I finished this dress two days before my vacation. Into the suitcase it went. The bright orange/white with royal blue floral knit was perfect for the sunny days of my Los Cabos vacation. But I didn't get a chance to wear it! Grrrgh..., Missed opportunity for a great photo shoot.
No worries. Summer is coming! And I'll have plenty of opportunities to wear it here is the States. But today, I wanted to take this opportunity to share my experience of making it.
My fabric comes from Mood Fabrics. It's labelled Bright Orange White and Royal Blue Floral Printed Lightweight Ponte knit. It has a smooth hand and has a firm weave with about 30% stretch. Excellent recovery. The colors are vibrant and rich. Great print and color combination; perfect for summer.
The pattern used is Butterick B6680, published last year. It is described as: Misses' dress dress A, B, C is close-fitting with side gathers, neck and armhole bands; and slightly flared hem in three lengths. I made view B below mid-knee length. The pattern is available is sizes 6 to 22. I used size 16 with modifications.
Three dress was on my to make list last year, but I didn't get around to making it until now. I did a little online research to see if others had made it. This is another pattern that I didn't find many pattern review for. Only a few tried it, and they did not appear to have the same fit issues that I have. I must admit, once I started to prep the pattern I wondered if the ruching at the side would be problematic. Considering my swayback and the little fluff around the middle.
Anyway, I continued on with making a FBA. Nothing extraordinary. I just looked passed the curve on the left side where the ruching goes and followed the standard process of making a FBA. I decided if darts are needed, then I sew them in.
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| Initial Dart on Right Side Just above the ruching |
In the end I tested darts on both sides. It was perfect on the left side. But on the right side it didn't look good. So I plucked out the stitches and extended the ruching through the dart area. The construction process was to simply add the elastic. The difference created by the dart needed to be gathered; then sewn together and elasticized.
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| Final Right Side with No Dart |
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| Final Left Side with Dart |
With that little challenge out of the way, my thoughts turned to whether or not this would be a good look for me given my swayback coupled with the ruching. I did not do a swayback adjustment. My rationale was it's ruched. The extra would be ruched. Anyway, it's a little more ruching then seen in the photograph and drawing, but it a good look. So my only other fit adjustment was the prominent shoulder blade.
The instructions typical and easy. Nothing confusing Aside from my testing and adjusting, the dress went together very quickly.
I like the neck and armhole bands. They create a very nice finish to the dress. Godet of the right side and the flounce at the bottom of the dress add interest and flare, which I like as well.
No dislike.
This is a quick and easy dress to make if you don't have the FBA issue to address. It easy to wear. A nice casual summer dress that can be worn in the spring with a cardigan or jacket. I don't think I'll make it again, but I do recommend it to others.
Happy Sewing!
C
Very nice. I have this pattern and would like to make it. I also have to make a full bust adjustment. If you took pictures of your adjustments I would like to see them. I can't wait to see you wearing the dress.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lavonne. I didn't this time. It's just the standard one. On the right side, just follow the curve with the same distance from the edge.
DeleteVery colorful and summery! I have a similar pattern, and might be making that when the weather warms up some more. Because it can snow here until mid April, I try to avoid optimistic (warm) sewing until May!
ReplyDelete