Butterick Summer Patterns . . . Are They Serious

Sooooo, I've been waiting and waiting to see Butterick's Summer 09 offerings certain that they would be fantasic after what we've seen from the other three for Summer. Imagine my shock and horror when I visited the site to find only 3 maybes out of 33 new offerings and the blatant replay of at least two patterns from Fall. I'm sorry but a sleeve variation does not a new pattern make. Here are my maybes

I like the sleeveless version better as the one with sleeves looks ill fitting on the model.

I actually really like version D but since I hardly ever wear strapless, I doubt that I will make this anytime in the near future but will probably still pick it up for $.99

I like View A of this pattern for the classic lines and style and it looks like it would be easy to put together.

The truth is, even though I'm sorely disappointed with the lack of new offerings, I'll be right in line to pick these up at the next $.99 sale.

Until then,

Happy Sewing

McCall's 5659 - Mother's Day Dress

Pattern Description: MISSES’ AND WOMEN’S DRESSES:

Dresses A, B, C have front pleats and contrast self-faced yoke; dress A has contrast hem band; dress B has purchased buttons, jewel stones or beads to creatively embellish yoke; dress C has patch pockets with pleats and contrast pocket bands; length is 2" above mid-knee.

Pattern Sizing: B5(8-10-12-14-16), RR(18W-20W-22W-24W), I made the 22W

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

Yes! I made view AWere the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were super easy which is one of the reasons I picked this pattern. I needed a dress to wear to dinner on Mothers Day but needed to be able to get it cut out and completed in one day. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the simplity of construction for something that is so stylish and that it worked up so quickly. I also liked the front pleat which gives the dress both shaping and functionality, the contrast band at the bottom which meant no hemming and that this dress has no zipper and goes on over your head. I liked that the dress has pockets because one of the reasons I don't wear dresses more is because I feel naked with no pockets. I liked that the yoke actually covers my bra straps without alteration unlike the circular yokes that are so popular. I also liked that this dress gave me enough room to not have to worry about holding my stomach in or worrying about Spanx but didn't look like a bag. No dislikes. I did have a little trouble making sure that pleat lined up in the middle but I just put the dress on my dress form to help with that and was able to get it right.

Fabric Used: A polyester woven from JoAnn's I got months ago and earmarked for a different pattern for the dress and a gaberdine solid for the contrast yoke. This was a great fabric choice as it made the dress really flowy (is that a word).

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:

Because of the pleat in the front, I didn't have to do my usual FBA.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I definitely will be sewing this dress again at least twice. Depending on the fabric used, it can be dressed up or down. I plan to make it in cotton next.

Conclusion:

I think this is a great little dress for summer and is quite stylish and easy to put together. Definitely one you might want to check out if you need something cute in a hurry.

My Latest Inspiration

This is my latest fashion inspiration. I'm trying to decide on a pattern to use as a base, here are my two choices.

Simplicity 2647 although rather than a deep V, this pattern features a cross over bodice but after seeing what they did with it in the recent issue of Sew Stylish it makes me think this might be a good candidate.

Simplicity 2647 variation in the Spring 09 edition.

OR

McCall's 5753 although it's looks funky on the envelope it's a create it pattern so you can use the bodice and/or sleeve variations. This dress stays more true to the lines of the inspiration dress including the deep V but I already own the Simplicity pattern and would have to buy the McCall's pattern so we'll see. Until then. . .

Happy Sewing

What No Patterns!!!!

I just returned from my weekly (it seems) trip to my local Hancock because I noticed that today the McCall's patterns were .99 cents. I thought it would be great to go and pick up the new summer patterns even if I don't plan on sewing anything from them yet. First it takes me quite a while to locate the a pattern book only to find that the latest one they have is early summer which came out some time ago, then after going to the McCall's website on my phone (I love my phone by the way) see that they don't have any of the new patterns in the drawers. It only got more frustrating when I asked the woman working there about the new patterns and she looked at me as if I was speaking Greek! Needless to say the trip was a complete waste of time. Hopefully they'll have the new patterns by the time the next sale rolls around.

McCall's Summer Patterns

McCall's Summer 09 patterns came out today and here are a few of my favorites.

5892 - I like this as a basic dress I can dress up or down. I suspect I would need to wear a belt for shaping based on the photos but who knows.

5886 - I think view D will be cute with jeans or a skirt for summer.

5882 - I think this is my favorite of all and one I will definitely be making this summer.

5880 - I like the top version of this pattern summer because it looks loose and flowy although I don't know how it would work with bra straps so I'm not sure if it will make my project list.

Overall, I was unimpressed with the 35 pattern summer offering. There was only one pattern that I really liked and a few others that might be interesting. It's just as well as a I have a ton of patterns just waiting to be sewn. Maybe Butterick will have something better to offer.

Until then . . . Happy Sewing

Kelly

Pattern Shopping

I went pattern shopping on Friday once I saw that Simplicity patterns would be on sale for .99 cents. I picked up all of my faves plus a few more. I promised myself that I would only get the patterns and get out, 20 yards of fabric later, I left with a promise to stay out of the fabric store, quite frankly I'm running out of places to hide, I mean store my fabric. Although, I can't make any promises about when McCall's and Butterick's summer patterns arrive. I can't wait for the end of the month when I'll be on vacation to really dig in. Until then. . . Happy Sewing.

Simplicity for Summer 2009

Hi, this is my first blog post so I thought what better way than to preview some of my favorite new Simplicity Patterns for Summer.