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

60 comments:

  1. 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.

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

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  2. Your dress looks fantastic.

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

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  3. It looks great, love the ruffles and fabric!

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

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

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

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  5. Lovely dress I keep eyeing up that pattern very summery.

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

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

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

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  7. Looks great. Love the ruffles.

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

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  8. Absolutely gorgeous! I really love that beautiful fabric :)

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

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  9. 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.

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    1. 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

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  10. 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

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

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  11. 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.

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    1. 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

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

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    1. 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

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

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    1. 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

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

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

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  15. 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.

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

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

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

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    1. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  23. 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!

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    1. 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

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  24. 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.

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

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  25. 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.

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

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

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

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  28. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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  32. 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.

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

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