Original circa 1951 New York Pattern No. 915 - Left Side Closing Dress

Original circa 1951 New York Pattern No. 915 for a women's trumpet-skirt dress that closes along the left side with a long line of buttons. Choose a high neck with a round collar or a square neckline; long, short, or three-quarter sleeves; and a long or short flounce that flares from the slim skirt, all finished with a removable belt. Factory Folded and Unused.

Quick Facts

• Pattern Number: New York No. 915
• Year: Circa 1951
• Garment: Ladies' and Misses' Left Side Closing Dress
• Size: 14 (32" Bust, 35" Hip)
• Condition: Factory Folded

Design

New York Pattern 915 closes asymmetrically along the left side, with a line of buttons running from the shoulder down through the bodice and onto the skirt. The bodice can be made with a high neck and a rounded collar or with a square neckline, and the sleeves come long, short with turned-back cuffs, or three-quarter length. The attached three-piece skirt runs slim to below the hip, then flares into a two-piece flounce in a long or short version, giving the dress its trumpet shape; the hem measures about 92 inches with the long flounce and 96 inches with the short one in size 16, with a 46-inch finished length from the neck. A removable belt marks the waist. The 14-piece pattern suggests rayons, worsted, linen, faille, lightweight woolens, piqué, shantung, silk crepe, velveteen, chambray, or percale.

A Moment in Fashion History

Not every New Look skirt was a full circle. The trumpet skirt kept the hips close and saved its volume for the hem, where a flounce swung out around the calves, so the figure read narrow through the middle and lively at the bottom. Produced circa 1951, New York 915 pairs that line with a belted waist and the long, mid-calf length of the period, and its side closing with buttons from shoulder to hip turns the fastening itself into the trim.

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 New York Pattern envelope.

Connections

This pattern is part of our ongoing exhibit, The Ladies of the New Look - a growing collection celebrating Dior's 1947 silhouette, remade for the home seamstress. Come take a look.