Saturday, October 03, 2009

A Brown Linen Shirtwaist: Butterick 5315

I made this sweet modern pattern up in a very nice tobacco-colored linen. The pattern had a lined back yoke, which was a nice touch, and a pretend pleat down the back, which was a little cheesy. A *vintage* pattern would have had a real pleat, for an "action back" or some other cleverly-named feature. Regardless, it came out nicely and is very comfortable.


The buttons you see are not functional. Because A) I only had three of them and B) they are huge and buttonholes that size seemed like a bad idea in my floppy, not interfaced linen. So instead I used snaps to close the bodice front.


I like this one a lot and will probably make it up for my big girls.

28 comments:

  1. I hardly know what to say first. Well, it's really a cute dress and a cute design. And, you whiz through so many things, you put me to shame! (Nice buttons!)

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  2. Gorgeous. Perfect for your coloring!

    Buttercup

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  3. I just bought this pattern a couple weeks ago when they were $.99 at Joann. It's nice to read your opinion and seen a finished dress. Thanks.

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  4. Such a beautiful dress. I wish you would put them in your shop. Time willing though

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  5. That is really cute! Was it easy to sew?

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  6. Hi Anna.
    I bought that same pattern last summer. Can you tell me how long it took you to make it?
    Your dress came out beautiful!
    Happy sewing!
    Irene

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  7. How talented you are! What fun! I don't have a clue about sewing but I enjoy reading about all the little adjustments you make and all the attention to the minutest detail!
    Wishing you a lovely Sunday,
    Annamaria

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  8. I have this pattern too, and I am hoping to make it up this week- in that EXACT same color linen!
    How nice to see the finished project- I can stop wondering if it will look good or not!

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  9. that is such a pretty frock! :)

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  10. I love seeing your finished sewing projects, especially the dresses. I makes me want to wear dresses and skirts. I too wish you could put them in the shop but there isn't enough time for everything.

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  11. What a lovely dress! I think yours is much nicer than the pattern envelope. I would never have given this one a second look but your dress has inspired me to put this pattern on my "to make" list.

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  12. Oh that is beautiful! I have a very similar style Laura Ashley dress in the attic, about 30 years old! But I was MUCH slimmer then. Perhaps I should make myself another one in a larger size!
    Glad to hear I am not the only one who uses 'mock' buttons, and snaps.

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  13. O how adorable!! I almost bought this pattern the other day but then I stopped myself due to the fact that I had never seen a finished picture of it. I am DEFINITELY going to get one and make one now!!

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  14. What do you mean by a pretend pleat on the back? Can you show a picture, or compare/contrast real pleats with fake pleats?

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  15. Krista, instead of just folding the fabric into a pleat in the center back, instead you actually stitch straight down the back leaving a "flange" of fabric sticking out. This you flatten down its center and press to make it look like a box pleat (think men's oxford shirt) from the back. But instead of being a blousing pleat, the inside of the dress reveals that the fabric is actually sewn closed. Making sense?

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  16. What a beauty! I think this is such a sweet style...you will look fabulous in it. Again, I think you rock...if only I could be half as talented as you dear friend.

    thanks for inspiring me ;-)

    Kimmie
    mama to 7
    one homemade and 6 adopted

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  17. How interesting! My 13 year old Dd had just bought that pattern, and she thought that the look was vintage also! She's eager to get her dress made now that she has seen yours.

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  18. Very lovely! I have had both the pattern and fabric to make this dress for awhile now. It is nice to see what it looks like made up.
    I'll have to get sewing on mine now

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  19. You are an endless source of inspiration! I bought some dress-weight corduroy after seeing your corduroy dress and, at the same time, bought this pattern.

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  20. I'm in love with this dress and was so sad that you didn't put it in your shop. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It is perfect!

    Love your blog,

    Melanie

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  21. I have that pattern too, and have made it once. Unfortunately, I didn't put a button right at the bust point, so I need to make sure I have a pretty bra on... I made it with a half-circle skirt and it worked very well. Will definitely make it again.
    /Monika

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  22. I like that collar and the color and the linen.

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  23. LOVE IT! Just charming! Saw some vintage patterns at a thrift shop and thought of you & your blog! :)

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  24. I let a friend of mine borrow this pattern from me a while back, now I have it back from her and I am happily sewing my dress from this same pattern! I will be posting pictures on my blog when I have it finished probably sometime next week! thank you so much for your inspiring work! I love your dress as well!

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  25. I am in the midst of sewing this for my sister. Everyone on the Net says this is easy, but I cannot figure out the self-facing/placket entirely (and am feeling stupid). I thought I had it right, basted it, but then after putting in the collar it is supposed to be turned inside...and it's already basted in place. I had to make up my own solution and hand sew it in place. It looks like you did away with that detail altogether. Luckily the fabric (50% wool/50% linen in caramel) is beautiful and forgiving!

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  26. I am making the same dress and having the same headache with the front 'self facing'. I folded on the 'outside fold' which I assume is the one closest to the side seam and then back on the other fold to make a sweet little placket that sits on the outside. But when I go to attach the collar a) there isn't enough fabric around the neckline and b) as the previous post said, you can't turn the self facing into the inside. I think I will just have a go and making it look like yours....cos yours is sweet-as.

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