The first of the Vintage Pledge sewing projects I have planned is done! It’s Butterick 5748, a 1960s reprint, in a strawberry print cotton from my stash. I’m really pleased with it for the most part, and I think it’s the best dress I’ve sewn so far. It also goes really well with a bunch of my sweaters, including my green Hetty.
As I mentioned before, I own a version of this dress in a size 12 that my mom made in a blue floral print, but it’s gotten a little snug after the holidays. I decided to try making the size 14 to see if it would be a better fit. Right now the size 12 fits me with somewhere between zero and half an inch of ease if I had to guess, and it’s not uncomfortable to wear, but it’s also not my first choice if I’m planning to eat or drink a lot. The 14 has a lot more ease, and I think it might be too much. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad fit, but it’s roomier than I like, and I have a feeling that it will be way too big by the time summer rolls around. The neckline and shoulders also don’t stay in place or fit as well compared to the size 12. I suspect that my ideal size is somewhere in between a 12 and a 14 or perhaps a size 12 with the side seams let out.
I didn’t do any modifications to the bodice pieces, but I had to alter the skirt because I was working with only three yards of fabric. I took the skirt length up three inches which makes it hit just above my knees, and then I had to cut out the back of the skirt upside down. I had to stare pretty intensely at the fabric to figure out which direction the strawberry print was running, so I don’t think anyone is going to notice that the front and back aren’t the same. I also moved the zipper to the center back because I prefer back zips.
P.S. There’s one detail on the lining that I forgot to photograph but was really excited about. I used my rolled hem foot to hem the lining of the skirt. I bought the foot last summer hoping to use it like that, and although my technique is far from perfect, it worked! My hem on the lining only took me about 20 minutes, which is the quickest circle skirt hem I’ve ever done. I usually dread hemming circle skirt linings, and I’m so excited about having a better way to do them.
Leave a Reply