Butterick 5764 Knit Maxi Dress

Butterick 5764 Knit Maxi Dress

Self teaching is a scary thing sometimes.  I wish I lived in a larger city where I could take sewing classes from a professional.  Instead I use the Professional Internet!  I remember learning to sew and I would have to go to the library to check out a book to learn or understanding a sewing step.  Now all I have to do is GOOGLE it!

I'm still not comfortable with sewing with knits but at least my latest project turned out pretty good.  It is going to get a lot of wear and I think I will look for more knit patterns but just not with the cross over front or the wrap front style.  Being busty I always have trouble with gaping.  I know I'll find the perfect pattern out there soon.

The Butterick 5764 Maxi Dress was easy to sew and the directions were simple.  I heard that the facings on knit dresses were useless but since this one had a wrap front I thought that the facing would give it some stability.  I didn't use facing on the arm holes.  I just turned the seam allowance under and stitched.  They turned out pretty nice.

I did a lot of test sewing on scrap fabrics to adjust tension, test needles and also to test interfacing.  I'm glad I had some scraps left over.

Knits patterns seem to run a little big.  I did not make any adjustments to the pattern.  I usually have to do a FBA (full bust adjustment) and a pretty good size hip increase.  But I just used the pattern as is and cut the skirt fabric a size larger.

I like to use washers in place of pins when I cut out my pattern.  I had to use washers to keep the fabric from pulling off the end of the table.

I saw a tip to use clothespins to keep your fabric together.  What a genius idea!

I serged the facing on the unnotched side and sewed to the dress front with a regular machine.

Sewing the bottom hem.  I tried to use my twin needle but decided to just to a regular single stitch.

I am going to have to work on some bolero jackets/shrugs to go with this.  I looks pretty good on but I think it looks GREAT on my dummy.

I'm trying to decide if I want to work on a shirt dress next or the bolero jackets or a top.  So many choices!\

Until next time......

Bonnie

New Look 6485 Tunic Top

I've gotten the sewing bug slowly, but at least I got it back!

I thought that I would try this New Look 6485 Pattern.  View C.  I have had this pattern for a while and I noticed that another New Look pattern I have and this one have the exact same top front and back piece.  I am thinking I am on to something here.

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New Look 6485 

 Fabric from www.FabricMartFabrics.com; a linen cotton type fabric.

I tried to take my time.  I surged all the seams prior to sewing them.  The fabric wanted to fray some on the cut end.  

I seems when I sew I can't wait to finish.  I will get in a hurry and just jump from one step to the next.  This time I took my time and tried to enjoy the steps.  

 I have used this book: Fitting Finesse by Nancy Zieman quiet a few times.  The directions are easy to follow and easy to understand.  I always doubt my measuring and making a paper template but 99.9% of the time it always comes out great!  I had to increase the pattern hip measurements alot.

As I have told you I am plus size.  My hips measure 58".  I increased the pattern by 10".  Talk about an hourglass figure!  I also had to increase the sleeve measurement but only by 4".

 New Look 6485 Tunic Top View C Finished

 Back view of Tunic Top

I made a thread button loop on the back.  Thank goodness for the Internet & online tutorials.  It was not as hard as I had thought so now I  think I'm a pro at making thread button loops!

Side View of Tunic Top, showing shoulder, sleeve set & stitching of front & facing.

This pattern was easy to follow and I liked that it was something a little different.  While I was watching QVC this morning I saw they had numerous tops similar to this pattern.  Now I have a million ideas for this pattern.

Also I saw a maxi dress & bolero jacket on there this morning too. So now I have to try that!

On my table now is Butterick 5764.  It's for a maxi dress with knit fabric.  I am not too sure of a maxi dress with my size but I'm willing to give it a try.  I can always shorten it.  Also I've done some online reading on working with knits.  

They scare me!

But I'm going to keep working at it!

The fabric was another Fabric Mart purchase.  It's a zebra/tribal print in black & white.

Until next time................

Bonnie

McCall's 3735

I've always loved vintage patterns, sometimes the pattern pieces are easier and simple, nothing too complicated.  I have been looking for a simple summer sundress.  Being a plus size I have to wear a bra so I have to be careful with the top & straps.  I found this McCall's 3735 pattern in my stash.  It's a 1988, I know that's really not a vintage but when I think about it, I was only in the 8th grade when this pattern came out!

I really don't know why I kept this pattern, maybe for a swimsuit cover-up in "B", but I'm not sure.  View "C" caught my eye because it had pockets and a gathered type waist.

Well, I think this may be my "Summer Staple Dress".  It's ALOT better than the picture!

I did make a muslin that I'll wear around the house.  The chest area is a little big, not too much but enough that in the final I took in 1/2".  I also shortened the final dress.  (A little too much but I fixed that too!)  In the final dress I cut the front piece on the fold so there would not be a center seam.  I didn't like it going down the middle of my chest.

I loved the way the belt attached to a piece of elastic under the bust then tied in the back.  This dress has pockets that are hidden in the side seams.  I really like them.

I made the dress as directed for the muslin with a neck facing and facing for the armholes.  I did not like the armhole facings at all.  The final dress has bias binding made from the same fabric for the armholes and I made the neck facing as directed.  Much smoother finish and not as fussy.

I added a 4" piece of bias cut fabric and piping along the bottom.  I did cut the dress a little too short.  As long as I was standing up it was fine, just at my knees, but if I were to bend over or sit it was way up in the back.  I think I did a marvelous job of fixing my oops!

I also think that shortening the dress made it look a little more modern.  The muslin had the dress mid calf, which was more like a night gown.

Side view

Rear View

I think I have gotten my sewing mojo back so I hope to be back to posting more sewing again.

Until next time......

Bonnie