Dress for my sister and first FBA

This is the third time I sew a garment using Butterick 5873. My sister really liked my wool dress, and asked me to sew the one for her.

For the first time I did full bust adjustment (FBA) for the pattern. After reading several tutorials, I managed to do it myself. It was a bit tricky to figure out how to do it on wrap dress. I cut the pattern and make alterations on the bodice, and then adjusted skirt. I added 5 cm on each side of the bodice It ended up with extra 5 cm at the waist, but it was exactly what I needed.

I'm very glad with results.

Corduroy dress

As I was preparing 2014 round up, I noticed that some garments did not featured on the blog. In order to keep the record I will try post them before year end.
So I'm starting with the dress I made for little Gosia, my friend's daughter. I used New Look 6061. I cut the smallest size, but it turned out to be too big, so I don't have photos on the model. The fabric is cotton corduroy with cute flower print.

Wool dress

It's another dress made using Butterick 5873 (here is previous one). This time it's fall/winter version with three-quarter sleeves. I made it in wool blend in deept burgundy colour.
I sew this dress in October, and unfortunately I don't remember, if I made any alterions. I post it to keep some kind of record of my projects.

Back view:

Close up:

Sporty dress

I wanted casual or rather sporty dress for a long time. But I could not find the right pattern. I visualised dress with hood and kangaroo pockets. When I saw this sweatshirt knit online I instantly knew that it will be perfect for my project. All I needed was to create the pattern.

As a base I took Mc Calls 6612. The perfect hood  and pocket I found in Burda 11-2007-118.

As in previous versions of this pattern, I added back darts. All hems (including hood) are coverstiched.

 

Photos by my sister.

Business casual skirt

It has been no sewing in my life recently, but I have few pieces I haven't blogged about. One of them is pencil skirt for summer. 

I used the same pattern as for silk skirt I sewed earlier this year (from Burda 08-2007). The fabric is cotton-lycra twill I bought online at NATAN store. I like the colour combination very much.

Back view:

It starts with fabric ....

I bought this bold print knit in January, during my first fabric shopping in Warsaw. I didn't have any specific pattern in mind, but I wanted to make a dress from it. Unfortunately, each time I tried to find pattern, it turned out, that I don't have enough fabric. Luckily, the next time I visited that shop, I managed to buy additional yardage.

I decided to make maxi dress with McCall's 6700.

 I cut size 10, and I did not make any alteration apart from 1.5 cm short waist adjustment. Next time I should lenghten bodice front (circa 2.5 cm at center front, tapering to nothing at side seams).

The neckline is cut very low, and gaping a bit, I could have overlap front pieces by few more centimetres (I think I might rip waist seam and correct it, because it's annoying).

In order to stabilise neckline I fused a strip of knit interfacing. Then I finished it with coverstich. To make shoulder gathers I stitched clear elastic over shoulder seam (it looks more like RTW clothes)

Back view:

Eventually I added back ties, to keep back in place.

I wish I sewed this dress earlier this year, not in the end of summer. Despite minor imperfections I think this is lovely dress and will get a lot of wear next year.

Perfect summer dress

I wonder why this pattern (Butterick 5873) is not very popular among Pattern Review members. It's such any easy and stylish dress.
Here is my review:

 Pattern Description: Close-fitting, above mid-knee length dress has mock wrap front, gathered at left side, collar, collar band, raglan sleeve, side zipper and stitched hems. I made view B with short sleeves but without sash.

Pattern Sizing: I cut bodice 10, and graded to 12 at waist and hips.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, there were fairly easy. Although I changed order of construction, first sew attached sleeves to the bodice, then serged side seams. I also used coverstich machine to finish hems

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the silhouette of the dress, which is very slimming. I like side gathers. No dislikes

Fabric Used: Raoyn lycra knit. I think it was perfect fabric-pattern combination, the knit has just enough weight for gathers.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: My usual alteration ie removing 1.5 cm from waist area. I also took in 1 cm at sleeves seam.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might sew view A with longer sleeves for fall.

Conclusion: I wonder why this pattern is not very popular at PR. For me it's a winner, the best summer dress! It's comfortable to wear, yet stylish. 

And photos:

Side gathers:

Back view: