13.5.10

Butterick Wrap Dress

I'm feeling pretty happy with myself and my new dress...only I can't decide how to wear it...black side to front or white side to front.  What do you think? 

The fabric:  A nylon lycra print from EmmaOneSock.  Nylon lycra is not the best fabric for my climate, and it seems to snag very easily, but the print is just gorgeous, isn't it?  

The pattern:  I had every intention of using the renown Vogue 8379.  I had it sitting in front of my computer, as I was checking out all the 58 pattern reviews and was thinking that I would like to reduce the width of the skirt.  Then a friend came to borrow my computer and I haven't seen it since.  I don't know if I accidently packed it up in a book when I cleared space at the desk or if I took it away to study whilst she was at the computer.  I searched high and low for 3 days, then Butterick had a $3 pattern sale and I decided that I liked Butterick 5454.  I'm sure that the Vogue will turn up some day???

This one made up pretty quickly.  I got the pattern out yesterday, thinking that I would just work out what changes I needed to make.  That was easier than I thought, so I traced off the pattern, and lay it out on my fabric, seeing as there was a brief moment of clear space in our living room yesterday.  After school I started stitching it up and this morning there was only a bit of binding and the hem to go.  I thought I could get it done before making lunches, then someone reminded me that it was their turn to bring cakes to work.  A batch of cupcakes later and I had just 10 minutes  to spare.  Dress completed and on my way to school when I noticed that I had only hemmed one sleeve!  Not to mention all the mess in the kitchen that still awaits me.

I took a photo of my pattern layout, just in case it helps anyone else with a print that changes from selvedge to selvedge.  The only tricky bit was getting the back skirt side seams to match the front skirt side seams without putting a seam in the back skirt. 

I'm so chuffed with actually completing a garment so quickly that I would like to make the pattern up again before I put it away.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

I like the dark side to the front best....love how you worked with this print...it turned out great!

Bernice said...

Katherine that looks fabulous. Such a stunning print. The colours look wonderful on you. I like dark to the front best. Let's hope we have a cool autumn and and even cooler winter so it can get lots of wear.

Amanda S. said...

Love the new dress!!! I would have gone for that print, too, despite it's drawbacks. Very unusual and great colors. I personally like the white to the front. Guess I'm in the minority, though.

Sew-4-Fun said...

Lovely dress and fabric! I like the way you used the print. Personally I prefer the black on top of the white. It seems to make you look slimmer. Not that you need it. :)

Bernice said...

Actually on closer inspection I've decided I like both looks - dark for the evening/dressier look and light for a daytime summery/springtime look (not that you'll be wearing it in either of these seasons).

Karin van Dam said...

The dress looks lovely on you! I like the dark over light best. I think with the light over dark it's a bit more ... chaotic in some way. Still very nice, but I think dark over light is a bit more of a calmer look.

Mary Nanna said...

oooh I prefer the dark one to the front but that's just showing my dark gothic origins.

Nice dress and quick work too! how gratifying!

Thanks for your tips re sewing knits - unfortunately Bernina does not have a presser foot pressure dial so I can't adjust that - but I'll see if I can still use the blind hemming stitch with the walking foot - it's all worth a crack!

MushyWear said...

What a neat dress. Just lovely. I like the dark side on the front. Glad it worked out so easily for you!

Sue said...

Personally I prefer the dark side out, but you can't go wrong whichever way you wear it and at least you can mix it up depending on your mood!
Fab dress!

kbenco said...

I like dark side out too. I have V8279 on my sewing table at the moment (5th time now) but that Butterick wrap dress looks fabulous - great use of the colour changes in the fabric.

kbenco said...

Oops, typo, that would be 8379.
Karen

SEWN said...

I love this dress. If you ever make the vogue pls do a compare/contrast review! I prefer the darker side out but it's just my humble opinion.

Michelle said...

This is a great dress. I like both versions - might depend on the shoes as to which way you choose to wear it.

gwensews said...

Beautiful dress, and your use of the print is awesome. I like the black side to the front.

Nancy K said...

I'll add my two cents to this discussion. I like the dark side out and yes it is a gorgeous print and you've used it beautifully.

Sigrid said...

Love the print and the way you used it for this dress. Black side in front is my preference too.

Christina said...

How cool that you can have two looks from the same dress! I also prefer the black on top.

Gail said...

Beautiful fabric - I think the dark side is best, but you know either way is fine.