Saturday, 2 November 2013

Hope the bees ...


... don't chase me in this bright floral dress! Butterick 5917 is finished! And do you know it really didn't take me that long at all. This was just the perfect pattern to sew ~ who would have thought a dress could be this easy ... 

The main feature of this dress is the gorgeous ruffle hugging the chest and neck areas ...
It is double folded, and just ever so easy to gather and insert! And in between is a little modesty panel ~ but I am seeing great ideas to use a lace insert here for a night-time feature. I played around with this little piece of fabric till I was happy with where it fell on my chest ~ too high and it made me look old, too low and everything under was on display!

The ruffle goes around the neck, and joins in with the invisible centre back zipper ...

 I, naturally, needed a new pair of fresh white shoes to wear, and a new bag ~ but I think the bag is a little big for me ... will just have to keep shopping ... 

 That is my November dress in the Make a Garment A Month Challenge! 

 So I am adding my dress into the Butterick 5917 Wall-of-Fame! Check out all the other versions of this pattern that have been beautifully sewn ... 
Dellia Laugh Out Loud (and her dress-of-tears!)
Danvillegirl (has made 2 versions)
PrincessLeah1 (used a knit fabric)
Toy from trinilove (made a very classy LBD)
The Winter Queen (mixed it up with colour-blocking)
GoodbyeValentino (another with 2 versions)
Trinicity (and her smashing LBD)
Llanogirl (with a great vent finishing idea)
Jstarr (and her fav summer dress)

Each and every reviewer of this pattern has some brilliant tips and tricks for finishing off this gorgeous dress. Unanimous vote appears to be that Butterick 5817 is a winner ... I planned to wear this dress to my son's Valedictory in a few weeks ~ picture of me wearing it then ... J
Posted by at

60 comments:

  1. Faye Lewis2 November 2013 at 22:05

    You have a real winner with that dress. So cheery, I'm sure if the bees do chase you it'll be because the dress is so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 00:18

      I'll be wearing heels with this dress so probs won't be able to outrun the bees ... J

      Delete
  2. Marie2 November 2013 at 23:48

    Your dress looks fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 00:19

      Thanks, Marie! It was a little out of my comfort zone colour wise initially, but it is growing on me very quickly ... J

      Delete
  3. Suzy3 November 2013 at 00:09

    It looks great, love the ruffles and fabric!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 00:19

      I know, those ruffles are great! They sit neatly and really are not 'out-there' style-wise ... J

      Delete
  4. KathyS3 November 2013 at 00:33

    That is a very pretty dress. The ruffles are perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:22

      Thanks, Kathy! It is a breeze to wear .. J

      Delete
  5. Louise3 November 2013 at 00:45

    Lovely dress I keep eyeing up that pattern very summery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:23

      Luckily it is heading into the full on Summer months here so I should get plenty of wear out of it ... J

      Delete
  6. Hana 3 November 2013 at 00:47

    Gorgeous dress! I love the bright floral fabric. Can not wait to see your picture wearing this dress :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:23

      Well you will only have to wait just under 2 weeks ~ just enough time for me to find a new matching bag ... J

      Delete
  7. glorm3 November 2013 at 00:48

    Looks great. Love the ruffles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:24

      And I am not usually a ruffly type wearer, but these are just perfect ... J

      Delete
  8. Carolyn3 November 2013 at 01:53

    Absolutely gorgeous! I really love that beautiful fabric :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:25

      Well the last day of Year 12 should be a bright happy day, right? And I think this fabric sums it up perfectly ... J

      Delete
  9. Sarah Liz3 November 2013 at 01:06

    Judith, this dress is just stunning - and the fabric is superb. Now wonder you had to find some pretty shoes to go with it. You will steal the show :) I love the little B5917 board you have made - it seems to be a universally flattering dress. I thought a little lace insert would work well on this dress too.

    Looking forward to seeing pictures of the big day with your son :)

    I'll post in the next update.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:26

      I am bound to have plenty of piccies to post ~ but usually I am behind the camera! Will have to make sure someone swaps spots for a minute or two ... J

      Delete
  10. Karen Pior3 November 2013 at 01:12

    I love, love, love it. Flowers and ruffles - just my kinda dress! Beautiful. And aren't you a smarty pants finishing the November garment two days into the month! Cheers, Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:27

      I must confess I did start this dress in October ~ couldn't be caught short for such an important occasion! ... J

      Delete
  11. Summer Flies3 November 2013 at 01:12

    I think this looks so lovely. I love that fabric and I love your new shoes! White peep toe sling backs... yes please. I have a vintage pattern that is so similar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:29

      It is such a great pattern, I am not surprised it has popped up before! Lucky for me Myers had a great sale and I was able to pick up these new summer shoes at a great price. I'm not usually a 'white-shoe-wearer' but these just fit perfectly ... J

      Delete
  12. Chris Lucas3 November 2013 at 01:39

    Judith I just love this dress and love your fabric... the combination is simply stunning :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:30

