Butterick 6217 - Gertie Blouse

#Butterick6217 - This was such a great pattern, quick to sew up and the fit turned out great, and is very flattering. I am planning to make both of the other versions. Seriously, I can't rave enough about this pattern. Go buy it now! You won't regret it!

For this one, I chose this red and white Swiss dot heavier weight quilting cotton I purchased at Wal-Mart for about $3/yd.

I was hesitant about the tie across the front. I wasn't sure how it was going to lay or look, but once I got it put together and onto Millie I was in love! It's such a fabulous detail!

The petal sleeves are a dream and as a sewist with large upper arms, I often have trouble fitting my upper arms into sleeves. I tend to sew a lot of sleeveless shirts because of this. This type of sleeve makes that problem non-existent.  My arms fit beautifully and I don't get that claustrophobic panic attack feeling when trying to take it off and it gets stuck... Someone please tell me I'm not the only one that does this??

I serged all of my seams and finished the facing with lovely red bias trim. My serger threads seem to be a little on the loose side on that outer edge... not sure what is going on there. I'll have to work on that. 

This is definitely a favorite top. It goes great with skirts and pants. I feel sassy and awesome when I wear it!

The fit is great from the back. This is a heavier weight cotton and it hugs my curves nicely.

The petal sleeves are awesome, fits the arms nicely and shows off the tattoos!! I need more sleeves like this in my life.

All in all, this was a fantastic make. I sewed this up in a day. Totaling about 5-6 hours worth of work. I bought the pattern on sale at Jo-Ann's during one of their Butterick 3 for $5 sales. The fabric cost me about $6 for two yards. What a crazy deal!! The total cost of this top, $7.70!! Those are the moments, that really make sewing my own clothes totally worth it! 

This is #vintagepledge make number 11!!

Until next time!

New Look 6184 and Simplicity 2478

Last month, I decided to participate in Handmade by Heather B's Sundress Sew-A-Long as a way to finish out the Summer. Then, I started school for the first time in 15 years and my first two weeks have gone a bit crazy, so this is a day later then I had planned it. Everything is running a bit behind right now... 

I decided to make New Look 6184, view C. Not exactly a sundress, but I think it works. After completing the dress, I decided to add on a modified Simplicity 2478, also view C, I think. Neither patterns are vintage, but I think the final product definitely has that vintage feel!

I found this Waverly navy blue Swiss dot, cherry quilting cotton at Wal-Mart of all places and got it for $3.98 a yard!! BARGAIN!!! I've been terrible lately about taking pictures while I'm actually working on a garment... so no progress pictures with this one. Sorry, I'll try to do better next time!

I sewed a side-lapped zipper into the back of this dress. I'm getting better at zippers, and honestly, side-lapped is the way to go!

Here's my Instagram snap of the finished ensemble! If you aren't following me on Instagram, join the fun! I post there more frequently when I'm working on a project.

On to the final project photos!!

This little dress and bolero were such a huge hit when I wore them the first time. My coworkers totally approved and I'm looking forward to wearing it to school... that's why I made it in the first place.

The bolero has a really nice pleating detail on the sleeve. I hacked the pattern just a bit and omitted the band that forms the front facing and used bias binding instead. I used the same bias throughout the dress. It forms the arm hole facing and the hem.

I've styled it with a great Red satin bow cinch belt and a pretty red orchid in my hair.

I feel like I look like a matador in this picture... weird.

The dress pattern doesn't have pockets but I love pockets, so I added some to the side seams! A girl needs pockets!!

Without the bolero, it looks adorable, I love the pleated detail at the neckline, but the facing in the front keeps want to roll out. I don't know if you can see it in this picture or not. I under-stitched the whole facing, but it's still doing it. I think I'm going to have to top stitch it to keep it down.

The fit overall is great. I really didn't have to make any adjustments to the pattern. I sewed a size 14 and I'm pleased with the way it fits.

Even without a petticoat it hangs beautifully. It's a gored skirt, not quite a full circle, but it still has a good fullness.

Showing off the good looking interiors. (WOW... Wrinkles, oops) I love when something looks as pretty inside as it does outside.

A little cherry red binding on the bolero, really helps it to pop when worn over the dress.

Well there you go. This is definitely a winner in my book. I'll be making this dress again. I'm adding this to my #vintagepledge makes, not really sure which number it is at this point... I think I'm at #10!!

Until next time!