Original 1950 McCall Pattern No. 1578 - Flower Pot Halter Apron

Original 1950 McCall Pattern No. 1578 for a misses' halter apron designed for women's kitchen and hostess wear, with wide shaped halter straps, a full ruffled skirt, and a flowerpot pocket sprouting appliquéd and embroidered flowers. One Size. Complete Nice Condition, 7 of 7 pieces, with the uncut transfer included (it shows some handling). The envelope is worn and has been professionally repaired.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: McCall No. 1578
• Year: 1950; also found in the January 1952 McCall's Economy Group catalog
• Garment: Misses' Halter Apron with Flower Pot Pocket (2 Views), with Transfer
• Size: One Size
• Condition: Complete Nice Condition, 7 of 7 Pieces; Uncut Transfer, Shows Some Handling; Envelope Worn and Professionally Repaired with Lineco Acid-Free Archival Tissue and Acid-Free Adhesive

Design

McCall 1578 is a full bib apron framed by two wide halter straps. Each strap is cut on a curve and faced at the front, so together they form a broad V across the shoulders, almost like a shawl collar over the dress, and the back view on the envelope shows them tied behind the neck. Below the bib the apron flares into a full skirt finished with a deep gathered ruffle, and tie strings close it at the waist. The star of the design is the pocket, cut and faced in the shape of a flowerpot, with flowers growing up out of it onto the bib: the blossoms are fabric appliqué (one 4½" x 9" piece of material), the stems are bias binding, and the details are embroidered in six-strand cotton from the transfer. View A makes the apron from ⅞ yard with the straps, ruffle, and pocket in a contrast fabric; View B is cut all in one fabric and edged with 4½ yards of rick rack. Seven pattern pieces: apron, halter strap, front facing, tie string, pocket, pocket facing, and ruffle.

A Moment in Fashion History

Around 1950, a good apron was meant to be seen. Aprons had become a little wardrobe of their own, worn for hostessing as much as for housework, and McCall filled its apron line with novelty pockets and appliqué that turned a practical cover-up into something to show off. The flowerpot pocket, with flowers climbing out onto the bib, is one of the most charming of these. McCall also made a selling point of its "Electric Blue" transfer, which the envelope promises will stamp on both dark and light material, so the flowers could be embroidered on any fabric the sewer chose. A store stamp on the front shows this copy was sold in Portland, Oregon, and McCall was still offering the design two years later in its January 1952 Economy Group catalog.

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. View A is shown in white with sky-blue straps, ruffle, and flowerpot pocket holding yellow blossoms, again in red plaid with a black ruffle from the back to show the halter tie, and in yellow and green; View B is red polka dots edged in red rick rack with a red flowerpot pocket. The retailer's purple stamp from Portland, Oregon, sits beside the McCall name. We've also included the January 1952 McCall's Economy Group catalog page where it appears.

Connections

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