Sunday, August 8, 2010

Butterick 5212

  I'm so happy this dress came together  because I was sewing on it up until I walked out of the house this morning for church. A couple of posts ago I mentioned that I needed a white dress (the bride requested everyone wear white while she wore silver) for a wedding that would be taking place after our church service. I found out about the wedding and dress code on last Sunday so I had to move fast to pick a pattern, fabric, and complete a dress. Well I did (Thank you Jesus, indeed) and I'm so happy about the end result. Although I've never had any real desire to own, or even sew a white dress, this was a great first time experience. I'm not in any rush to sew another but definitely would love to sew a white pants suit one day. Lastly, I managed to wear it all day without getting any major stains. Hey, with an almost 3 y.o., that's a MAJOR accomplishment (wink)!
   Butterick 5212
 
Pattern Description:
Fitted, sleeveless, lined bodice with gathers in front, pleats at shoulders and side zipper closing. Optional stones or jewels on midriff. A: below mid-knee length.

Pattern Sizing:
I used the size 12 for my bust and graded up to a size 14 for my waist and hips.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very much so. Sewing this dress was a complete piece of cake, minus my stupid snafus!!!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The pattern was well drafted. There was really nothing not to like. I loved the fact that the skirt was cut on the bias. Anything on the bias just hugs you body much better!!! I also appreciated that the zipper was on the side as opposed to the back. The back of a bias dress always looks better and smoother without a zipper.

Fabric Used:
I believe it was a peachskin, by the way it felt. I have to look that up to be sure. I know that one side was shiny and the other was matte with the fuzzy feel to it. I used the matte side since the shiny side didn't look as good on my complexion. If I do white, stark white is the best bet for me:)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made the following changes:
*I added a lining for the skirt. I mean it's white, I really didn't have a choice:)
*I tried to find fancy stones to embellish my dress but that was a nightmare (I'll blog about that later). So I ran across this gorgeous  ribbon with Greek key design. This dress was reminiscent of a Greek goddess so I thought it would be befitting. After fumbling around and my Hubby's input, I ended up with placing it on the dress as you see it.
*FYI: Of course I hung my skirt lining and skirt fabric for 24 hours since it was cut on the bias and needed to stretch out. Hanging for me means pinning the waistline of back and front skirts together and draping over a hanger to hang.

(Rear view. Sorry for the wrinkles, I've been wearing it for the last 7 hours. The upper back wrinkles are part of the design and a result of the pleated shoulders.)
(Close-up on the trim)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I definitely will but I have to do it in a print. It's so hard for me to just sew solid colored pieces sometimes. It was even more difficult to sew this dress in white, but it turned out lovely and I'm happy I did.

Conclusion:
Great dress. You can dress it up or dress it down. The silhouette is lovely and it's easy to sew. What more could you want (wink)!

40 comments:

  1. The trim is perfect for this dress! I love the greek key design and use it often. I'm going to make this pattern myself for summer because it's a perfect summer dress that can be dressed up or down. I'm still impressed that you're brave enough to wear white. You look lovely!

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  2. Your dress turned out lovely! I really like the trim you added. As one with an almost-three-year-old also, I'd have to say I'm just as impressed that you kept your dress clean as I am with the finished dress! :)

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  3. Just lovely! It's great with the shoes and, even though I'm not into white, it really looks nice. The style is both flattering and modest (key for a wedding). Great job.

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  4. You did an awesome job on the dress and it looks great on you. I also try to avoid wearing white as much as possible, and even more so to sew something.

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  5. That dress is a real winner. I love the shape on you and your trim is just the right thing for this style. Beautiful!

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  6. I love this dress... the classic lines, the greek key embellishment and the way it looks on you. Hooray for keeping it white, too!

    Yes, It's definitely a winner!

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  7. You look beautiful in it - gorgeous style on you and I love the trim.

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  8. Fantastic dress. The greek key trim was the 'piece 'de resistance'

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  9. Very pretty dress, and I love the gold accents. White is definitely one of your colors. I think a white pantsuit would be awesome.

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  10. You did an awesome job...your dress is beautiful and the trim is perfect.

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  11. So pretty and the trim is just what it needed, your sandles are really cute too.

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  12. Very pretty and simple, and the belt is a great accent. This pattern was a great choice for a white dress.

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  13. So pretty, crisp and clean. Did you do an FBA, the bust fit you so perfect!

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  14. Hey Kim,
    I didn't have to do a FBA, come to think of it I've never had to actually do one for myself. I'm only a 36C and I guess the fit probably gives the illusion of a larger bust (hey illusions work great for me--I'll take all the help I can get LOL!!!). The bodice fit was snug so a FBA would definitely be needed for someone with a larger size:)

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  15. Very pretty dress, and I love the trim! (I linked here from your review on PR)

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  16. Great looking dress, and you wear it well!

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  17. It's gorgeous. Love the trim.

    Trudy
    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  18. You look fabulous in that dress:) I love the trim too, it so fits to this dress.

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  19. Gorgeous! This is on my to-sew list so it's great to see it all made up.

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  20. Gorgeous dress, and you look great in white!

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  21. The white look great against your complexion, this is a beautiful dress

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  22. If I looked as great as you do in this dress, I would never take it off, well maybe for gardening
    8-)

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  23. Looks beautiful and I love the trim. It really echoes the feel of the dress without going over the top.

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  24. Beautiful dress! It looks great on you!

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  25. I love the trim! That shade of white is stunning on your skin tone! I have to be very careful with white with my fair skin tone and blonde hair. I do much better with an off-white/ivory. Gorgeous dress as usual!

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  26. Great job! The dress (and you) look terrific.

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  27. I am loving that dress on you! You look great in white. Nice job!

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  28. Wow! Fabulous dress. It's interesting that you made this dress because you had to have a white dress and needed it fast but you were so up to the challenge - it has turned out to be stunning. I think it's totally you - very flattering and the Greek godess trim makes the dress look very special and expensive. You definitely have to make this one again - it's a winner!

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  29. Beautiful dress, you look fabulous, and the white really suites you

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  30. Mission accomplished. The dress is beautiful and you look great in it.

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  31. Stunning! You wear it very well, and the trim was just the right touch! You shined!

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  32. You look fabulous in white. Your dress is very becomming. The fabric sounds as if it could be crepe-back satin. Wow, I wonder if everyone at the wedding managed to find something white to wear? Not an easy request. Good job!

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  33. Lindo vestido branco! Há muito tempo que estou com vontade de fazer um. Adorei o detalhe do galão na cintura, ficou muito elegante!

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  34. It came out gorgeous! It must have been a beautiful wedding to attend.

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  35. A beautiful dress- it looks great on you!
    I love this pattern and it must necessarily sew.

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  36. Oh my goodness Victoria, you look like a greek goddess yourself! This dress turned out beautiful and just goregous on you. Those shoes are to die for! That pattern would make a great LBD as well!! Great job under pressure!

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  37. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for the nice comment you left regarding my photo shoot with the skirt I made.

    http://sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com/2010/08/photo-shoot-of-retro-skirt.html

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  38. FABULOUS!!!! I love it! Adding the Greek inspired trim was a great final touch! Well done, Victoria!

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  39. It's lovely! I really like how you added the trim to the waistline.

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