240 Rosie the Riveter

£16.00

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Misses XS-2XL

The heroic working women of World War II inspired this factory wardrobe of camp shirt, pleated slacks, and overalls with sweetheart bib. Rosie the Riveter was the fictional character pictured in posters to recruit women into the work force during World War II in the late 1940's.  Women started working in large numbers building airplanes, slacks or overalls, and "utility clothes" became the uniform of Rosie and her colleagues.  Folkwear pays tribute to the accomplishments of the heroic women with this hard working wardrobe of Shirt, Overalls, and Slacks to sew. This sewing pattern includes historical information and instructions for the knitted sweater and a crocheted snood to keep hair in place.

The Shirt is styled from men's sport shirts and is know today as a "camp" shirt.  It is a timeless shirt made in crisp white cotton, and lots of fun made in extra-large in bright tropical prints or patterns. 

The pleated Slacks have side pockets and a back zipper.  Straight legs fall smoothly from the hips for a clean look.  Add the sweetheart-shaped bodice for Overalls with straps that cross in the back.

The charming Sweater is knit in two colors in alternating garter and stockinette stitches. It has set-in sleeves and a round neck; and to keep your hair out of the machinery, a simple Snood to crochet completes the package.

This pattern is available as a Paper pattern and PDF pattern.  Choose the pattern format you want in the drop down menu.  The PDF pattern has instructions, introduction to the pattern, and files for copy shop (36” and A0), print at home (A4 and 8.5”x11”). This pattern also includes instructions for cardigan sweater knitting pattern and crocheted snood.

Suggested fabrics: For Shirt, choose medium-weight cotton, rayon, silk, or blends. For Slacks and Overalls, choose medium to heavyweight cotton, wool, blends, corduroy, denim, velvet, or velveteen.

Yardage chart (.pdf)

 

LEARN MORE:

  • This pattern has lots of ease, especially in the shirt, which was useful to working women who needed to do lots of moving around.  Just keep that in mind when determining your size (a muslin may be helpful too).  You may want to make the shirt a size or two smaller than you normally would.
  • Pattern Correction Note:  Sizing notation for XL and L are reversed on a few of the pattern pieces on older versions.
  • To make these overalls into a dress, we have a tutorial on our blog you can follow.