If you like vintage patterns, you've probably come across the Walk-away dress, a pattern first produced by Butterick in 1952 (the same year as Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing was published!). Legend has it that the pattern was such a hit that Butterick stopped production on all other patterns until backorders for the Walk-away could be filled.The pattern was reissued in recent years as part of Butterick's retro line. Home sewists went crazy for it all over again, making it a top pattern of 2007 on Pattern Review (with 27 reviews to date!).
True confession time: I just don't like it all that much. I've seen some cute versions of it, and some not so cute. I can see why people are attracted to it. But everytime I try to envision making it, it just looks like a hospital gown in my mind.
Butterick did make a later version called the Saturday Morning dress, which I think is vastly improved. Look at the interesting neckline and curved midriff! The idea is the same, but the execution seems more elegant and flattering to me. (It's interesting too, that the two patterns are so close in number, the Walk-Away is #6015, and the Saturday Morning is #6150.)
The only problem is that it also seems to be terribly rare, as I can't get my grubby little hands on a copy of it.
Oh, how I want this pattern! Please let me know if you come across it, that is, if you don't buy it for yourself first. In which case I wouldn't blame you, though I'd be very sad. Sigh.
So, what are your thoughts on the Walk-Away dress? Yea or Nay?
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42 comments:
I totally agree with you about the walkaway dress. I have seen it around the blog world alot but I am just not a fan. I like the second pattern you showed. No wonder its so rare. If I had a copy of there I wouldn't be selling it either.
I have definitely seen some not-so-cute versions of it, but either because the maker doesn't have the same (or any ;)) taste in fabric/colors as I (which can happen to any pattern), or because they used the modern repro pattern which a lot of people seem to have size issues with, so it's big here or bunches there.
That second pattern is so cute, but would be so bad for a short gal like me!
I have the Walkaway (the repro one) but I haven't ended up making it. I think I like it more as a concept. I can see that from a garment-care perspective, it might have been appealing to gals back in the day because you can basically iron it out flat very easily (I have a few baby-dresses patterns from the era that have the same concept). I don't think it would end up looking too hot on me... definitely like the look of the Saturday Morning one though!!!
I wonder how Butterick decided which of their retro styles they would reproduce... and I wonder, if we mounted some kind of internet campaign, if they would bring back Saturday Morning?!?
I don't wear sleeveless because of some major scars, so I never seriously considered the walkaway dress.
I've seen some fairly elegant versions, but there is something about it I can't stand, even if I did put sleeves on it, and so I've never bothered with it. It's a big Bleh. I can't work up excitement either way on it.
The other dress. Very cute.
I have the pattern for it but I haven't yet got around to making it. Some of the reviews I've read of it haven't been exactly glowing, so for right now I'm just satisfied with looking at the pretty picture on the pattern envelope.
The walkaway dress has never been one of my favorites. I do like the Saturday Morning dress. That is very cute.
I actually quite like it but I can see how it could go terribly wrong. The second pattern is more to my taste, though.
-Andi x
I haven't seen the Saturday morning dress before, but I'll be looking out for it now!
I like the idea of the walk-away, but I haven't seen any in the blog world that looked as cute as the drawing on the pattern. It seems to have some issues as a design, or perhaps you just need a tiny corseted waist to wear it.
The Saturday dress looks like it could be adapted for my figure better than the walk-away could be, so if I see it anywhere, I'll be grabbing it.
Hi Gerie, I have just found your blog and really like what you are doing. I am completely with you here. I saw the saturday morning dress before I saw the walkaway dress, and have wondered why you don't see it mentioned more often.
It should be a really easy pattern to copy, for example based on a vintage sheath dress pattern. You would just have to extend the back piece to the front - from the little picture it looks like there are darts in the side. You only need the top from the front piece; the bottom is simply a circle skirt. But of course, I know that it is more fun if you can hold of the original pattern.
See, i loved the walkaway dress when i first came across that pattern. Its just the right thing for a summer sunday in my mind. However, i made it in a beautiful soft green gingham and it just looked horrendous. The most unflattering of dresses in all areas. A vast amount of material now left to hang on a hanger in my wardrobe, never to be worn. I may try to adapt it when i can bring myself to look at it again, but i think it may just be worth saving the material and transforming it into something more beautiful! The second dress is stunning. I wish i could get my hands on a copy of that too! x
Positively nay (if that's not a contadiction in terms.) - Dusky's comment confirms what I suspected. I've never understood how one would fit the walkaway dress, and that aside, it looks to me like it requires a proper girdle underneath even more than most 50s styles.
I really like your blog, by the way - I've been reading along quietly for a couple of weeks now. I'm afraid I'm even going to copy your navy dupion skirt.
