Retro Yellow Dress - Butterick 5748

 
 I sewed Butterick 5748, a retro pattern from 1960.

I have always drooled over the fabric in the quilting sections of the store - there is so much more choice of color and patterns than in any of the apparel sections.  So I thought I would give it a try.  This fabric is a cotton quilting fabric.


The pattern called for only the bodice to be lined, but I decided to line the entire dress with a cotton muslin lining since quilting fabric tends to be thinner than apparel fabric.

 Part of the reason I chose the pattern was because it didn't look like it on the picture on the front that this is a full circle skirt.  However, it is.  I wore it to a potluck and ended up taking up more than my fair share of the room on the couch with extra material spilling out all around me.  Being in a car is also interesting, since I have to make sure the skirt won't get caught in the door when I close it.

Overall, I am happy with the way it fits and adjusted very little of the pattern.  I sewed a muslin first, then adjusted to a size smaller.  I think that if you want a snug fit in the bodice, choose a size smaller than the pattern measurements indicate.

 I made two deviations from the original pattern - on is that I sewed much more severe darts in the front.  I wanted it really  snug at the waist and then open up at the bust. 

 
The other is that I added a quilt binding as a trim on all of the dress edges.  It is probably breaking some kind of rule to use it, but I really like the effect.  All of the edges are very clean, which seemed good because the cotton is thin.  The edging made the dress more substantial.

I was able to use the serger to finish the edges on the zipper - which makes everything look really tidy.

I used the serger on the bottom of the lining on the inside of the dress.  I like the look of it and it was so much easier than trying to hem it.

I am really happy the way it turned out and would definitely recommend the pattern. 









UPDATE:
I have now made a petticoat to wear under the dress.  I even posted the tutorial.  Here are the results.

Dress without petticoat.

Dress with petticoat.