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1960s

Free Designer Pattern: Mary Quant Georgie Dress

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April 13, 2020

Georgie dress by Mary Quant (ca. 1962) Image: V&A.

As part of its recent Mary Quant exhibit, the V&A shared a pattern for an early Quant design. The Georgie dress dates to the Bazaar days, before Quant’s deal with Butterick.

Black and white fashion photo of a Mary Quant model holding a BAZAAR shopping bag and standing on a London street before a sign that reads WEST END A4 — Photo: Richard Davis. Image: Harper’s Bazaar.

King's Road plaque: Dame Mary Quant, Fashion Designer, opened her boutique Bazaar on this site in 1955 — King’s Road Bazaar plaque. Image: Fashion Network.

The V&A’s Georgie dress— purchased new in Truro, Cornwall — is striped cotton lined with cotton batiste.

'Georgie' dress, Mary Quant, 1962, England. Museum no. T.74-2018. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Given by Sarah E. Robinson — Georgie dress by Mary Quant, ca. 1962. Gift of Sarah E. Robinson. Image: V&A.

As Quant’s archive shows, the dress was also available in taffeta-lined chiffon as the Rosie, in black, pink, or jade.

1960s design for 'Georgie' and 'Rosie' dress by Mary Quant — Design for ‘Georgie’ and ‘Rosie’ dress by Mary Quant (ca. 1961-65) Image: V&A.

The Georgie pattern was developed from Quant’s original by London’s Alice & Co Patterns, a mother and daughter team with a connection to the museum: the younger generation, Lilia Prier Tisdall, works there as a costume display specialist.

Mary Quant’s Georgie dress in Ray Stitch fabric. Sewing pattern designed by Alice and Co Patterns. Image © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The dress has a surplice bodice, three-quarter sleeves, pleated skirt, and sash belt. For the original’s lively, reverse stripe effect, cut the skirt on a different grain than the sleeves and bodice.

Technical drawing for Mary Quant’s Georgie dress. Image: V&A.

The pattern gives detailed instructions, including for the pleated trim.

Download the Georgie dress pattern. (Instructions here.) The pattern has 7 pieces, arranged in 3 formats: A0, A4, and US Letter. Test square included to check scale.

Size: Two size ranges, UK 6–16 and 18–22

Yardage: 4m (4.5 yds) of 45″ fabric, 1m (1 1/8 yds) lining

Recommended fabrics: Soft cotton, cotton blends, or glazed cotton.

Seam allowance: 1cm (3/8″)

Notions: 56 cm (22″) flat zipper, interfacing for belt.

Notes: Skirt, frill, and belt pieces are to be drafted.

Click here for more instalments in my Free Designer Patterns series.

Georgie dress by Mary Quant, ca. 1962. Gift of Sarah E. Robinson. Image: V&A.

1960s, designer, exhibitions, fashion, free pattern, Mary Quant, sewing, V&A, vintage

5 responses to “Free Designer Pattern: Mary Quant Georgie Dress”

Cassandra Phillips

April 13, 2020

You’re amazing as always, Sarah. What a fantastic blog on a ground-breaking designer.

Reply
Deborah Jensen

April 13, 2020

Thank you for a fabulous pattern. There is a documentary out narrated by Michael Caine about the “Swinging 60’s” that features some interviews with Mary Quant. Well worth a watch. Can’t wait to sew this up!

Reply
Mary B.

April 13, 2020

Thank you soooo much! As always, your blog is a delight to read.

Reply
Shirley Avants

April 17, 2020

Made this dress for my daughter-in-law. It was easy to make, fit beautifully without adjustments, and was such a pleasure to recreate history. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Shirley Avants
U.S. Army Veteran

Reply
Victoria Line

May 10, 2022

I went to the Mary Quant exhibition at the V&A. The Georgie dress is a download that remains on my computer. Anecdotally, I have a length of Crimplene made by ICI for Mary Quant. It’s otherwise a double knit and I have yet to find a pattern that is worthy.

Reply