Folkwear 258 Town and Country Dress

Buy the 258 Town and Country Dress sewing pattern from Folkwear. This charming halter dress (circa 1949) is based on a gown by American designer Claire McCardell. McCardell’s version was floor length and made of chocolate brown taffeta with a black grosgrain belt and a black organza bow at the neck. The front was adorned with a row of rhinestone buttons.

This pattern offers two neck options: one for the bow tie fold and one without. You can make your dress in anything from summery cotton prints to luxurious silk or velvet, and in lengths from floor to thigh high. Bare shoulders are beautiful, but if you’re not convinced, this dress also looks great with a short bolero jacket.

The dress has a side zip and on-seam pockets and fastens with hooks and eyes at the back of the neck. The pattern also includes a pattern piece and instructions for making and tying the bow.

This sewing pattern is available to buy in the following formats:

– PDF (available to download immediately after purchase). What is a PDF?

– PDF pattern + Printed A0 copy shop (We print out the A0 pattern sheets, but you’ll need to download the digital instructions, as we don’t print these. The PDF files will be emailed immediately after purchase, and the A0 pattern sheets will be dispatched next working day). What is Copy Shop?

Suggested fabrics: 

Dress: Medium-weight cotton, rayon, silk, wool challis, and blends.

Bow: Light, crisp fabrics such as organza or taffeta.

Fabric requirements: Yardages are given for fabrics without nap, pile, or one-way design.

Dress: 45″ (115 cm) wide fabric: 3 3/4 - 6 yd (3.4 - 5.5 m) // 60″ (150 cm) wide fabric: 3 1/2 - 3 5/8 yd (3.2 - 3.3 m).

Optional bow: 1 yd (0.91 m).

Note: For each 1" (2.5 cm) you wish to lengthen or shorten the skirt, add or subtract 2" (5 cm) to yardages given.

Sizing: XS – 3XL (approx. UK 4/6 – 28/30, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size chart and finished garment measurements.

Notions: Thread; five 3/8"-1/2" (9-13 mm) buttons; three sets of small hook and eye closures; 1 yd (91 cm) narrow stay tape; 14"-15" (36-38 cm) zipper; purchased belt or belt kit to make 2" (5 cm) wide belt (optional).

PDF pattern includes: Instructions; US letter/A4 print-at-home pattern (35 pages); 36″ wide copy shop pattern (1 sheet); A0 copy shop pattern (2 sheets) // Layers: Yes (print-at-home and A0 patterns only) // Projector file: No.

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