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Saturday, February 02, 2013

Butterick 5679 Print Blocked Dress

I had two dresses that I wanted to make this weekend.  The first one from Butterick 5679, a top pattern that I've changed to dress length...


from this fabric combination...





I'm also adding an inch or two to the hem because I'm going to wear it with a belt.  I know, you're wondering who is this woman?  But twenty thirteen is a new year. I've made a lot of garments these last couple of years, so I need to move in new directions. I don't want to sew the same thing over and over again.

I've made this dress before and it was so comfortable to wear.  It looked professional with a black cardigan over it and it wore like I was wearing my pjs to work.  A good thing for my wardrobe because we are entering the darkest days of winter and I'm developing a serious case of Winter Blues...so I need some colorful, fun, yet professional pieces to wear.

Here is the dress on Lulu...



Since I've made the dress before this time I constructed it totally on the serger.  Do you know how fast it is to make something if you serge all the seams?  Faster than fast! *LOL*

So my original idea was to have a totally solid back and a print front, that meant print sleeves and cowl on the front and solid sleeves and cowl at the back.  Ummm, the idea was kinda goofy.  When I started to lay the fabric pieces out that idea quickly bit the dust.  I went with the print sleeves and cowl although I'd cut both pieces in the brown ponte knit too.  The dress with just a solid back looked so much better and less schizophrenic than my originally planned dress.

I'm not sure if I cut this version larger (I tend to do that!) or if the fabrics behaved differently than my polyester knit version either way I ended up taking another 5/8" off both sides. 




I also handled the cowl neckline differently on this one.  First I cut the cowl pattern out halfway, just like the first one because even though I was originally drawn to the large cowl neckline in reality it is too much material at my neckline.  However, I didn't fold it in half as the pattern instructs and stitch it to the dress' neckline.  I just stitched it onto the dress, added a serged edge and let all the excess puddle around the front of the dress' neckline.

The sleeves were stitched to bracelet length and a 1" hem was turned up at the bottom of the dress.  For some reason this version seems more shapeless than the first version, so as stated earlier I will be wearing a belt with it.  Modeled shots will happen later...it's Super Bowl weekend and my daughter is hosting a Super Bowl party this weekend.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I like this dress.  Hopefully hair and make-up, heels and jewelry will improve my outlook on the dress. I am moving onto the next print blocked dress which I'm calling the CK Dress.  

...as always more later!





10 comments:

  1. The colour combination looks great and I love the print. I too love using my serger and it sure does make sewing super quick. By the way how's your new Janome Horizon going... mine arrived a few days after you got your and I have to say I LOVE it.

    I'm looking forward to seeing your wearing this dress and like you say once you've got a belt on and all dressed up you might feel different about it. I was thinking the cowl might have looked pretty good in the solid fabric... seeing as though you've already got it cut up maybe you could have made the cowl removable/interchangeable... that would have also made this dress a little different to your last one... just an idea and I know you wouldn't worry about going back and changing anything on this one now... but just thought I'd share the idea that slipped into my head LOL

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  2. I love a dress with a cowl neckline. Your dress looks terrific.

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  3. I think your ponte and leather dress with its waistband panel, and the belt your wore with your purple pleasant dress + jacket combo show that some definition at your waist is extremely flattering to you - wearing a belt with this dress will look great. I love the inspiration dress and your fabric combo, so I'm sure when it's on and you've accessorised it you'll look glam as usual!

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  4. I really like how you change up what you sew and your style. I love my top from that same pattern and your dress looks really nice. Your plans for styling sound great.

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  5. i LOOOOOOVE belts on you , andswingy details like your purple jacket... i think this is going to prove stunning in the modeled shots with that high pink swath at your neckline. have superbowl fun... for us it's pretty much in mourning...

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  6. I'd love to see it on you, too. The pattern is a great one to modify in to a dress- per you recommendation! And I think the cowl pattern piece is excessively big. I cut down the width by half when I made my version and it was still a really substantial cowl. I like the print you used.

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  7. The color combination looks good. I look forward to the picture of you modeling it!

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  8. You do look good when you wear clothes that have a belt or have a waist feature.
    Now that you're trying new things/directions give yourself some time to get used to new things.

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  9. Oh boy - that looks a comfortable dress! Great colors too!

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  10. I love the placement of the swoop above the bust. It's quite attractive. Here's hoping you feel more excited about it when it's all dressed up.

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