Butterick 5601---The denim "cut-out" dress!

Let's just say I'm surprised this dress turned out so nicely! I'd like to put emphasis on the word "surprise". There were a few times I was having second thoughts! The design lines are really what attracted me to this pattern. The front is modest and really sets the stage for the "wow-factor" that is the back. I love the triangular "cut-out". Originally I was going to make this dress in black. I had the perfect piece of Black stretch sateen for it. I'm in such a need for a LBD. But at the last minute I thought I'd switch it up to denim to make it pop a little more and to make the design lines more visible. As I mentioned in my last post, I have a newfound love for denim.  When I changed my mind that was exactly when "I hopped in the car and took a drive down insecure highway"! LOL! I wasn't feeling exactly sure on my choice of denim fabric. I had to do a bit of tweaking to get the fit just right. But all in all I think it turned out nice. This dress is a great canvas for accessories, especially if made up in a plain color fabric. I threw on a brown belt and bracelet, and cheetah print earrings and shoes! So in the end, everything seemed to work out all right. Here's the details on the dress.....

Butterick 5601

Time to Sew:
This dress took approximately 45 minutes to cut out and took about 6 hours to sew up! I cut out on Friday night and began sewing on Saturday afternoon. I made a muslin to test the fit and that was 1 hour or so.

Sewing ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):
I'd rate it a 5!

Pattern Description: Close fitting, straight, dress with cut out design in back.

Pattern Sizing:I cut the size 12 of view A.

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


Were the instructions easy to follow?Yeah, super simple!!!!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved the back view and how it contrasted with the demure front view!!!!

 ( I LOVE the back!!! The back bodice wrinkling due to belt. BTW, the button was sewn further right then noted in the instructions. The back still retains the triangular cut out shape so all is good!)

Fabric Used:
Dark Indigo blue stretch denim.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:-Took 1 1/4" out of center back seam on each bodice tapering down to about 6".
-Added 3" to the hem.
-Had to sew the back yoke a little lower into back bodice to prevent gaposis.
-Interfaced front & back yoke pieces since denim was so stretchy. Didn't want those stretching out of place.
-Added fusible stay tape at both the bodice front and back (seam line and waist line) to prevent stretching.
-I used the denim as a lining only on the front and back yoke. I used a cotton stretch poplin (in plaid) to line the bodice. In order to give the denim more stability I sewed the lining and denim together at the waist. That kept the bodice from stretching too much.

 (inside the dress)

What would you do differently next time?
-I'd interface the bodice back and front to limit stretching---especially if I had a pretty stretchy fabric.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Not sure! It's kinda a one-of-a-kind dress! But I wholeheartedly recommend it!!!

                                                      
Conclusion: Excellent dress! Easy to sew and so stylish!!!