circa 1947
• Garment: Ladies' and Misses' Dress
• Size: 16 (36" Bust, 28" Waist, 37" Hip)
• Condition: Factory Folded

Design

McCall Pattern 6990 builds its interest at the neckline, where the shaped front yoke is cut into sharp notched points on either side of the opening. Below the yoke the bodice is gathered for soft fullness, and a double row of buttons runs down the front to a narrow belted waist. The gored skirt has a separate front inset forming an inverted pleat, giving room to move and about 2 3/8 yards at the hem in size 16, with a finished length of 46 inches from the back of the neck. View A has long full sleeves gathered into buttoned bands, View B has three-quarter bishop sleeves finished with turned-back cuffs, and View C has short sleeves. The dress closes with a 10-inch slide fastener at the side, and the 20-piece pattern includes pieces for shoulder pads.

A Moment in Fashion History

When Christian Dior showed his first collection in February 1947, hemlines dropped and skirts grew fuller almost overnight, and American pattern companies spent the following seasons bringing the change to the home sewing counter. McCall 6990 sits right at that turning point. The long gored skirt, inset pleat, and belted waist look ahead to the New Look, while the gathered yoke, full sleeves, and shoulder pad pieces still carry the softened lines of the war years. The plain "McCall" name on the envelope also places it before 1951, when the company began printing "McCall's."

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

The McCall Pattern Company embraced the New Look early and carried its nipped waists and full skirts into every kind of dress, from morning to evening. Explore McCall's take on the New Look.