Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Butterick 5388

Uh oh! 
The disaster pile.   6 unflattering unfinished objects on the trot.  6!  Some I can hopefully rescue, I just need to leave them be for the moment.   Do you reckon there's a sewing equivalent of the gardeners' 'black thumb'?   

Meanwhile I may just have to keep making versions of Butterick 5388.  I've found my holy grail of summer top patterns.   It's a super pattern.  It's easy.  It's very, very quick and IT'S FAIL SAFE.    
Although... there are many things that you can happily make over and over again - like classics.  But is this top one of them?  I suspect not.  I went and counted how many of this kind of style is in my wardrobe - 9!  Not all from this pattern but similar. 

So, here are 3 versions of Butterick 5388.  
Potters Outlet store had a 50% sale recently, including this silk habutae for a nicely cheap $7 metre.   It needs a simple style for anything this big-ly patterned, like...let me think.... ummmm.... Butterick 5388!
The fabric feels lovely on and it's comfy and cheerful.
I sewed a band on the bottom to make use of the border.
Here's version 2 - another silk habutae courtesy of the Potter's sale.  This one is black with a dot print.  I didn't have quite enough fabric for the collar so it is half the pattern width.  The collar is cut on the bias so uses up quite a bit of fabric.
And version 3.  No collar and in a snake print charmeuse from Textile Traders. 
I'm currently making another one in a wince inducing citrus yellow - will someone do a pattern intervention on me soon and prise this pattern out of my hands?   I can't stop!

7 comments:

  1. Ahh, that silk habutae is GORGEOUS! So jealous and prefect for that pattern, love it! :) I think it's the best feeling, when you use a special fabric and get the perfect sewing pattern for it. Good luck with those UFOs and finding a new favourite pattern xx

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  2. 6 unflattering garments?? I find it hard to believe you have those, based on all the lovely garments you post pictures of. It was a clever idea to use the bottom stripe on the fabric to create a nicer border on the top. I say when you have a winning pattern, stick with it.

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  3. I think making something you know is going to work is the perfect antidote to a string of wadders. This top looks quite different with and without the collar so you can justify a few of them! These ones look great, you pick some gorgeous fabrics.

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  4. If it works and you're not bored, I say stick with it! The yellow sounds wonderful.

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  5. I think its good to rework a pattern that you know works for you. I love all of these blouses and am more than a bit smitten by the border print fabric.
    I'm about to embark on a blouse binge - I need them for work and will be pulling out my TNT patterns.

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  6. IF there´s a sewing equivalent of the gardeners' 'black thumb', it´s certainly not you!!! And I think that if the pattern works and you really like it, do stick with it !

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  7. Your wardrobe must be looking great - so many lovely tops to choose from! I think your fabric choices being as varied as they are mean it's fine to keep sewing up the same pattern :-) and when you do find a basic like this that fits and suits many fabric styles, it IS the Holy Grail of sewing!

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