Butterick 5354

I am currently trying to beef up my spring/summer wardrobe in anticipation of an upcoming trip to San Antonio. This top is another piece to take on the trip. It is a pattern I have used before, and is a great fitting t-shirt, and the pleat detail gives it some added interest.

Sorry for the not so great picture. Why is navy blue so hard to photograph? The color isn't represented very well here. It is actually a true navy blue.

Don't have my receipt, but I think I paid $5.00 for this fabric? And I already had the pattern and thread. So total cost is $5.00.

Pattern Sizing: 6-8-10-12. I cut a size 10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions are easy to follow. The pleats are a little time consuming, but not difficult.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the pleats, and that it dresses up what would be just a plain t-shirt.

Fabric Used: A cotton interlock found in the remnant bin at JoAnn Fabrics. There was a little less than a yard.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added a couple inches to the length. I also tacked the pleats to the facing on the inside so the facing would stay tucked in and not flip to the outside.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is the second time I have sewn this. The first time I made it sleeveless. I have received many compliments on that top. It is a nice t-shirt with added interest with the pleats.

Conclusion: A great wardrobe basic for spring or summer.

Up next, I made a baby gift for my bosses new baby, and will post about it soon.

Blessing-
Lisa

Butterick 5493- In a Woven, oops!

I was drawn this cute polka dot fabric at Joann's a few months ago (who doesn't like a cheery polka dot, right?) First off, I really liked the colors. As someone who works in a corporate environment, I have to dress up for work, and any fabric that has black in it is always a conender for me, since I wear black about 80% of the time. My coworkers and I joke about how much we wear black, but it really does go with everything, and it makes choosing something wear so much easier. I am determined to branch out and get away from so much black, but that is another post for another day. Sorry for digressing. Back to today's post....

I also liked the light blue color in this, since it is something different. The fabric is a poly-silky-something-or-other, and it was suprisingly easy to work with. It held a press well, which is what I usually get frustrated with in a poly. It also has a nice drape, and while it is satiny, it isn't really shiny.

When I first spotted this fabric I thought it would make a cute bow-front blouse, and that was my plan for it until I got to the cutting counter and there was only a yard and an eight on the bolt. Bummer. But I bought it anyway figuring I could find a pattern in my stash that takes only a yard. Enter Butterick 5493, view A: (the brown and white)


So I cut out the pattern, and started sewing (this pattern goes together really quick, only 4 pieces). It wasn't until I got to the instructions where they have you sew the neckband on, streching it as you go, that I realized my mistake. This pattern is for KNITS, and my fabric was a woven. Uh-oh. My first clue (besides reading the fabric suggestions) should have been the pattern layout. If it was made for wovens, it would have been laid out on the bias. At this point, I had much of the construction done, so I decided to continue and seee what happens.

I couldn't use the neckband, so I had to modify the pattern at the neckline. I sewed the ruffle to the front matching the right side of the ruffle to the wrong side of the front. Then i turned it to the outside and topstitched on the front. Then I serged the back neckline edge, and turned it under and stitched it in place. I then sewed the front and back together at the shoulders.

The front was a little low for my liking, and the armholes had a lot of room, so I just took up the shoulder seams about an inch, and that solved the problem.

Here is how I will wear this top to work, with a cardigan (black, of course!) But I will be on the lookout for a cardigan in the pretty light blue color. I will carry a swatch of the fabric in my purse while shopping so I can get the right shade of blue.

The top fits great, even as a woven. I am happy with my top, and can't wait to wear it when the weather get a little warmer. The temp here has been in the single digits most days for the past week. Too cold to wear a light top and cardigan!

Up next, I have a couple one-yard knit pieces i snagged from the remnant bin that I am going to make a couple summer tops with. Can you tell I am wishing for warmer weather? I am sick of winter!

Blessings-
Lisa

Butterick 5249

 

Pattern Description: MISSES SKIRT AND BELT: Skirts A, B, C, D have princess seams, back zipper and high waist. A, C: carriers and self-belt with purchased buckle. B, D: side front pleats and pockets. C, D: self-ruffle. A, B, C, D: mid-knee length. I made view B

Pattern Sizing: AA Sizes 6-12. I cut a 10, but should have cut a 12.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the pleat deatil on the pockets. This skirt reminds me of something you could find at Anthropologie. A classic style, but with extra detailing with the pleats.

Fabric Used: A worsted wool siuting I found in the bargain section of Hancock's. Sometime you can find some hidden gems in there. This fabric is a black and navy plaid, and it has a beautiful drape and hand.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I had to let out the side seams and back side seams in order for it to fit. I found this pattern ran a tad small.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I wouldn't sew this exact style again, but would possibly make another one of the views. I highly recomend it.

Conclusion: I love this skirt! I think it is classic, yet has a little something extra to make it very current and on-trend.

Detail of the pockets and pleats. Hard to photograph because of the dark color, but my chalk lines do show! Will have to remove those before I wear this skirt.

The plaid soesn't show up as strongly in person, otherwise I would have paid more attention to matching it.

I have shown this skirt with blouse Butterick 5284. I'm not sure I will wear the two together, as the ruffles and pleats may be a little too much if worn together. I will review this blouse in my next post.