Strapless in Seattle

I’ve read that strapless dresses are suited for women who have toned and sexy upper body… my take on this is if one can’t pull off a strapless dress, GO FOR IT ANYWAY! It’s Summer, Hot and Sleeves be damned. If asked about my wings & brolic shoulders… I will kindly tell them it’s to combat the evil and judgmental…. Now Take That!!

Enter Butterick 5351: Above mid-knee sundress with variations: fitted or loose-fitting bodice, straps or strapless, bottom ruffle option with an A-line skirt & back zipper.

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

If my guy could see me now.. too bad he's still snoring

he would have a fit that I picked a rose from his beautiful rose bush.... evil snickering

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy enough, although I am not a fan of zippers,  this one went in effortlessly.  However, I need to change the hook & eye, I used a large hook and eye and its a eye sore... pun intended.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? During the Memorial Day Weekend in an attempt to wear something comfortable, I’d refashioned a maxi dress I made last year by just cutting off the straps. Immediately I noted that I’d like to have another one and hence the sewing of B5351.


Fabric Used: Pink/orange Paisley Poly/Cotton

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I omitted the ruffle band, lined the skirt and made a belt from the fashion fabric.

Ahhh... a cool breeze and the joy of spreading my wings

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would recommend it and thinking about making it again in a knit.

What a beautiful morning....

As far as it being fast... umm  nerp, it took all day Saturday, but I enjoyed it since I was able to watch replays of my favorite tv shows.

Off to make it all right,

coffee and a flower on his nightstand

will keep him from growling about his precious rose bush...

yeah that's what I'll do....lol

Jewlery Making: I have a love affair with pendants, if one is looking for a quick jewlery idea.  I buy earrings to use as pendants. For this necklace I added both pieces to my chain.  I removed the clip-on portion of the earrings (of course it was like pulling teeth, but managed to separate w/o major damage) and used the large circles to attach to my chain using silver rings that you can get from any craft store. As for the clip-on portion of the earrings... I'm wearing them....Presto!!

What I wore today..

McCalls 6026

is now coined My Memorial McCalls Dress since I was able to sew 3 dresses over the Memorial Day Weekend.  McCalls 6026 is a close fitting pullover dress with sleeve variations and a self-belt.

 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No

Were the instructions easy to follow? I pinned the instructions to my inspiration board, looked at the fabric layout and forgot about it.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the simplicity of the dress.  After looking at the cover pic closely I realized I did not like the sleeves.


Fabric Used: 1st Dress I used a geometric black/white poly/lycra; 2nd Dress a dark taupe pinstripe Poly/cotton & 3rd Dress a floral cotton/lycra


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I omitted the sleeves preferring the look of quasi-cap sleeves, also opted out of using the facing, as well as the belt.  With the armholes being so big, I sewed the side seams up and continuing for another 2" to prevent too much armpit from showing.  The black/white dress' seams were serged and the hems were serged as well and folded to the inside and final stitched.  The floral dress required a lining, I didn't think it had the right hang like the black/white poly/lycra dress.  Of course, I had to try it in a woven and cut the dress by adding 1" to the side seams.  I also added darts to this dress for more shaping (I made a dart template for patterns that don't have it just in case I needed it and the occassion arose with the woven dress.). The dk taupe pinstripe dress' seams were serged as well and unlined and will wear a full slip underneath it. In the pic its showing wrinkles since I washed it and laid it flat to dry and threw it on for a photo session...lol

I added lace to the lining hem.

To keep the lining from rolling to the outside of the dress, I did an edge stitch.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I think after making 3 dresses, I would like to sew up the other dresses in my sewing que.

Conclusion: With the weather warming up considerably, I was looking for an effortless pullover & easy-breezy style dress for work. I wore the black/white one today and it was perfect.