Butterick 5794

I THANK AND PRAISE GOD FOR KEEPING ME ANOTHER YEAR!!!

This is another one of those fabrics that I had a hard time deciding what to make with.  It was a purchase from Fashion Fabrics Club a little over a year ago.  I ordered quite a few sweater knits at that time so I'm guessing this one may have been classified as such.  

I decided on View D.  I also like Views A and C.  This (c.2012) pattern is currently out of print.  Although it was the entire look of Dress C that drew me to it, I decided during construction that I would omit the elastic from the sleeves...no regrets. This view is described as "loose" fitting and I like that about it. 

I was a little short on fabric hence the directional change on the bodice front and back.  I didn't mind so much as I think it adds visual interest.  The collar/tie however is another story...

Don't get me wrong, I love the black contrast - but the cotton jersey, the only complimentary fabric that I had in stash - is a little too heavy for the dress fabric.  What would have been my first choice -and would have been perfect by the way - had already been used to line a different dress...just sayin'. 

Now if I could just tie the tie correctly I'd be in business.  This is quite the easy dress to make and dare I say "cute...to boot"!

Until next time.....PEACE AND BLESSINGS!!!

Workin' Girl - "Cords": Butterick 5640

 

Muslin Love - Butterick 5486 (OOP)

Once upon a time, not long ago, I thought that muslin making was a "time consuming" process that resulted in a waste of  resources...especially fabric!

There's a lot to like about this dress:  The wide straps, the front and back necklines, the wrap detail, the full skirt...

After several successful muslin made projects...

From left to right: M5525, V8491 (OOP) and  S1650.

I soon realized that there are many benefits of going through the process.  In addition to a great fit, it provides the perfect opportunity to become familiar with the construction details of a project.  Any new methods and/or techniques introduced can practiced and required skills "honed in on" before working with the final fabric.   

This wrap detail - one of my main attractions to this pattern. 

 This test garment was made using a jersey knit that has been in Virginia's stash since the beginning of time.  The good news....I managed to use nearly all of it for this test!

There are some nice colors in this print but all together it's just bizzy!

The adjustments needed to make this dress work for me involve making everything above the waist smaller.  An easy enough fix but I discovered something else about this dress during this process:  I don't like it as much as I thought I did and will not be making it twice - another benefit

There is a lot of gaping in the whole top area:  around the arms, at the shoulders, in the front and the back.

At this point, I don't think that I will make a muslin for everything that I sew but when I do I won't feel bad about using the fabric in my stash that could easily be used for this purpose...and not be missed.  Instead of considering it a waste, I will think of it (muslin making) as more of an investment - of resources!  

Until next time....PEACE AND BLESSINGS!!!

African Retro - Butterick 5748

A windy day!

I call this my "Graduation Dress".  This makes the second time I've worn it to a graduation ceremony.

Belt-less

The first time I wore it without a belt.  I knew that my preference was to wear a belt but I never got around to making a purchase.    

Really...there are three stands to this necklace.

The belt worn today is actually a purse strap that I put to "new" use. 

Love, love the back

The dress is fully lined and was oh so simple to make.  I purchased this fabric at the same time that I purchased the fabric for this project. 

Twirl girl...twirl!

I have some of each cut left and I think I see a "mixture" (of the two) on the horizon! So much on the horizon...where will I find the time?

Such a plentiful print!

Until next time....Take care and BE BLESSED!

The Cut Line Dress - Butterick 5485

A little fun with collages.....

What a great dress!

This is how I styled the dress for church a few weeks ago.  It rained that Sunday that's why no post.

Dinner and perhaps a little dancing....on my mind!

Look for a full review on PatternReview.com.  BE BLESSED!

Electric Geometrics! What I Wore To Church Sunday - Butterick 5353

The sun peeped out every now and then while I was taking these photos on Sunday.  Hope you get the picture!  Warning:  some pics are hazy. 

This is a VERY comfortable dress!  Love the full lining!



This fabric was in Virginia's stash.  She had used some of it to make a toaster cover and had quite a bit left.  Wait.....did I say toaster cover?  I meant to say TOASTER COVER!  Yes.....she did!  I could have done the same except....... I don't have a toaster......a toaster oven? yes - a toaster? - no!  Why not a dress?!

  

My biggest fear was that the neckband would not fit properly and it doesn't.  It's not terrible but it's quite noticeable in the back.  I should have gone down a size for the neck band.  Lesson learned.  Hook looks undone here.



Inside front view.  This cotton blend fabric that I used for the lining was also in Virginia's stash.  I appears to have some rayon and maybe even a touch of polyester?????? in it. 

 

Excuse the wrinkles but she'd had a "workout" by the time I put her on the dress form for this pic! 



Such a "classic" look in my opinion.  Believe me, the sweater came in handy!

 

Yep!  I visited a church today and it was a chilly!  



Love these shoes.  I must get some type of padding to keep my feet from thrusting forward though.  It was down right uncomfortable at times.....my eight dollar Worthington shoes from JCPenney! 


BE BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simple Yet Satisfying!!!!!! - Butterick 5527

What else can I say?  This dress was soooo simple to make and with great reward.  I used a sweater knit that I found in Virginia's stash and it turned out GREAT!  It's cute AND comfortable.  I wore this to church yesterday and got lots of compliments!  Although I must admit, instead of this wedge boot (which I should probably part with NOW),  I wore a brown Nine West, just below the knee, boot with about a 4" heel.  I didn't dare wear these boots with the dress and much less to church, they are....as my high school students would say..."HIT" For Real  - LOL!. However, this is the style of boot I'll wear.....as soon as I find them!  I just love them but am afraid I've worn them out completely.  Got these at JCPenney Outlet in Martinsville, VA a few years back.  Anyway.......

The fabric was in "tubular" form and I almost shied away from it.  However, I REALLY  liked the print and the feel of the fabric.  When I say tubular, I mean it was folded lengthwise and the selvage edges opposite the fold was sewn together, the end selvage edges were open forming sort of a tube.  This was my first experience with this type of fabric, I love it!  Already I am thinking about the next project with a sweater knit,.  I think it gives the effect of a knitted garment without the actual knit work!  I know those wrinkles were not there when I put that dress on - lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Above you'll see a collage of the side seam in the skirt, the neckline inside and out, the continuous lap, inside and out and the dress almost complete with the exception of the sleeves.  Final shot below is of course is the back.  Where DID these wrinkles come from?  These pics were taken at work but I did not wear this to work today.  I just transported it for the pics.  Perhaps when I get my boots.....nah - probably not.  Took me long enough to get these pics. 

To be honest I see how wadders are made.  This fabric has a loooooot of stretch.  It really came together nicely however.  I used a sort of zigzag knit stitch on the machine and serged all of the seams to a finish.  I highly recommend this pattern.  I will do a thorough review on PatternReview.com.  Thanks for checking me out....and as always... BE BLESSED!