needle with a tiger – A pinstripe!
What do you get when you cross a bodice pattern block, a Sewaholic Hollyburn skirt and a vintage Butterick pattern? Let me show you!
In the ’80s I remember having a red polyester knit dress – similar to the one here without a collar. I loved it!
I decided to make another one for myself using this Butterick pattern and this knit fabric. I’m not sure what its content is – I just found it in my stash. I love the print. Is this paisley or floral – or paisley floral? or floral paisley?
Unfortunately, even though I played with the pattern layout, I just couldn’t squeeze my Butterick pattern pieces onto my fabric. 🙁
So I compromised and used my Sewaholic Hollyburn skirt pattern for the bottom of my dress – it’s not as full – and I used my bodice pattern block for the top. I did use the original sleeves from my Butterick pattern.
The two bodice pieces are similar, except the one from the Butterick pattern has facings for a button closure in the back – not needed for my knit fabric. I am also not going to use the darts of my bodice pattern block.
Afterwards, when the bodice was sewn together and I tried it on, I realized that I needed to cut the neck opening bigger, by an inch, to make it more comfortable.
Since this was a knit fabric, I wanted the hems to be stable and not stretch, so I ironed and sewed on a strip of interfacing along the sleeve hemline.
Turned it up and sewed it down.
I chose to use a contrasting orange thread to bring out some of the orange in the fabric print.
Digging around in my stash I found a remnant of an orange 100% polyester fabric. I found some matching thread too.
Enough to make a contrasting hem at the bottom of my skirt, which I topstitched down with my matching thread.
I also had enough to make a fabric tie belt for my dress. I used a strip of interfacing inside to give it some stiffness and used a 1/4″ seam foot to make straight even rows of stitching on my belt.
Not bad. Now time for some pressing.
So what do you think – What do you get when you cross a bodice pattern block, a Sewaholic Hollyburn skirt and a vintage Butterick pattern? A lovely, comfortable dress, I hope!
I tried taking photos on the deck but there was too much sun! This is the deck chair that my husband, Mr. Green Thumb, thinks I should “just relax” in.
This is me suddenly realizing that my sleeves are set almost an inch too low on my shoulders. I forgot my bodice pattern block has not been fitted for sleeves! Oh well, an easy fix! Get out that seam ripper!
Have you ever had to cut corners to squeeze your pattern pieces out of a length of fabric?
Happy Sewing!
Great fabric and what an ingenious way to solve your fabric crisis! I’ve had similar issues before because I tend to buy less fabric than I need, always believing I can squeeze the pieces out of less. Not always the case, of course! Your dress is gorgeous and it looks comfy and cool.
Thank you! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t!
As usual you picked the coolest fabric I’ve ever seen! 🙂 Love the Floral Paisley/Paisley Floral/”Florsley” print… 😉
Thank you! I love my “Florsley”!
Well done on your pattern hack, your dress looks great and that fabric is lovely!
Thank you! I think this is the first time I have gone totally off pattern!
Very creative solution Linda. I agree with Mr Green Thumb–you should be relaxing on the deck chair enjoying the sun, perhaps with a rum cocktail. Well, no not rum, that would start us on a pirate motif *hardy har har har*
Thanks! You are a funny girl! I can just picture that – not something I want on the internet though!
I remember that red dress! I loved it too. This dress looks so pretty. I like the contrasting hem and belt. Funny how in some light it looks orange, and in a darker light it looks salmon. You are ready for spring and summer. I’m still wearing black!
You know I don’t have much black. Just the odd staple!
I always seem to be finding ways to squeeze out a pattern from not quite enough fabric. I am tall so I need to lengthen dresses a lot. Love the dress. Cheers, Michele
We all end up learning tricks! Thanks for reading and commenting!
What a great fix using the orange on the hem and belt! The fabric is so feminine…I love it!
Thank you! I found the fabric a bit stretchy to hem, so adding on the interfacing strip at the sleeves and the border at the hem straightened out that problem.
The fabric is beautiful! what a great idea to track down and old favourite. Now you got me thinking!
Thank you! There is always another idea to add to the “sewing to do” list!
lovely dress. that contrasting trim really defines it. gorgeous
Thank you!
Cutting corners to squeeze in pattern pieces seems to be the story of my life! Your dress is just gorgeous and those shoes….lovely.
Thank you! I quite often buy the fabric because I like it and then later end up trying to squeeze something out of it!