Sunday, November 21, 2010

Butterick 5454 - Black floral knit wrap dress

Hello! I finally have a new FO to show you. This is a simple wrap dress design that I usually wouldn't have looked twice at (too simplistic/non-challenging) except that I kept seeing it pop up over at Patternreview.com. And as I am attempting to use simple patterns for busy fabrics, it was perfect for this border print ITY knit.

I wish there had been enough fabric to cut the sleeves and bottom tie on the border as well. That would have been so eye-popping. As is the ties get a little lost with all the busyness of the print. With such a short amount of yardage, I was squeezing in pattern pieces wherever they would fit. I did try to match up the skirt and bodice pieces where they intersect at the waist. However, it was a total fluke that the sleeves match up perfectly to the front and back bodice! Honestly, I'm not sure I could have pulled that off if I'd had 2 extra yards and the willingness to try.

At the moment, the girls are pulling the neckline out and the waistline of the skirt up slightly in the front. This is how the dress will lay once they go back to normal non-nursing size. It's a rather low neckline for me, and will still require a cami underneath.


I did make the effort to match up the border motif at the hemline. Oh, and I took a 1.5" hem instead of the 5/8" per the pattern instructions. Otherwise, no other changes were made.

I used bias tape to finish off the neckline so it wouldn't stretch out. I liked the idea of using clear elastic instead, but couldn't figure out how to attach the ties with it and still have neat insides. French seams were used throughout. As I've written before, I have nothing against the use of a serger to finish off seams, and would certainly utilize one if I could. But my sewing space is in the corner of our master bedroom, and I only have room for one sewing machine.

That's it for now! Rachel is in desperate need of some pants that fit her super skinny waist, and I've got another knit dress already cut out. Hopefully it's a productive week. If I don't get another post done before then, happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers!

27 comments:

  1. It's a pretty dress! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too!

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  2. Stunning border print. They are so hard to find in Australia. Your pattern matching is very impressive.

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  3. Hi (you don't know me- I found your blog while looking for wrap dresses...)

    This is gorgeous on you- thanks for the great review. I think I definetly will need to go out and get this pattern!

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  4. That is gorgeous!!! I love border prints.

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  5. Your hem looks very nice. Your dress came out so well.

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  6. I love this print. It is unique with a very pretty color way. The knit pattern you used was a great choice. It looks beautiful on you!

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  7. I just made a knit wrap dress and the neckline did stretch a little. How do you attach the bias tape to stabilize the neckline? How would you use the clear elastic?

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  8. Looks great! Your fabric is lovely too!

    :)

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  9. So pretty Amanda! And the hem is perfect. :)

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  10. Wonderful work! That dress is a knockout on you - and you are looking quite good!

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  11. Amanda, be a peach and email me.

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  12. Gorgeous dress - perfect match of style and fabric. This is one of those dresses that can look wonderful for day or stunning dressed up for night. You look lovely in it!

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  13. Great dress and great matching. How lovely to have a dress that you can wear both now and later...even if it will fit you better later!

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  14. Really cute although I do have trouble understanding how you can put a huge life size mannequin in your limited space but not a serger.Of course it is upto you if you want one or not.

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  15. What a gorgeous dress! Very flattering on you.

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  16. Wonderful! The fabric is fantastic for this pattern!

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  17. Very pretty and you really bounced back after baby!

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  18. This is really cute Amanda. And you weren't kidding when you said you bounce back quickly after having a baby. I'm impressed!!

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  19. What a lovely dress and you are back to your regular weight already!?! Amazing!

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  20. Ooo.. lovely dress! I keep passing up this dress, too, but now I need to go find the pattern.

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  21. Very pretty--great use of the lovely print. The sleeve matchup is so fortuitous!

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  22. Cute!! I love how the border print matches along the hemline.
    And yay for wearing your FO's again! You look fantastic :)

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  23. I love this dress Amanda! It's beautiful on you! I'm in love with both the dress style and fabric you chose!

    I struggle so much with bold patterns on dresses for myself and am so inspired when I see others do them successfully! I made a wild zebra "hot pink" dress a while back and still haven't worn it out of the house yet!

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  24. I love your dress Amanda! You look fabulous. I love the fitted sleeves - and the print, of course!

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  25. Beautiful, love the print you used!

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