PatternVault

In 1977, Peggy Dillard became the second Black woman to make the cover of U.S. Vogue. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Dillard (b. 1956) went on to become an artist and entrepreneur; she started modelling when she was a fashion student. Inside her first cover issue, she also appears in a Bob Richardson pattern editorial.

The patterns are two Vogue French Boutique designs by Christian Aujard, Vogue 1687 and Vogue 1685, both edited by Vogue to show the trend for cozy, oversized dresses. (“If you sew, here’s how to get ahead of the game.”) The shirt dress is a rhubarb pinwale Crompton cotton corduroy, while the wrap dress is a beige cashmere/silk knit from Sewing Associates.

In the back of the magazine, readers could find the details on how to sew Vogue’s versions:

The pullover shirt to make as a dress. Vogue Pattern 1687 … For size 10 (50 1/2” dress-length, measured in back from base of neck): 3 3/8 yds. 44/45” fabric. … Pattern note: we eliminated pockets and sleeve tabs, and added side slits.

The shirt to make as a dress and wrap. Vogue Pattern 1685 … For size 10 (same length as above): 3 yds. 58/60” fabric. Pattern note: we left off buttons and buttonholes.

Dillard can also be seen on a handful of Vogue Patterns circa 1979, as well as a Scott Barrie feature in Vogue Patterns magazine. Click the cover image below to view the issue:

Keep PatternVault independent and ad-free for our community — contribute using the tip jar on the homepage. Thank you!