It is 4 yards of a wool/silk blend that I bought several years ago from Fabric.com. Originally it was purchased to make a pair of pants and a vest. But upon touching it this time, it said that it wanted to become a dress.
I wasn't sure which dress to make. I had some vague ideas but nothing concrete. As I was going through my sewn pattern folders, I spied the Butterick one. Remembering that I wanted to make it again and realizing that I had a great contrast fabric for the yoke, sleeve and hem bands, I pulled it out.
Finding my notes from the spring/summer version of this dress, rereading them and my blog post brought the construction details back to my mind. There were two changes that I wanted to make to this winterized version:
1. Block fuse the contrast fabric prior to cutting out the yoke pieces
2. Make sure that I lengthened the back yoke pieces to avoid this:
I added a black polyester lining to the entire dress...sleeves included. Finally here is a picture of me wearing the finished dress:
The jury is still out on this dress. The neckline is really wide which is great on a spring/summer dress...not so great on a fall/winter dress. The dress is loose-fitting without any darts...and even though quite a few of my dresses are unstructured...they do have darts or princess seams to give the appearance of shape. This could have easily looked like a housedress!
One last pic of both the summer & winter versions:
It's done...and I'll probably wear it...but it's not a hall of fame dress...if you want to see more construction and interior shots, they are in my flickr album. It's done and all I can think of is..."NEXT!"
Oh - I think it looks much better on you than on the hanger. Could you add darts to the next version? I like it. g
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great! Love the fabric and the contrasting fabric is great!
ReplyDeleteI like it too! Your soo fast! You said that you aren't too sure about the neck (winter version) What about finding a different neck from another pattern that you like better? I'm with Gaylen, it looks much better on you than the hanger. The colors are so warm, and I can just feel the softness from the silk! Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I too think it looks great on you. I particularly like the dark contrast trim.
ReplyDeleteIt looks really great on you, a bit shapeless on the hanger, but lovely on. How about a roll or turtle neck under it in the contrast colour. You're so fast, I guess that's the advantage of TNT patterns.
ReplyDeleteThe dress looks great. I used to be a "skirt and blouse" person, but you have made me rethink dresses! I almost (I said "almost") wish I wore dresses to work!
ReplyDeleteI'm with everybody else--I think the dress looks great on you. It's full enough that it's actually slimming. I wouldn't worry about the lack of shaping, I actually think that's what makes it work. It kind of leaves a lot to the imagination :-)
ReplyDeleteI really like it on you. I love the way the contrast bands look!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I think it looks great on you. The wide neckline is fine and perfect for layers, you could put a turtleneck underneath your dress for an entirely different look. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteI really like it on you too. Looks very good!
ReplyDeleteI like it too. The lack of darting lets the pattern remain unaltered, and the fabric drapes well enough that it flatters. I think you look great! K
ReplyDeleteI would never have considered that pattern until seeing yours. This also goes to prove something on the hanger has no relation to what it looks like on the body. It looks really nice on you. I would love to have this made up with a fancy yoke/sleeve band treatment for a special occasion. I am glad it is still available to get at the next butterick pattern sale which I am waiting for since there are a couple of newer ones I am interested in as well. Thanks for showing the changes you made like making the sleeves longer.mssewcrazy
ReplyDeleteI also love your new dress. I think the wide neckline is refreshing on a winter dress, and very flattering. The drape of this is wonderful. The dark bands really make it pop. I hope you fall more in love with this, it really is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteYou are very John Galliano with your contrast borders there. And bah humbug on taking pictures of clothing on hangers. That dress looks fab on you - very professional but also with an edge because of the borders. And, what I would do (even though the neckline would not bother me here because they overhead my place terribly)is get a sheer scarf and put it in the neck if you feel you need more coverage but don't want to go the turtleneck route.
ReplyDeleteI love it. I guess the cold neck could be an issue, but the colours look superb on you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others a lovely dress.
ReplyDeleteA lot of dresses have great hanger appeal but look terrible when worn. Your dress is quite striking on you.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I nominated you for a Kreativ Blogger award, please check in my blog, although I believe that you have already decided what to to regarding this nomination!! Anyway I think your blog deserves the nomination. Best regards!! Patricia.
ReplyDeleteLOL, it doesn't look like a housedress. In fact, the black adds a very interesting detail. As always, you look great.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lory
I really like the dress on you. If it doesn't get the wear it deserves, maybe you can add darts at a later date and see if that makes you happer. It definitely deserves to be worn. And the wide neckline isn't an issue in winter - it's an excuse for a gorgeous scarf to keep you warm.
ReplyDeleteI like the dress and the fact that you can make it for all seasons is a real money saver. I have seen and purchased recently plain front jackets/blouses with row of vertical pintucks made with just a twin needle. The pintucks run from under the bust to the tummy area and they just reduce that area a little by curving it in slightly to give the garment more shape. Maybe you could try running some along the lines under your bust to your tummy and see if they do anything for the shape. They don't have to go all the way across the front, just under each breast would be enough.
ReplyDeleteI went back and looked at the photo of you in the summer version and I think I like this dress better (not that there is anything wrong with the summer one). The contrasting neckband really adds something to it. It looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for stopping by my blog, I appreciate your comments.
On the hanger, I'd have said it was so-so. On you it looks really good! I think the contrast bands, paired with the black accessories, really made it top notch.
ReplyDeleteWow! That was quick. I think it looks good - not like a house dress. I think the contrast trim really helps with that too. You're a much faster sewer than I am.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw it on you I thought how well it fits you and how good it looks on you as always. I empathize about the wide neck. I get cold just thinking about wearing it here in Eastern Canada where I'm sure it's much colder than is NYC.
ReplyDeleteI can't even fathom how you sew so quickly. I'm such a meanderer(is that a word I wonder?).have a great week.
Very cute! You have me thinking...I made a summer dress in this pattern too!
ReplyDeleteI was just browsing and run across your blog and just looking at the winter and summer versions of the same dress give me the inspiration to start some simple sewing for myself again. Simple patterns, that fit, in year-round fabrics. I was a sized 20 but now am a 16 -I need to make some new clothes, but whenever I have time, I usually Quilt instead. Perhaps, I can put down the quilting for a short time, and make a couple of dresses or outfits for myself. It's just been sooooooo long.
ReplyDeletethanks for the inspiration!
I like it on you - a sweater will always help keep you warmer around the neck and shoulders and has the advantage of being removed if you get too warm. I know you're moving on with this one, but you could cut the yokes a bit smaller, but leave the dress the same. Then, gather the dress at the neckline to the yoke, about 2" to 3" either side of CF, giving you that pleated/gathered look that is popular now plus a tighter neckline.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is one that def benefits by being photographed on the wearer (you) rather than the hanger.
ReplyDeleteBut in your stand-still shots, it's a good looking dress.
I see a pickier Carolyn emerging here.
I love this winterized version of that dress! The fabric is fabulous and you look great in the dress! Nice touch with the black contrasts!
ReplyDelete