Sunday, December 09, 2012

Butterick 5679 ~ as a Dress!

This is Butterick 5679, a top pattern that is slightly fitted through the bust with stitched hem, raglan sleeves and various necklines including an oversized cowl version.  

Since this top is shown in a tunic length, I knew it would be easy to make it into a dress. So my pattern alterations were all about lengthening the front and back pattern pieces and insuring that I had enough width through my abdomen & hip area.  


front pattern alterations

back pattern alterations

I did this by using my TNT dress pattern as the basis for making the alterations, this way I knew I would have the proper fit through my challenging parts without having to jump through a lot of hoops.  I know that I keep saying/writing this over and over again, but peoples it works so why should I walk away from something that works?!

The sleeves didn't need any alterations because they are wide enough through the bicep area to fit my bodacious arms.  It's one of the reasons I like raglan sleeves, there is enough space in the sleeve so that I don't have to jump through hoops to make them work.



This is the fabric that I chose to use to make my version.  It's a medium weight jacquard 100% polyester knit, that is very warm!  

However, when cutting out the pattern pieces I didn't have enough fabric...yet again...for the cowl. Seriously, this is getting old, the fact that I'm not buying enough fabric for projects! But I had no specific garment in mind when I bought these three yards and actually thought that three yards would be more than enough for the dress...yeah right!  

So halfway through the project I was trying to determine how to make this work. I finally ended up using a scrap piece of the knit. I cut it out in a variation of the cowl neck pattern that even though it's not the oversized cowl pictured on the pattern envelope, it works as you can see below...



Also the pattern calls for a seam down the front, but I put my front pattern piece on the fold. I didn't want the fabric's pattern interrupted with a seam. It just didn't seem necessary. I cut off 2.5" off the hemline of the dress. Then another 1.5" off the hemline of the sleeves. Stitch witchery was pressed into the hems and then I used a twin needle to top stitch the hems flat.

It's an easy sew. I've already worn this to work and it was comfortable and warm. It wore well and with a black cardi, it toned down some of the pattern which really made it work appropriate. I will make this again because there are so many knit fabrics in my collection that could be used for this dress.  

By changing it up with some tights and shoe booties, I can wear it out with friends. It will work in a ponte knit, an ITY knit and a wool jersey or a doubleknit. I also think it will be great for most figure types, expect to see this again. It's just a fast & easy dress to sew with a lot of bang for the buck!

So some pics...





This garment was sewn last weekend.  This weekend I have been laid low with the ick, and I decided to rest since I have a heavy work week ahead, as well as, a couple of social events.  However, I have one more Mood project to share that I also finished last weekend and these will be the last sews for me this year.

I've decided that I'm going to give the nieces & nephews and the grandkids gift cards and flannel pjs for Christmas...so the sewing cave will become a sweatshop for Christmas presents during the next two weekends.

...as always more later!



41 comments:

  1. This is so wonderful! By far it najesbyou look amazing. Delightful. Merry Christmas

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  2. Meant to say...it makes you look anazing.

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  3. This is so wonderful! By far it makes you look amazing. Delightful. Merry Christmas

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous! This is a beautiful style on you, and that print is great. Classy but still fun - so you! Great save with the cowl, too. It looks perfect.

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  5. I love that style. I like raglan sleeves too. You could use a coordinating color for the collar for a layering effect. I definitely plan to use this pattern. Great look!

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  6. Another fabulous dress! You rock!

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  7. I really like this, Carolyn. It looks great on you and as you pointed out will work several ways.

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  8. I would wear your dress to work too. The fabric is the type of choice I like in a knit dress. It's a classic in my books.

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  9. Wonderful dress and it looks so good with those shoes! Hope the ick ends soon!

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  10. That really turned out nice! Looks great on you!

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  11. What a great idea - you are not doing good things to my resolve to not buy anymore patterns!!! That dress is very flattering on you and looks to be a versiile wardrobe addition. Merry Christmas.

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  12. The pattern combined with the cool, diagonal print fabric, created a very wearable, very flattering dress. Feel better!

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  13. Fabulous! Great job making it all work out with your limited fabric.

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  14. Love it! Just adore your dress version of this. I closed my sweat shop this weekend - 6 pairs of flannel pjs finished. Then I cut out another wrap dress. I though my 3 yards would be enough for long sleeves, but not quite. I think I got 3/4 sleeves. g

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  15. Nice! You were right not to put a seam down the front, it would have distracted from the lovely fabric.

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  16. You are so clever!
    This looks great, must be comfortable wear and you sewed it up in jiffy.

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  17. This dress is great. What a terrific idea to lengthen a top pattern to make a dress.

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  18. Oh this is lovely! It looks fabulous on you, and bonus points that it's so warm :o)

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  19. Love this and it looks great on you!!

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  20. I love it ,I love it!!
    Thanks for the heads up on yardage - I plan to try out a cowl neck dress this winter, too.

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  21. Your new dress looks so cozy and comfy and stylish .

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  22. LOVE this! I wonder if I could add some room at the front for my belly right now? I could see this being a really useful pattern. Looks so cozy and comfy but still really pulled together.

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  23. This happens to me all the time! I read your blog, and I love what you made so much I decide to comment. But then I read the previous comments "love it!" "beautiful!" "Looks great on you!" and I think "oh too late, it's all been said already". So, again, I don't comment. But I always love what you make, and you always look terrific.

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  24. You look wonderful in this dress.
    I do love the print of the fabric.

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  25. Great dress love the print on you. I love raglan sleeves because I have super narrow shoulders. I'll be sure to order this one.

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  26. That's a pretty dress. TNTs are a sewer's best friend, and the idea behind SureFitDesigns, which I am using. I have had the ick, too.

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  27. This turned out fantastic, Carolyn. I love the fabric you chose. Merry Christmas!

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  28. Nice dress, and perfect haircut, too!

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  29. Ditto the other comments above. I think that this style is good for you. I hope that you are back to your usual energy now.

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  30. This is a real win! Everything about it works on you.

    Feel better. Ick stinks.

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  31. Sometimes all it takes is a simple pattern and a wonderful print fabric to make a great dress like this one. I like the way the print is on the diagonal. Your xmas tree is reminding me that I need to get moving and get mine up.

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  32. Bravo, Ms. Carolyn. Love the fabric and style.

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  33. This is a brilliant winter dress - cosy and stylish at the same time.

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  34. I have this tunic cut out as my next "for me" project. I love the look of this dress on you.

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  35. Lovely dress! You look fantastic. Love it styled with your "shooties" :)

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  36. Oh, yah! Now I need to get this pattern back out and make one for me! I wonder how the beveled hem would look longer....

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  37. Love your creative spirit. The way you transform a top into a dress reminds me of the many times I have done the very same thing. It's wonderful to see the work of a kindred spirit. Keep up the great work!

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  38. Good luck getting the Christmas presents made!

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  39. This looks great on you! Love the print and the neckline interest.

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  40. Beautiful dress! Your clothes always look great on you!

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