Ladies Home Journal 3923: 1920s Uncut Girls Dress Size 12 Vintage Sewing Pattern
Circa 1923 Ladies' Home Journal Pattern No. 3923 - Girls' One-Piece Dress
Circa 1923 Ladies' Home Journal Pattern No. 3923, confirmed via the May 1923 issue, for a girls' one-piece dress, size 12, slipped on over the head with an inset piece at each shoulder. The lower side edges of front and back extend and stitch together to form draped cascades, or may be finished with a plain side seam instead. Short kimono sleeves extend to full length with a one-piece lower section gathered to wristbands. Factory Folded and Unused.
Quick Facts
- Pattern Number: Ladies' Home Journal No. 3923
- Year: Circa 1923, confirmed via May 1923 Ladies' Home Journal magazine
- Garment: Girls' One-Piece Dress, Cascade or Side-Seam Option
- Size: 12 (30" Breast)
- Condition: Factory Folded and Unused
Design
Pattern 3923 builds a five-piece slip-over dress around a distinctive shoulder inset, joining the front and back at a seamed insert rather than a plain shoulder seam. View A lets the lower side edges of front and back extend past the body and stitch together, forming soft draped cascades at each hip; View B simplifies this into an ordinary side seam. The short kimono sleeve can be extended to full length with a separate lower section gathered into a wristband. A narrow self sash ties at the back.
A Moment in Fashion History
This pattern was featured in the May 1923 Ladies' Home Journal (page 72), in a piece on dresses "made from straight pieces" - simple garment shapes built mostly from rectangles of fabric rather than fitted, curved pattern pieces. The magazine's sample was cut from colorful cretonne, its straight front and back joined by contrasting shoulder insets also used for the back-tie belt and sleeve bindings, with the dress opening at the left shoulder. The pattern remained available at least through 1924, when it reappeared in that year's Ladies' Home Journal catalog alongside a coordinating embroidery transfer sold separately.
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 Ladies' Home Journal pattern envelope.
Connections
View our entire Ladies' Home Journal collection for a rare glimpse of how sewing patterns were designed and marketed for the whole family.
