Original circa 1942 McCall Pattern No. 958 - Ladies' and Misses' Apron with Pepper and Carrot Appliqué

Original circa 1942 McCall Pattern No. 958 for a ladies' and misses' figure-flattering apron with a shaped waistband, a flared skirt, and a cheerful appliqué of a green pepper and carrots. Complete, in nice condition, with its uncut transfer; the envelope back is damaged.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: McCall No. 958
• Year: Circa 1942; also found in the 1944 McCall catalog, Page 30, and the September 1944 McCall catalog, Page 118
• Garment: Ladies' and Misses' Apron (3 Views), with Transfer
• Size: Small (12-14), 30-32" Bust
• Condition: Complete, Nice Condition; Comes with Uncut Transfer; Envelope Damaged on the Back

Design

A shaped band at the waist gives the slim-waisted effect, with a V-shaped bib above on straps that cross in back and a flared, gored skirt below with deep pockets. Every edge is bound in bias tape. View A is a rose print bound in blue; View B, yellow bound in green with the pepper appliqué on the waistband; View C, blue check bound in red with a red pepper and carrots. The envelope suggests carrying the binding out in pepper or carrot colors. Six pieces and one transfer.

A Moment in Fashion History

When McCall's 1944 catalog showed this apron, its copy tied conservation directly to charm, a sign of how deeply wartime thrift had worked its way into everyday sewing. A small scrap of red or green and a bit of orange were all the appliqué needed. Its number sits between McCall 917, in the 1942 catalog, and McCall 987, copyrighted 1942, and McCall was still promoting it in 1944, on page 30 of one catalog beside 917 and 1012, and on page 118 of the September catalog beside 987.

Illustration

The envelope front and back are shown as scanned, framed on our blue mat without retouching, so the artwork appears in its true color and condition. The front shows the three views, one holding a jar, with a back view of the crossed straps and a large drawing of the pepper and carrots. We've also included page 30 of the 1944 McCall catalog and page 118 of the September 1944 catalog, where it appears.

Connections

In McCall's September 1944 catalog, this apron shares page 118 with McCall 987, a slim princess-line apron trimmed with rick-rack, outline embroidery, and hanging tassels. Both make a lot of very little: 958 asks only for a small scrap of red or green and a bit of orange for its pepper and carrots, while 987 gets its festive look from rows of rick-rack and a few skeins of embroidery floss. We have McCall 987 in two sizes, Small, 32-34" Bust, and Large, 40-42" Bust.