I don't know about this, guys. I am not loving it - fabric or pattern. :-(
This is Butterick 6021. How cute is that pattern envelope? I was really drawn to the light blue version. Flowy and flouncy and just so cute for summer. The reality on me, though, doesn't quite translate, I'm afraid.
I do still like the hem on the skirt section, and the side view is cute. Actually, maybe this just wants to be a fun skirt. I could hack off the bodice easily enough and have a fun elasticized spring skirt.
The skirt is very full...
And it was very clever of Butterick to add a "lining" to the skirt, which is just a little pencil skirt to keep you covered during those inevitable windy moments.
I tried some accessorizing options. Here it is with my Lesley Pullover. These two pieces are a great match, but it was a bit bulky to wear. This is making me really consider turning this into a skirt, though.
Finally, another skein of yarn. I have enough of this for a full blown cardi, but I am thinking of some type of sleeveless top to wear with this once it becomes a skirt, because I'm pretty sure that is happening.
What do you think? Should I go with the skirt option, or does this have redeeming qualities I am missing? :-) I am going to wear this with a cardi today to do the music at a casual wedding, so I'll see how it feels to wear for longer than a little photoshoot.
This is Butterick 6021. How cute is that pattern envelope? I was really drawn to the light blue version. Flowy and flouncy and just so cute for summer. The reality on me, though, doesn't quite translate, I'm afraid.
For starters, the narrowest part of my waist is pretty high. Post-baby-making gut, I guess. The elasticized waist just naturally creeps up to the around the bottom of my rib cage, and I think it makes the proportions look different on me. I can pull it down, of course, but it just climbs back up. The second fit issue is the straps. They are a hair too wide-set for me, which is surprising since I have pretty broad shoulders for my size. Also, the armholes are a bit tight and uncomfortable. Of course, all of this could be easily fixed with a second version, but I'm not sure this dress is for me.
I do still like the hem on the skirt section, and the side view is cute. Actually, maybe this just wants to be a fun skirt. I could hack off the bodice easily enough and have a fun elasticized spring skirt.
The skirt is very full...
With the wide set shoulders, I'm surprised they covered my bra straps in the back long enough to take a pic! The fabric is from JoAnn Fabrics. I really like the floral print and overlooked the 100% polyester content. Oh, Jennifer, will you never learn? I feel not unlike I am wearing a plastic bag. :-( No breathe-ability, which is kind of essential for a spring/summer dress in Florida.
I tried some accessorizing options. Here it is with my Lesley Pullover. These two pieces are a great match, but it was a bit bulky to wear. This is making me really consider turning this into a skirt, though.
Here it is with a belt. Not bad, but this particular belt is way too small for me. Time to donate. I am also accessorizing with a lovely skein of yarn I am planning to make into a little shrug.
Finally, another skein of yarn. I have enough of this for a full blown cardi, but I am thinking of some type of sleeveless top to wear with this once it becomes a skirt, because I'm pretty sure that is happening.
My first thought was "Oh, the skirt is cute", but it's too wide and droopy at the top. I know you very well ;-) and I know you're not really as wide as it makes you look. And why are the armholes so tight and the neck gaping?! Come on, really - this is my huge beef with patterns - did they never test it on a real human? And you're much closer to their target size than I am. I think it will continue to bother you until you make it a skirt - not much you can do about the elastic, though making it a bit bigger might help it not to try to slide up so much. And while you're hacking it off, maybe replacing the pencil lining with a light cotton one would make it more comfy next to your skin.
ReplyDeleteAfter wearing it a lot yesterday for musical endeavors, the armholes were not a problem after all! I did keep pulling down on the elastic part, though. Maybe I could go with a bigger piece of elastic. Sounds like a lot of effort, though. Yep - a skirt it will be with a little chopping and top stitching. Good idea about the cotton lining! I know myself, though, and if I set it aside to do that, it will never get done! :-)
DeleteLove your color of your dress. I hope you recycle it into a skirt and get a lot of wear out of it. You look lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bonnie!
DeleteI rather like the dress on you. In a natural light-weight fabric, the blousiness of the bodice would be more drapey, and be a wonderful sundress. Yes, your proportions are different from the pattern cover, however. I think the fabric has something to do with the boxy look you are seeing.
ReplyDeleteBut the skirt is nice, so if you can't contend with the top on another make, go for the skirt!
Yeah, I am contemplating another version in a cotton voile or lawn, with a looser elastic band, but I'm not sure. Thanks!
DeleteI agree with Kathryn about making it into a skirt. The colors look great on you but if the top is uncomfortable you won't wear it as much. And making a cotton liner to go under it would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteIn the summer I try to wear only 100% cotton because here in Southern California is gets quite warm.
Yes, cotton is key for summer. I shouldn't have let my googly eyes for the print sway me. :-)
DeleteI think it is too wide at the high bust area at the front only. It seems to fit you well at the back and the armholes are an easy fix. I like it as a skirt too. Maybe the polyester should be a skirt... when it's hot, it's hard to wear polyester. I'd try again though cause I think the style is really lovely and I love the skirt underneath!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I do think a cotton version may be in order with some strap tweaks and a looser elastic band.
DeleteI would make it a skirt. Ithe will be cute with a crop top. The straps are not fixable, being too wide.you could always make them longer with more fabric,, then the armhole will be more comfy
ReplyDeleteGood point about the straps! Thank you!
DeleteI think it will make a nice skirt, too. If you don't want the elastic to ride up, loosen it a bit. That way, the dress is supported on the body at the shoulders and the elastic provides only shaping.
ReplyDeleteGood idea with loosening the elastic. I think I'll go with that for another cotton version (assuming I get around to it).
DeleteSKIRT this version! Especially considering the poly content and hot/humid summers. I don't know how you Florida folks do it.
ReplyDeleteSo I saw somewhere that before adding elastic, one does well to sort of best-guess where something will hit, and put the elastic at the narrowest part of you, not where the garment says the narrowest part of you should be... But not having seen how the construction of this works, I have no idea if that works here or not. If you make it again, maybe shortening the bodice and adjusting the shoulders/armholes??
Interesting about moving the elastic. This pattern does have a waist seam, so it would require shortening the bodice. No big deal for another version, but then it would be more of an empire waist look.
DeleteI love the skirt part! I don't know about making a sleeveless top to wear with it, though, since it's polyester and will likely need to be worn during cooler months! The skeins of yarn are lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe armholes are an easy fix. Depending on how the armholes are finished. If there is a one-piece facing that is flipped inside out after stitching along the armholes and bodice, you might need to cut out another facing (because the pattern wouldn't be deep enough to lower the armholes by 3/4 inch). While you're at it, you can cut the straps a little narrower on the outside edge, so they don't feel so broad shouldered. To keep the elastic from riding up, add more elastic. After kids, I too, am bigger above the waist than at the waist. Even a skirt will ride up to a smaller part of you, rather than staying down at your waist. Just make the waist bigger. That will take out some of the blousing at the waist, though. The pattern shows a fair amount of blousing, but you may not want that with the fabric you used.
ReplyDeleteOMG I want to soak her panties with my cum
ReplyDelete