I've seen the walk-away dress made up. I think it can work, but only on a slim body. It absolutely does not work on a chunky silhouette.
I have the Walkaway dress pattern, and the notions to make a version but I haven't started yet. I've heard alot of people complaining about it, and I will see how it goes...but again, its a vintage dress. Its mean for a WAIST. Which alot of modern women don't have so much of, so in order for it to fit well...some sort of girdle might be needed for alot of people. Hence, people probably don't like it (thought personally I love girdles and corsets and such).
Also, it can be a very dowdy dress design very easily. I'm making it with cotton, so it will definitly have a "house-dress" sort of vibe no matter how well I make it fit.
I would have to say mostly Nay. Like a lot of people, I have the repro, bought years ago, and have never made it up. I have seen way too many photos of it made up and it just looks so unflattering. (Not to mention negative blog reviews.) I even have the fabric I bought to make it still sitting on my shelf!
However, I've also seen it mentioned that the remake is pretty altered from the original -- even more so than most of the repros, so that could have something to do with it. Of course now I can't remember where I read that, so I could be totally wrong!
Hey, check out this version:
http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Butterick_7348
The halter-effect neckline seems much more flattering; and from the construction drawing it looks like they've made the underskirt far more secure and less prone to ride up. I would give this one a try, definitely!
I personally think that you would make an awesome version of the Walkaway Dress and should reconsider making one. The most successful ones that I've seen have used amazing cuts of fabric in an awesome print and solid and had awesome buttons.
With a quick Google image search, I found some versions of the Walk-Away Dress that were flattering and some that were not. It seems to me that the main keys are to use the actual vintage pattern rather than the repro, and the woman's body shape. It looks flattering on someone who is relatively slender but amply chested -- a bit Marilyn Monroe -- where it gives a sort of corset effect. Still, even when it is flattering, it's a bit "yodeling in the Swiss alps".
I was unable to find any photos of the Saturday Morning Dress. To me, it just looks like a dress with an apron. A very cute apron, to be sure, but it doesn't really speak to me.
I've made the walkaway dress and hated it. After what seemed like miles and miles of tri-folded bias tape, I came out with a frumpy hospital gown. I found the shoulder straps too wide, and the neckline far too high and the overall cut just a little off. I would go for the sunday morning dress and it seems to solve a lot of my problems with the walkaway.
I really like that line of contrasting fabric down the back of the Saturday Morning dress. I think that alone would make me lean toward that one!
Nay. The walk away dress never looks as nice as the picture on the pattern. Maybe you need to have a 21" waist to pull it off. I have seen a few of these done up and most of them look like aprons. All that bias trim around the edges is a lot of work. I question the coverage under the arm. I don't see how this will work.
Two of the three dresses on the walkaway pattern remind me of aprons. I do like the black and white one although it will accentuate the waist...the waist that most of us don't have today.
I like the Saturday Morning dress. Will definitely be on the look out for that one.
I made the walk-away pattern up a few years ago. It was OK, but definitely not my favorite. I had to make a lot of adjustments to the pattern before it fit correctly, and even then I just didn't like the way it looked on. The second version is lovely, and I have a feeling it would be a little more flattering. ;)
Crazy for the Sat Morning dress! It's the curved waistline that does it for me--so much more interesting to look at than a simple empire waist. I like the idea of the Walkaway, which I own but haven't sewn up, but know already that the extended shoulder would need some serious adjusting for me--that's where the pattern falls apart, and sadly, I see the same issue on the Sat Morning dress... If only I had narrower shoulders!
I'm with you about the walkaway dress. It's so overrated. How does it stay on if you're moving while wearing it? It seems like something like that would fall off or shift into some awkward exposing position...
It would be interesting if someone made both the vintage and repro versions and commented on any differences, don't you think? (I have both, but the vintage one is too small-I bought it anyway at an estate sale for nothing.) I have a repro version of the dress, and no matter what I have tried, it doesn't flatter me at ALL. Hoping to re-purpose the fabric someday!
Totally agree with Sadie - I'd love to see someone actually seriously compare them. Sadie, have you ever just laid the two out to try and figure out what they changed (if anything?)
Also wondering how it would look if both skirts were full!
I love the saturday morning dress! All the more since to me the walkaway dress has always seemed to be worn with the back on the front; it must have to do with the way the waist is enlighted: I simply don't like it that way. Plus I wonder if the pannel on the front wouldn't fly away and let people see what's under your skirt... So it's a big Nay to me, althought I quite fancy her little sister the 'whirl away dress': http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Butterick_5368
The saturday morning one has such lovely details that I wonder why they didn't repro this one instead. Less famous but gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing your experiences, everyone!
