Butterick 5813 was not to be…..

My first item for the Fall Essentials Sew-Along 2013 is in the Chic Chemises for Cool Climates category

This is a Deer and Doe pattern – the Airelle blouse using fabric I bought from the Rose and Brown vintage fair in Saltaire for £3. It is definitely an “at home” piece of clothing given the 1970’s curtain effect. It’s really cosy though, I have no idea what the fabric is, but it’s a bit like flannel.

There was a bit of a saga with Butterick 5813  a Gertie  dress pattern.  Unfortunately it ended up in the bin. Lets just say I learnt  a lot of lessons!

1. Don’t use a double knit jersey, this pattern should be made with a woven fabric

2. Make a muslin or toile 

3. I need to learn to fit patterns better rather than the “bodge it” method I use. 

I ended up with too much fabric above the long darts at the back, and thought I had corrected it, by taking some fabric out of the shoulder, but that  still left me with too much fabric around the back of the neck, I took the collar off thinking I could remake a V neck, but it didn’t look right and I had unpicked and rejoined the collar and sleeves at least twice before that. I just decided it was time to call it a day, which was a bit sickening after sewing the huge number of darts etc.  Maybe I will make it again in the future, but it will have to be at least two or three years away!

I have been loads more successful using the gorgeous double knit from Calico Laine with the Vogue pattern though so watch this space!