In 1952, Butterick Pattern Co experienced a phenomenon it had not known since the 'Garibaldi Suit' of the late 1860's. They released pattern #6015, and dubbed it the 'walk-away' dress, because it was so easy you could "Start it after breakfast... walk-away in it for luncheon!". It's simple yet flattering wrap design and easy construction were what made it so popular.
The envelope back states: Here’s the smartest idea of the season….a dress that has only back, waist and shoulder seams, that has its back wrapped around to the front for a sheath-and-overskirt look. Binding finishes the edges. Wear it for any occasion.
Sales of the pattern were so great, that at one point manufacturing of all other patterns ceased, and only the 'walk-away' dress was produced until all back-orders for this dress could be filled.
The pattern was reproduced and released in the 90's under Buttericks "Retro" line, but the originals remain elusive to most collectors. Of the thousands of patterns I have collected and sold I have only had one.
4 comments:
isn't that a gorgeous dress? and in the contrasting colors, it whittles away the waist to nothingness. no wonder it was popular.
it's such a striking thing and i think of the later patterns, those "make it in an hour" hideous monstrosities ~ nothing like this beauty. they should keep it on perpetual order.
I made this dress and it took me longer than a morning to make it! ;) I'm not too keen on the way the front skirt doesn't fall into place when you get up from a chair, I have to twitch it a few times to get it right. But maybe if I wore a slip... :D I want to try it again so I can 'fix' the problem I had with the first one I made.
I made it myself. For a small unbusty petite girl, I found this unflattering. Jealous that this is not the dress for me. However, I am a proud owner of an original print. And It is a special pattern in my life. Very beautiful!
I've just made this dress and it is lovely, but you really do need the under pinnings to make it work. belly
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