1970s Vintage Polynesian Sewing Pattern 217 Misses Onaona Dress or Gown Sz 38 B
Original 1970s Polynesian Pattern No. 217 "Onaona" - Shift Dress or Maxi Gown
Original Polynesian Pattern No. 217, "Onaona," a two-length dress pattern, Size 16 (38" Bust). Uncut but Not Factory Folded. The same sleeveless, squared-neckline bodice and princess seaming can be finished as a clean A-line shift at above-the-knee length, or as a dramatic floor-length gown — both closed with a single long back zipper and finished with a fitted back belt tab.
Quick Facts
- Pattern Number: Polynesian Pattern No. 217 "Onaona"
- Year: While we have no confirmed date, the style points to the 1970s
- Garment: Ladies' Shift Dress or Maxi Gown (Two Lengths, One Pattern)
- Size: 16 (38" Bust, 29" Waist, 40" Hip)
- Condition: Uncut but Not Factory Folded
Design
Onaona is built from just six pieces — front, side back, back, back belt, and front/back facings — and gets its dramatic range from length alone rather than a change in construction. Cut short, it's a simple sleeveless A-line shift with a squared neckline, exactly the kind of easy day dress the era favored. Cut long, the same seaming becomes a striking floor-length gown, with a fitted back belt tab adding waist definition to what would otherwise be an unbroken vertical sweep of fabric. A 16" back zipper, hook and eye, and two buttons finish the closure either way.
A Moment in Fashion History
The short A-line shift and the floor-length maxi were two of the defining silhouettes of the era, often sold as options on the very same pattern the way Onaona does here — a practical acknowledgment that a woman might want the identical clean lines for an afternoon or for evening. This one comes from Polynesian Patterns, a regional Hawaii-based company whose bold geometric tapa-cloth-inspired prints, echoed in the border artwork on this very envelope, set its designs apart from mainland pattern houses of the same decade.
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 pattern envelope.
Connections
This pattern demonstrates how a single, clean silhouette could move between the youth-driven mini and the era's love of dramatic maxi length, all from one set of pattern pieces. Explore our ongoing exhibits showcasing the youth-powered revolution in fashion, Youthquake, and casual, easy-to-wear looks for women in motion, Sporty Looks for Active Gals.
