Simplicity 7100 - Uncle Sam

Early 1930s.

Check the coverage index (to the left) for more Uncle Sam patterns.  The illustrator seems to have forgotten that our Uncle Sam has only chin whiskers - the slightly fringy mustache is distracting.  But the overall look is consistent with our image of Uncle Sam.  (Though I'm partial to the starry-coated versions myself.)

Remember that at this time Simplicity has only been in business a few years and is still marketing the practicality and economy of its patterns. But alongside the practical three-in-one patterns for pajamas, aprons, rompers, and house dresses, the company thought it worthwhile to offer Colonial Cut-out Patterns for Social Functions.

The United States had had its 150th birthday a few years earlier in 1926, so Uncle Sam was much in the popular imagination, and not only in the United States; in January1929 he made an appearance at a New Zealand costume ball.  Remember that January is high summer in Australia; I hope Uncle was provided with many glasses of punch.

The instructions for this Uncle Sam Suit are printed on one side of a single sheet of paper only marginally thicker than the pattern tissue.  Here's a sample; get out your magnifying glass and pay attention!

I wonder how many worn out top hats were given a coat of white house paint and a nice blue ribbon to finish off the look in time for the 4th of July parade.

Butterick 1697 - Costume for Uncle Sam, George Washington, Ring Master, Full Dress

Mid 1940s.

This war-time pattern, with its austere black and white illustration, gave good value for the money, with four different options. Uncle Sam is something of a sharp dresser, with his restrained white tie, and the intriguing striped collar and lapels. The starry vest returns, and the tail coat seems to have become white. The stripes on the coat and trousers are made by tacking down about 25 yards of inch wide ribbon. The earlier broadfall on the trousers has been replaced by a button fly front. The only hat pattern included is for George Washington's tricorn.

Many patterns published during WWII now have brittle, crumbling envelopes and instructions, although the pattern tissue remained of high quality.

McCall 432 - Uncle Sam Costume

1930s

Another one of McCall's lovely color illustrations. This one includes a pattern for the top hat. The vest has lost the stars of the earlier versions.

McCall 2489 - Uncle Sam Suit

Mid 1920's. For Men and Boys.

This pattern includes the tailcoat, vest, and broadfall trousers. With this version both the vest and the tailcoat may be star-studded.

McCall 7369 - Uncle Sam Suit

World War I. This one looks quite a bit like the J.M. Flagg recruiting poster from World War I:

The pattern artist seems to have tried to lighten the stern-looking Uncle Sam of the poster, but this demonically grinning Uncle Sam is a little disturbing. Note the broadfall trousers.

This pattern is for the tail coat, vest, and trousers; no pattern is included for the hat. The starry vest is similar to this Uncle Sam found on a poster at sonsofthesouth.net: