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Sunday, December 4, 2011

Black Retro Dress - Butterick 5603

Back to the retro dresses!  I was hoping this dress wouldn't be too much of a full skirt to get away with wearing at the office. I chose a black polyester that had a lot of give.  Not quite lycra, but probably close.  This time I cut the pattern to my size, trying to get away from my fear of cutting the pieces too small and ruining the fabric.
Here is the pattern cover.


I still ended up taking in the sides because I wanted it to be snug like the picture on the pattern and I figured because it is spandex, I had a little room to play with.

Unfortunately, I ended up taking in too much at the armhole.  It felt fine when I was sewing and fitting, but then when I wore it to work, the zipper rubbed too much at the armpit and was really uncomfortable by the end of the day.

The front should have a bow on it, but I didn't add one.

On this pattern, I found the edging around the front to be challenging.  The back V-neck was very difficult to understand how to attach.  I did youtube searches for how to make a v-neck but didn't find much.

Here are the results - It isn't great so far.  I'd love to find a tutorial that teaches a v-neck better than the pattern did.


Next step:  take apart the zipper and arm hole to make a little more room and re-do the v-neck in back.  The fit is great and I like the style of the pattern, so I would definitely make it again.

6 comments:

  1. another pattern I've had my eye on! (Just haven't found it at the right price yet) I would forego the bow as well.

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  2. Thanks for sharing. I have been working on this pattern in the last two weeks. I had difficulties in sewing the v-neck and the front neck band as well. I found the front neck band is too short for the neck edge? Maybe it's designed to be like that.

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  3. Hi there, when making a v' neck; it is important to cut the fabric on the bias and then make little snips into the seam allowance - I make clothes and soft furninshings and you may find that if you look in a soft furnishing book at how to make bias binding (cutting shapes); you may understand more about cutting angles for your V neck. It is important to make snips in your fabric at the point of the 'V' and around the shape, this prevents the fabric looking wrinkled and messy. Hope that this helps.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the tip! I am planning on making this one again, so I'll definitely take your advice.

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  4. this is soo pretty... I have this pattern and have been wanting to make it but was worried about the mid section part bc I'm really short... but I love this on you ...sooo going to have to buy some fabric!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks... I can't wait to try to sew it again. I have learned a lot in the past year and would like to try it again. This was only the third or fourth dress I had sewn. I would still recommend the pattern, though.

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