A Circa 1940’s Student Nursing Uniform

Way back in July I traveled to California to attend Costume College. What is Costume College you ask? It is an annual three-day educational conference produced by Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. to provide educational classes, programs, and tours. Professional seamstresses, costume designers, as well as historical fashion and sewing enthusiasts come from all over the world to teach and attend this fabulous event. Friday night the theme was the 1940’s so I choose to create a costume very close to my heart. A Circa 1940’s Student Nursing Uniform.

A Circa 1940’s Student Nursing Uniform

Many longtime readers may remember my dear Grandma Jingles who was a regular fixture on DTA until her passing a few years ago. She was an amazing woman who inspired my love of antique lace, trims, buttons and more. My grandmother used these things regularly for her hobby in running a doll hospital for many years. She repaired antique dolls and sewed their clothing in the most historically accurate manner possible.

But her daytime job for over 40 years was even more special. She was an R.N. and rose to the position of the head nurse.

My grandmother was the first in her family to get a high school diploma. She was the class valedictorian and received a scholarship to nursing school at St. John in Redwing, Minnesota. But this girl of poor farmers had to work for an entire year to save up the $39 she needed to cover her uniform costs. Can you even imagine?

All In The Details

I had just a few small photos of my grandmother’s student nursing uniform. But during the many joyous visits we had, she discussed how the student nurses wore a medium blue dress with a white apron. The dress buttoned up the front with white buttons. The collar and cuffs were separately attached and made from crisp cotton poplin. After the collars and cuffs were washed and heavily starched the students would plaster them onto their dresser mirrors until they were dry. They could then be peeled off the mirror and worn immediately. Thus saving the step of ironing.

The same was done for their nursing caps. They also could be plastered flat to dry. The cap featured two buttons on the back that when folded and buttoned the cap was transformed into its iconic shape.

Underneath it all, the nurses had the option of wearing a corset or a brassiere with a new-fangled girdle with garters to hold up their white stockings. Like other stockings of the day, they featured a back seam and must be kept straight.

The Design and Patterns

Armed with this knowledge I set out to recreate my Grandmother’s student nursing uniform. I easily found the blue fabric and white buttons.

I knew that the hat, cuffs, and collar had all been purchased and not made. Scouring eBay and Etsy I found a cap but came up short for the collar and cuffs.

So I began looking for a 1940’s dress pattern that buttoned all the way up, had a collar and featured short sleeves with a cuff. After hours of research, I came across a 1950’s pattern that fit the bill. Simplicity 2184.

Overall I would classify this pattern as “intermediate” due to the collar. The instructions were well laid out but it did require patience. Particularly since I was creating a contrasting white collar and cuffs.

The apron was a bit harder.

I knew from photos that the wide straps crisscrossed in the back and buttoned onto the waistband.

My wee granny is on the right.

The closest pattern I could come up with was Butterick B5726, view B. The front was the right shape, I just had to lengthen the skirt.

But the back view required that I draft wider ties that would be crisscrossed and buttoned to the waistband as opposed to sewn on straight and then tied. I am extremely grateful to my dear friend Dartanyan who was willing to double-check my pattern drafting and math skills.

As is, the pattern would be great for a beginner. My adjustments required an intermediate level of sewing skills.

All The Accessories

I felt very blessed that my grandmother had given me the original nursing pin she received upon graduation. You can see her wearing it in her nursing photo at the top. It is also in the lower right-hand corner below.

The white stockings and square heeled oxfords I found on eBay.

Of all the costumes I wore at Costume College this was the one that made people smile.

There was another nurse, circa WWI, also in attendance. We happily chatted for several minutes and I asked several questions about her fabulous ensemble. I then asked to follow her on Instagram and when she said her name I about dropped my phone.

I was ALREADY following Constance MacKenzie, a well known British costume maker who has worked on such films as Wonder Woman and Mary Poppins Returns. Such amazing talent and NICE AS PIE!

Of everything I have ever created this simple costume is the most heartfelt. I can’t help but think that Grandma Jingles would be quite proud of my efforts.

What fabulous career did your family member have?

Laura