EmilyKate, I like your idea to start a campaign to bring back the Saturday Morning dress! As long as they didn't mess it up by screwing around with the sizing. :)
A lovely reader e-mailed me with the offer to borrow her Saturday Morning dress pattern. I'm so excited! I'll have to grade it up a few sizes, but I don't think it should be too difficult.
Carolyn, I love a challenge, so now I just might have to make the walkaway too! As an experient . . .
sarah, that halter version is pretty awesome! I like how there's one version that's a wiggle dress/overskirt combo like we've been discussing here.
You'll find an example here...
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=119224.0
I would say that it isn't for everyone, and the design would be problematic, were a stiff breeze to come along, but it is definitely a pattern for easy self-expression...
Even more than for most patterns, choice of fabric and trim would be essential to pull off such a style. I think we can trust you with that :-).
However I don't think you should get hypnotized by the apparent differences between the walkaway and the sat am... most likely what you're seeing is a difference in -illustration- due to the time difference between the two, not a real difference in pattern. Take a look at the sewretro blog and count the number of times where someone asks 'did you alter the skirt to be narrower' only to be answered 'not at all, the envelope makes it look much fuller'... I think most of what you'd get from the contemporary version is reliable sizing, rather than guessing in the vintage versions.
I agree about the walkaway dress. I'm not a fan of the neckline being cut off at the widest part of your arms. The neckline also doesn't look very flattering for the busty among us. The Saturday morning is much better in both respects. I want to picnic in that dress!
I think the black & white version has some merit, but it looks a little tricky - to me that means it's got some problems. But maybe this gets into the drawing of the dress on the pattern envelope. No one has a waist that small, no matter what the optical illusion!
Hi, this blog is fun!
I made the repro Walkaway for my pre-teen daughter ( she picked the pattern ) and she loves it, so twirly and easy to put on.
Had to adjust for a girl shape though, and it was good enough for her, no problem.
Lisa A in AZ
Hate it! Never understood the mania.
It was funny to see your post today. My local Fabric Store has Butterick patterns on sale this week, and I thought it would be a great time to stock up on patterns. As I was going through their patterns I noticed the Walkaway Repro pattern, and considered it but to me it looks a lot like an apron. Nothing I would consider glamourous or that I would want to wear.
FYI
I made the walkaway dress and had the same problem. It just doesn't fit well and I thought that the bias tape around the edges would be far easier than any other kind of finishing but my G-d.
The waist line is too low, the shoulders too wide as is the skirt. I've a sneaking suspicion that it was meant to the work with a crinoline skirt underneath as the fullness (especially in larger sizes) is no good.
I want to make it again but with significant alterations.
Also the underskirt does ride up especially when I'm wearing tights. It was such a disappointment.
I love the look of the pattern but in concept only. I think it might look good on a young girl who wasn't too full in the bust. Or it might need to be made with a tight fitted corset to keep the lines crisp. Otherwise I am afraid it would look off balanced. The second pattern has a much more tailored yet anyone could wear it look.
I also made the walkaway, it looked so pretty on the packet. My dress was just horrible, so u.g.l.y!!! There was just no way to fix it and make it any better. But i might try making the Saturday morning dress, it looks a bit less like a hospital gown. Great discussion!!
I found a very cool ebay listing for a walkaway variant:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOVELY-VTG-1950s-WRAP-FRONT-DRESS-Sewing-Pattern-14-32_W0QQitemZ360210773009QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53de3c3411#ht_2847wt_948
Thought it would be an interesting thing to see. I definitely think it's a cooler pattern.
In the autobiography "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay" about a trip to Europe in the 1920s, Cornelia Otis skinner writes about a dress that could possibly be an ancestress. The Google books clip is here: http://books.google.com/books?id=MUUp2Eu1CQQC&lpg=PP1&ots=m0FJgm67Es&dq=our%20hearts%20were%20young%20and%20gay%20dress&pg=PA205#v=onepage&q=dress&f=false
I have the B6836 that wraps to the front and the repro Walkaway. Also a few other mail order versions. I think 6836 has the most potential for wearability.
I carefully altered the walkaway for a full bust and narrow back. I basically built a belt into the waist area and it closes with a cummerbund buckle. Hate the dress. I wear it plenty as a housedress, it is cool and comfortable and twirly, but it doesn't sit right under my arms. Also the front "sheath" panel always looks shorter than the rest of the dress. I might make another one or two for housedresses, but I'd never wear it anywhere further away than my backyard. I really really wanted this to be a holy grail of a dress, but it wasn't meant to be.
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