My December Garment of the Month - Butterick 5917

Here is my version of the Very Popular Butterick 5917 which I made up as my December Garment of the Month.  I'm sure a lot of you are already know this dress pattern, but if not, here is the pattern envelope:

I decided to make the dress out of midnight navy seersucker cotton, which I purchased at Spotlight for $8.99 a metre.  The bodice is lined and I used a scrap of black voile that was in my leftovers stash.  I did apply interfacing along the neck edges of the self lining, although the pattern did not stipulate this- I thought it would help to stabilize the bias edge of the front neck especially.

I did make a muslin of this dress - if you are interested in fitting, please read these two posts which you will find  here .

This is the front of my finished dress:

The side view (and for once I am using the trick used by actresses - that sort of half way sideways frontways pose  - it always looks good, so it you are a bit photo shy - try it :).  It's a pose that makes everyone look good.

The back - it is years since I have inserted an invisible zip - I had forgotten how easy they were to do.  I often do lap zips, which take a little more effort:

And that is it. The dress is a great success.  I made it in seersucker because that way I can wear it as a day dress or as an evening sort of dress.  I don't really have much occasion for cocktail type dresses, and I also have a personality that is a little more seersucker than satin.

I will wish you all a happy new year now, and thank you all for having the patience to read my blog this year.  It's been lovely to get to know you all:

And thank you to DH who was around to help with the taking of these photos.

Happy New Sewing Year everyone, and I look forward to enjoying your company during 2014.

Sarah Liz :)