Fast and (stupid) easy 5652 Butterick

For my Make A Garment A Month project I made Butterick 5652- view A

The theme was to be spring flowers-showers,and colour blocking.

I think I cheated.

First off this pattern is super or stupid easy. Front / back / done. This is the same pattern I used to make my jumpsuit. I like it when I get my money's worth out of a pattern.

I used a panel print that I didn't want to chop up so I placed the front on the fold, avoiding the center seam. I altered the neckline by adding a slight curve to it rather then just a straight triangle. Kinda softens it a little. I know this because this is the second one I have made and I like my version better. Ha! And I wanted to use my new French curve tool. I also added black binding on the neck to add contrast.

This is such a bad photo of the fabric, but there are yellow flowers on it and grey clouds behind the city scape of Paris. My cheat? I used a plain black knit for the back. It's a stretch , but that's my colour blocking!!

I have my eyes closed wishing I was in Paris!

This was the first one I made. This is an extra small. Believe it or not!!!! My usual size is 8-10 so I am swimming in this. This will be in my suit case for Mexico next year. A great beach cover up.

I love this fabric. Leopard print butterflies. For an old cougar in the spring!! Strangers have complimented this fabric. I have a few scraps left over, I'll try to squeeze out some cap sleeves with them. I want to use up every little piece.

Thanks for stopping by.

Your comments are always welcome.

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Butterick 5652 Fast & Easy

This is such a strange little pattern- a dress, a top, a jumpsuit, pants, and what the heck- lets throw a muumuu in there! 5652

I picked this because I liked the top, then decided on the jumpsuit. I read some reviews on the PR website , after I bought it, of course, most were not highly recommended. However I listened carefully to what they had to say and took the advice. Very loose fitting, usually means huge, so I cut out an extra small, if you can believe it, and it was still way too big. The rise fit just perfect , that was my major concern. The pant length was bizarre- never in fashion history, have pants ever been cut at that spot. Why you ask? Because it's awful and unflattering on every body type! I added around 6" to make them real pants. I also added 1" to the sleeve length.

Still, I just had a hunch I would love this pattern. Although this jumpsuit is a totally modified from the original, it had the right bones. I liked the simplicity - only 2 pieces! ( and pockets)The sleeves gave me the right amount of coverage I was looking for.

This fabric was a dream to sew with. I picked it up at expo- can't remember the booth. I wish I had bolts of it!!! Sadly it's all gone now. I think it would be a double knit of some sort, fiber content escapes me too. I did pre wash it in hot water and the dyer, so I'm good to go. I had to use a press cloth and a clapper for all my seams so there must be poly in it. I has such a nice weight and drape and a bit of stretch, and it feels yummy and rich.

The original pattern had a 22" zipper in the back (I could just see that as a disaster with my tiny bladder.) so I moved the zipper to the front. Used a shorter one and did an exposed application.

Omitted the side pockets after much debate. So glad I did. I took in the side seams around the waist area only and some from the center back seam. Then I added long fish eye darts.

Zippers are my Kryptonite. I always shy away from them but there was no getting around it on this one. I added fusable interfacing to stabilize it. That really helped. And I just went slow.... I only had to pick it out twice:(. I'm happy with how it turned out.) FYI , the Internet could use a few good tutorials on exsposed zipper applications.

It took me a few days to figure out the belt loop thing. Right up to the last second I was sure I was going to add waist pleats - circa 1930's /40's style. Then decided I liked the clean lines look better.

For all my hems I used bias lace and hand stitched them. The neck edge is bias tape, turn, hand stitch. Just nice and clean. There was no serger used on this garment at all as it add too much bulk to the seams. This fabric will not fray.

I positioned the belt loops higher at the back so my belt would sit lower on the front- I loath waist belts on me. I think they make me look too booby. Men might question that concept but I learned long ago to dress for myself.

Back view. Thank you Spanks for keeping it all together. A girls best friend!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

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Finished graffiti top

Butterick 5955 view D

Ok, the husband really likes this one- go figure!?

It's not as loud in real life either. I don't understand cameras and light and whatnot. It quite subtle, black,grey,silver and mauve.

My tip of the day; don't set your iron on high when you are pressing polyester !! Nearly had a disaster. Slightly melted the inside of the lace sleeve. It's a bit crusty. Only I will know and who ever reads this!

Changed the neckline by adding a 2" binding and then stitching up the front seam. Much nicer finish then the pattern called for.

Used Shiva Paintsticks and stencils for my graffiti- see previous post. Heat set with the iron and put it in a hot dryer. It's still a bit 'stinky' (smells like oil paint), but that will disapate in a week or so.

Well that was fun! Now on to my next project.

 

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Butterick 5955

Butterick 5955 very loose fitting top

One pattern, two very different looks.I bought this pattern because I thought it would be great to use up all those remnants and left over bits and pieces of woven fabrics that I have hanging about.

So far I have made it twice - both times with knits. Still stash busting,but this pattern is designed for wovens- Oh well, what ever. With such a simple pattern I thought it was a great opportunity to make a few creative mixes of fabric, which is so trendy right now.

Here are my fabric choices . One is a gorgeous ,delicious velvet burnout and a very fine, dotted, low stretch net. Both of these I purchased from the Sewing Workshop booth when the Stitch Expo was in town. I noticed an edge finish she used, involving a thin 1/4" braid. I happen have some similar in my stash, so I'll give it a whirl. That's why I love going to trade shows - I always learn something new!

I applied the trim by laying it on the fabric about a half inch from the edge,and straight stitched. Do not stretch your fabric. Then I folded the the fabric to the back and straight stitched again. Stopping and starting at an inconspicuous spot- then do a little zig zag to lock it in place. Then carefully trim away the excess on the back, close to stitching. It turned out flawless.

For the second version I chose a boring grey Lycra jersey, and added black stretch lace for the back yoke.

Still boring. Then I get an idea- lately I have been liking all the writing and graffiti on everything...

So I got out my Shiva Paintsticks and stencils and got busy playing.

This is what I've got so far.

Rather then just random words or letters I thought I would use inspirational words and phrases that have meaning to me. I toyed with the idea of putting a zipper down the front but didn't like how it looked with the v neck, I would have to pre plan that- maybe round out the neck line. In fact I think I will do that on another version in a heavier fabric. I do think if I make this In a woven I will grade down a size or two, it is very loose fitting, I think it will be too billowy if I don't.

I don't remember what the instructions are for the neckline finish, I just know I didn't like them. So I've decided to use a 2" binding,folded in half, stitched to the outside then flipped up. Then I will sew up the front seam.

I was at the West Edmonton mall today and I saw this top in a store. I really like the zipper neckline and thought it might make a nice finish for this top in one of my next versions of it.

Well that's all I have for today. My graffiti top won't be finished for a few days.

 

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