McCall's 1895: 1950s Rare Uncut Girls Nurses Uniform Size 4 Vintage Sewing Pattern

Original 1954 McCall's Pattern No. 1895 - Girls' Nurse Costume Original 1954 McCall's Pattern No. 1895 for a girls' nurse costume with dress, cap, and cape. The button-front dress carries a red-cross appliqué pocket embroidered "NURSE," a whole belt, and patch pockets, paired with a classic nurse's cap and a navy cape faced in red. Includes enough transfer for two costumes. Factory Folded and Unused, with Uncut Transfer. Quick Facts Pattern Number: McCall's No. 1895 Year: 1954 Garment: Girls' Nurse Costume (Dress, Cap, and Cape) Size: 4 (23" Breast, 21" Waist) Condition: Factory Folded, Comes with Uncut Transfer Design McCall's 1895 turns a child's pretend play into a complete uniform. View A is a button-front dress with a pointed collar, short cuffed sleeves, and a flared skirt, finished with a whole belt held by a belt strap. An upper pocket carries the costume's signature detail: a red cotton cross appliqué embroidered with "NURSE" in white six-strand cotton, supplied by McCall's Blue Stamps transfer. Two lower patch pockets complete the dress. The matching cap is trimmed with black bias fold tape. View B adds a shoulder cape in blue with a contrasting red facing, a small collar, and two strap closures fastened with brass buttons. The envelope suggests poplin, percale, broadcloth, or gingham for the dress, with flannelette or gabardine as further options for the cape. A Moment in Fashion History Dressing up as a nurse was one of the most popular forms of pretend play for American girls in the 1950s, when nursing was among the most visible and admired careers open to women. This costume borrows faithfully from the real uniform of the day: the navy cape lined in red, the white dress, and the starched cap with a black band, which at many American nursing schools marked a graduate nurse. The envelope's illustration shows one girl carrying a doll dressed in a matching nurse outfit, a charming reminder of how closely costume, play, and imagination were tied together. Illustration The cover illustration has been digitally restored and enhanced by Judy Yates to highlight the original fashion artwork while preserving the character and artistry of this historic McCall's pattern envelope. Connections This pattern is part of our limited-time exhibit, Costumes for All Ages from All Eras — masquerades, pageants and make-believe from the 1910s through the 1970s. Come take a look before it closes.