Roadside diners became quite
popular during the 1940s and 1950s as hangouts for teenagers looking for a
place to grab a burger and a milk shake. Groups of teens would sit in a blue
vinyl booth which lined one side or on one of eighteen barstools along a long
Formica counter while the uniformed waitress’ took their orders. Others would
stop in for a piece of pecan pie or frozen custard.
The waitresses behind the counter
would be dressed in typical diner attire consisting of a shirtdress and apron
sporting a notepad in one hand and a pen ready in the other ready to take your
order. Usually the dresses were in the colors of the diner, such as a green
with white trim or the popular red and white checked or polka dot.
The look of the 1950s diner
uniform was a close fitting shirtdress buttoning down the front with
contrasting collar and trims, short sleeves and pockets. The shirtdress is very
typical of the era portraying the hour-glass figure. With the cinched in
waistlines, and accentuated hips and busts, the style was a decidedly mature
one.
Recently I was approached to
make such dresses for a local diner uniform. The picture I was presented was
the typical close fitting shirtdress with a waist band, collar, short sleeves
and contrasting trims.
The pattern of choice was McCalls
pattern 6696, a shirtwaist dress with a 50s flair, Perfect for a Diner Uniform
look. Quickly making up a sample I discovered a discrepancy in the size of the
collar and the collar band. The full size pieces clearly did not match nor did
the collar band fit the neckline of the dress. Measuring the seam line
confirmed the error.
This is the right hand side of the Collar and Band.
In the above photo the right pin is the Collar center front.
The left pin marks the Band center front.
Clearly the Collar and Band do not match.
After contacting McCalls by
email and explaining the problem along with taking pictures of the pattern
pieces, I could see it was going to require a phone call. Unfortunately the
only way to contact the company was by email as no phone number was listed on
their website. One last email requesting the number resulted in a McCalls consumers’
service person calling me.
After explaining the problem to
the consumers’ service person, she told me that she personally pinned the
tissue pattern and everything matched. She also told me to read the
instructions and it clearly stated how the pattern pieces went together.
This is the left hand side of the pattern pieces of the Band and Collar.
The center fronts are right on! No problem matching up the markings.
Politely I again explained
the problem and asked if we could please establish a right and left for the two
pattern pieces, Collar #18 & Collar Band #19, which we were able to do.
Pinning the left side we agreed that it matched at Center Front, Shoulder and
Center Back. Moving onto the right side the consumers’ service person grew very
quiet and said I will be right back.
‘Right back’ resulted in five
minutes on hold only to be cut off. Quickly calling the number back resulted in
no one answering. I could do nothing but wait for a return call.
After 25 minutes the same
consumers’ service person called back and explained that she spoke with the
pattern graders showing them the problem. After what I am sure was a quick
meeting with the manager and the graders they discovered that OOPS! They had an
error in the pattern.
Their plan was to grade the pieces and then
send me the corrected pieces. Meanwhile I could use the correct side of the
pattern cutting the pieces on the fold. Originally I had stated in more than
one email to please fold the pieces in half and they would see that they do not
match.
When cutting collars and
bands, I do not like cutting on the fold, I would much rather use a full
pattern piece. Luckily I can do just that.
It is nice to know that we
can contact pattern companies when there is a problem and someone will most
likely be able to help. I can’t help but wonder about those who have made the
dress and remain clueless.
Stop back for a finished look
at the diner uniforms.
Update
How to make the correction yourself:
Fold the Collar Band #19 in half
at Center Back, and note that one half is longer than the other. Use the
LONGER half of the Collar Band #19 and cut the Collar Band #19 on the
fold at Center Back. You will need to cut two on the fold.
Hope this helps and good luck!
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