"Pin-me-up" frocks! In 1925 Modern Priscilla offered these two evening dresses to its readers: one for a matron (on the right) and one for her debutante daughter (on the left).
From the description I gather Modern Priscilla provided everything: from the lengths of fabric already cut out to the trimmings. All that remained was sewing up the seams. Which sounds like... ready made with extra steps?
I've quoted the text from the magazine in full, because it's so informative.
More magic for the home dressmaker! "Pin-me-up" evening dresses for her charming daughter eagerly entering upon her first party season, and her equally charming young-hearted self entering upon a winter of club activities and the round of social events every gracious hostess enjoys.
"Pin-me-up" frocks are not only the last word in style but in helpful service—they are cut out and pin-basted, you might say—all put together even to the last rosebud and ribbon so that a woman will get the complete effect of her frock without any puzzlement or worries. She can make any minor adjustments she may wish, and then make up her frock in less time than it takes to tell about it. It is very like having the services of an expert costume designer to make ready for your sewing, and to suggest the smartest fabrics, the elusive and lovely little touches.
Mary Miller chooses laces for these models—not only because it is decreed by Fashion for evening wear, but because it is the filmiest, most exquisitely feminine fabric ever made. For the debutante she daringly chooses black—a fluffy, fairy wisp of wide silk lace on a foundation of silk net with one provocative rosebud at the shoulder and another hiding away under the lacy mistiness of the skirt. A girdle of gold ribbon glints through the lacy frill at the waist. A chic little bow with streamers of silk net is caught between the shoulders. Worn over a black georgette slip it is truly Parisian.
For the matron the designer chooses a lovely fallow tint in both lace and the georgette with which it is combined. Every line of the garment is slenderizing, the slight flare of the skirk coming well below the knee to give a softening fulness without cutting the length. Even the girdle of velvet ribbon. (in the same warm tan shade as the dress) considerately remains at the back and slips under the lace panels.
A straight slip of lace is cleverly contrived to give a prettier line at the shoulder for the older woman, and by "half revealing, half concealing" gives an effect of greater charm than any lack of sleeve could possibly do.
The neckline is low enough for a dressy effect, but not low enough to be difficult for the average woman to wear becomingly. The irregular line of the skirt makes it possible to have the effect of fashionable brevity and yet have that extra length which so many women of larger figures really need. The model may be worn successfully up to size 50.
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