McCall Special Sewing Patterns: A Series of Collector's Rarities

In my last pattern research post, I shared with you my recent vintage sewing pattern find, McCall 2380 "The New McCall School Pattern" from circa 1922.

This sparked a marvelous discussion between myself and my sister sewing pattern nerds about other McCall Special patterns. You see, this was not the first McCall Special pattern that I had seen. There have been others, but in my last post I really wanted this sweet little beauty to shine in a spotlight all her own.

My earliest McCall Special find was also my first, nearly a decade ago.

This Doll Special pattern is made for a 14-inch doll and is referred to as a "fac-simile" copy of the McCall Girls' Dress pattern No. 4816, likely scaled down for the doll version. McCall 4816 appears in the September 1912 McCall's Magazine, though it is also fair to assume that this doll pattern version may have been offered in 1913 as well.

I was unable to find any McCall advertisements for it, but this is definitely a treat if you're looking for obscure and rare antique sewing patterns to add to your collection. That is, if you can find one.

My next McCall Special pattern is my favorite. McCall Special W.I. No. 1 was manufactured by McCall and "Made Expressly for the Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences Scranton, PA." I estimate this pattern to be from about 1918 (a small window of time indicated by the McCall Style Patterns stamp at the upper right of the envelope).

This pattern is a rare gem in any collector's book, checking both the 1-off "Special" and Woman's Institute boxes in one tidy little package.

I imagine that this plain waist pattern would have been used in conjunction with the Woman's Institute coursework book Tailored and Lingerie Blouses.

But wait, there's more.

SHE HAS A SISTER!

The pattern above is the late 1910s McCall Special W.I. No. 2 Ladies' 2 or 3 Piece Skirt, also "Made Expressly for the Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences Scranton, PA."

And so, if my above hunch is correct, then this skirt pattern would have been used in conjunction with the Woman's Institute coursework book Tailored Skirts.

And last but not least, I present the VERY RARE McCall Special ladies' dress pattern Also made expressly for the Woman's Institute.

This pattern I estimate to be from between 1923-1926, based on both the stye of the envelope, and the dress illustrated.

I looked in all of my Woman's Institute advertising booklets and couldn't find any reference to any of these special patterns, but I need to schedule a day to dig through a decade of Inspiration and Fashion Service magazines to see if it is instead advertised there.

Also, isn't this just the cutest little shirt-waist dress? I love the elbow-length cuffed sleeves, but the most interesting factor is that the illustrations show this pattern also made up as a separate blouse and skirt if you're more interested in separates!

How about you? Have you ever found one of these, or one I don't have pictured? Feel free to drop me a message to show off your find!