      Oh, thanks Chris! The colours are a little 'out-there' for me, but I just fell in love with the fabric. Maybe I could double up with this dress for a Melbourne Cup lunch ... J

      Delete
  13. Rosi3 November 2013 at 01:59

    Beautiful dress, I love the neck ruffles. Bag is awesome too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 02:31

      I SO LOVE THE BAG! It is the perfect size for everyday, but I am feeling it is a little too large for my special occasion ~ well, any excuse to hunt around for another one ... J

      Delete
  14. Sew, Jean Margaret3 November 2013 at 02:36

    Beautiful springtime dress. Love all the versions I have seen of this pattern, including yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 11:43

      All versions are just great, signs of a super pattern ... J

      Delete
  15. Linda L3 November 2013 at 05:16

    Judith, I just saw your review at PR! Your version is gorgeous using this pretty fabric!!! Look forward to seeing you wearing it. Your accessories will be perfect. Love the Butterick Hall of Fame collage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 11:44

      Thanks, Linda! Wearing it will certainly brighten up my day ... J

      Delete
  16. Andrea3 November 2013 at 06:37

    Gorgeous, Judith!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 11:44

      Thanks, Andrea! And it was a breeze to sew as well ... J

      Delete
  17. The Winter~Queen3 November 2013 at 07:21

    So pretty! And love your Wall of Fame! ;) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 11:45

      The Wall of Fame was a good way to showcase all the other versions made to date ~ always good to see how other's interpret a pattern ... J

      Delete
  18. gMarie3 November 2013 at 08:20

    Fabulous dress. Another winner to add to the Wall of Fame. Nice job. g

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 11:46

      I should have popped my version in with the other ones, there sure is some great sewers out there ... J

      Delete
  19. LyndaSewing.blogspot.com3 November 2013 at 08:58

    Lovely dress! I'm sure you're going to look fabulous and fresh in it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 11:47

      I can't wait to wear it, it will be a sad but happy day ... J

      Delete
  20. Mary3 November 2013 at 12:42

    That is the prettiest dress I have seen in an age. Wow!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 21:31

      Ohhhh, thanks Mary! Hope I do it justice when wearing it ... J

      Delete
  21. Merche Martinez3 November 2013 at 14:51

    Lovely dress! And the floral print is so lovely and colourful. You are going to look fantastic in it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 21:31

      Yes, and I am not usually a florally frilly type of person, but this just worked for me ... J

      Delete
  22. Sharon3 November 2013 at 19:03

    Gorgeous dress, love the floral print and accessories. This dress is on my todo list after seeing so many other wonderful creations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 21:32

      All the dresses from this pattern look fab! Can't wait to see your version added ... J

      Delete
  23. Graca3 November 2013 at 20:50

    Your dress is lovely! I think the print is beautiful and even though I am not a ruffle-type of gal, I do think it looks nice around the bodice and neckline. You did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 21:33

      And this ruffle would be easy enough to par down, or eliminate altogether if you wish ~ the bodice would still work a treat either way ... J

      Delete
  24. Patricia3 November 2013 at 20:52

    What a gorgeous dress for special occasions. I love that fabric, and having dismissed that pattern when I first saw it, now I love it too. It makes up beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 21:33

      And it is just perfect for our weather at the moment, sleeveless and flowery ... J

      Delete
  25. Sew Blessed Maw [Judy]3 November 2013 at 20:58

    Love your version.. Such a pretty floral.. This pattern is showing up all over the place. But, I have seen none , any prettier, than this one.. Happy sewing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith3 November 2013 at 21:34

      Well thanks for the great compliment, Judy! I really can't wait to wear it in just under 2 weeks ... J

      Delete
  26. Jacq C3 November 2013 at 23:15

    Absolutely gorgeous - you will look like the bee's knees! x

    ReplyDelete
  27. Judith4 November 2013 at 01:10

    Bee's knees ~ love it!!! ... J

    ReplyDelete
  28. Coco4 November 2013 at 04:16

    So so pretty! I adore your fabric. This is such a nice pattern - I'm not able to wear zippers, which limits some of my pattern choices. Do you think you could wiggle into this without the zipper (maybe in a knit)?

    You will look stunning at your son's big event. Enjoy and congrats to you both.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lisa4 November 2013 at 11:45

    Perfect dress for such a special occasion! It is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith4 November 2013 at 12:22

      Thanks, Lisa! For such a simple pattern it certainly makes up well ... J

      Delete
  30. Gail4 November 2013 at 17:23

    Sensational dress. It's amazing what a difference a ruffle or some other simple design element can make to a garment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith4 November 2013 at 18:00

      It really is ~ and such a simple ruffle to whip up as well ... J

      Delete
  31. Melwyk6 November 2013 at 13:26

    Love this pattern, and this fabric choice! So great, and so cheery.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous7 November 2013 at 12:55

    Your dress is beautiful. What type of fabric did you use? I have the same pattern and am trying to decide what fabric to make it in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 November 2013 at 13:05

      Oops, just saw on Pattern Review that it is a cotton sateen. Gorgeous!!

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)