Become a Threads Insider and get everything
Enjoy exclusive access to hundreds of how-to videos, project tutorials, and in-depth sewing content.
New Threads Insider members enjoy exclusive access to the online archive of every issue we’ve ever published, a one-year subscription to the print magazine, plus every video, every article, every project, and more. Current members, upgrade to the new Insider membership to add the online archive and print subscription.
Threads Magazine Online Archive
Browse every issue of Threads starting with the first issue. That’s 35 years of content from our award-winning magazine ($99.95 retail value).
Print Subscription
Get a one-year subscription to Threads magazine delivered to your door, plus digital editions.
-
Insider Articles
Access over 270 in-depth articles (even those out of print) so you can dig deeper on a huge range of topics.
-
Insider Projects
Enjoy access to over 100 exclusive Threads Insider projects.
Insider-Only Videos
Watch hundreds of expert videos, including techniques and details you won't find anywhere else.
Threads 360 Garment Viewer
See garments from all sides to get the full impact of the piece.
A Contemporary Make of a 1950’s Party Dress | 360-Degree View
Simplicity 8731
This is a 1950s vintage-style ensemble with a trapeze-silhouette coat and fit-and-flare dress. The unlined sleeveless dress has a square neckline in front and V-neckline in back, a highly fitted bodice with an inset center-front panel with two deep pleats below, side bust darts, soft pleats under the bustline at the bodice inner corners, and vertical darts in front and back. It flares out to a skirt that is generously pleated from the side front to center back. The extras include a narrow bias trim along the short front empire seam, tiny bows below the bust and along the center-back invisible zipper closure, and an inner waist stay. The lined swing coat has no closure, three-quarter-length sleeves, a raised neckline with a stand-up shawl collar, front cut-on sleeves, and shoulder darts. In back, there are neckline darts, a set-in sleeve with double elbow darts, a substantial yoke embellished with an inset curved band topped off with a dainty bow, and a deep center-back pleat. Both garments end around midcalf. The sewing is intermediate. Stitching the bodice to the pleated skirt, especially where the inside corner meets the outside corner, can be challenging. Our tester says:- The illustration for step 8 of the dress construction shows the seam allowances between pattern pieces 6 and 7 pressed open. However, the allowances should be pressed toward center front to accommodate the French tack in step 13.
- Instructions in step 9 could be clearer on forming the final pleats on either side of center back when attaching the bodice to the skirt. When doing so, be sure to leave a 5/8-inch-wide seam allowance unpleated along the center back to accommodate the zipper.
- Step 17 would benefit from an additional illustration showing the turned sleeve just before being sewn.