Most sewists in the Northern Hemisphere are turning their sewing thoughts towards fall. Not me. I’m still catching up on the summer sewing I had planned for this year. I made View C from Butterick 5950 last fall and have wanted to make View A ever since.

I used an ITY knit that I purchased a couple of years ago from Tissus Mode De L’Orme in Granby, QC while on vacation.

My fashion photographer caught me finding an uncut thread… And now that I see the picture I need to fix one of my seams which is 1/4″ off.

I lengthened the bodice by 1″ and added 1″ to the skirt as well. Someone pointed out that the dress does not sit at my natural waist. I never noticed this until then. I had pulled on the lining to get it nice and flat for the pictures and by doing this I lowered the waistline. Once I move around in the dress the waist gets back in place. This ITY knit is very stretchy.

The pattern calls for a zipper in the back but I omitted it. The dress is easy to get on and off without the zipper. I kept the back seam because it provides some shaping. I also added binding to the back neck and armscye. The pattern simply has you turn and stitch. I prefer to use binding.

I also lined the skirt with swimsuit lining. Below is a picture of me wearing my dress inside out. I only lined the skirt because I didn’t want to mess up the front drape by having the lining interfere with it. I cut out separate skirt pieces from the swimsuit lining and attached them to the skirt prior to sewing it to the top.

This is a simple knit dress with some great lines that create a flattering style.

This Butterick Lifestyle pattern never caught my attention until I saw a version of this dress online with an irregularly striped fabric. I had the perfect ITY knit in my stash. I didn’t get a chance to make the pattern earlier in the summer but I was determined to get it sewn before starting on my fall sewing.

The pattern is not lined but I usually line my dresses, especially in ITY knits. I used swimsuit lining in this case. I cut out the front and back pattern pieces and sewed the side seams before basting the lining to the top of the dress. Next I attached the bands and continued per the instructions. The neckline is sort of a v-shaped bateau neckline.

Sometimes there’s just not a lot to say about a project; I was inspired, I sewed it without incident and I’m happy with the result.

I’m grateful for the sewing inspiration available online. I’ve said it before, discovering the online sewing community was a game changer for me. Sewing can be a lonely hobby but having ways to connect with fellow sewists is motivating. I recently discovered that one of my neighbors also sews. She found me on Pattern Review.com and reached out to me. It’s fun knowing that someone else in the neighborhood is also rocking the sewing machine.

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I’m still counting on some warm weather here on the Central Coast of California so my summer sewing continues in earnest. I made New Look 6071 with sleeves a few years ago and have always wanted to make a sleeveless version.

I bought this ITY knit at Tissue Mode De L’Orme in Granby, QC last summer while on vacation. I purposely shopped for knits that I could use to make simple summer dresses. I’ve decided that these dresses are just right for the hot humid weather we experience when travelling as well as the cooler weather we have on the Central Coast. I can add a lightweight jacket and I’m good to go.

I didn’t make any changes to the pattern and sewed my usual size 8. This was a quick sew with good results.

I think this style of dress is flattering and easy to wear. This pattern is definitely worth hanging on to.

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I’m behind on my blogging. It seems that “stuff” keeps getting in the way of my fashion photographer and I taking the time for a photo session. I’m finally here with McCall’s 6696. This pattern was included in the Best Patterns of 2015 AND 2017 on Pattern Review.com. I’m a little late to the party on this one but this is definitely a case of better late than never.

I bought this cotton eyelet at Fabrix in San Francisco with McCall’s 6696 in mind. The pattern included a slip which I chose to make. I made the collar slightly narrower. I removed about 3/8″ from the points tapering to nothing at the center back. I did not have to lengthen the bodice which is something I normally have to do. I added one button at the bottom of the dress to prevent the slip from peeking out. I also omitted the pockets because I didn’t want them showing through the eyelet.

I love a shirt dress! This pattern lived up to its reputation. I have some fabric purchased in Copenhagen lined up for another one.

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There have been some great versions of this top made by sewists out there. Some have even turned the pattern into a dress. I’ve admired them from a distance until my friend Jennifer made a cute top with with this pattern a month ago. Fortunately Jo-Ann’s had Vogue patterns on sale that week.

I made View A with an Italian cotton voile that I purchased from Britex a few years ago.

I made View B with a polyester print from Hancock’s that I had purchased for another project that never got sewn. The pattern calls for purchased bias tape but I made my own. I thought the purchased tape might be too stiff for these two fabrics.

I haven’t seen the last of this pattern. These tops are quick to sew and are perfect for summer.

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When a pattern has served you as well as this out of print DKNY Vogue pattern it deserves to be called “friend.” I’ve made this pattern over 20 times in the past 21 years and have never been disappointed.

This time I made view C without the front fish eye darts. I didn’t want to break up the print of this scuba knit. I made this dress once before without the front and back darts and liked the look of it.

For this dress I sewed the back darts. The scuba knit looked better with a little shaping. I added 1 inch to the length.  This is the first time I use a knit for this pattern. The dress is fully lined with swimsuit lining. I often use this when lining knit dresses.

Below is the version I made 3 years ago without the front and back fish eye darts. It turns the dress from a sheath to a shift. I shortened the pattern by 3 inches and added a 4 inch band.

I’m sorry that I don’t have any pictures of most of the dresses I’ve sewn with this pattern. Below are a few pictures of some cotton versions I’ve made.

I modified the neckline on the floral dress below. For the polka dot pique dress pictured below, I cut the pattern in two and added a contrasting band. Fellow sewing blogger Goodbye Valentino recently posted a gorgeous version of View B from this pattern on her blog. The front trim Sarah added is a great detail and beautifully executed.

This pattern sometimes comes up for sale online. If you like this style of dress I highly recommend tracking down the pattern. You will not be disappointed.

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I had this eyelet in my stash waiting for a fun summer top pattern to come along. Butterick 6562 caught my attention because it offered some interesting options. The top is described as being fitted. I didn’t think it looked fitted on the pattern envelope but I was pleased to find out that it was.

The shaped hemline is another detail that attracted me to this pattern. I lengthened the top by 1″ which is a common adjustment for me to make.

I repositioned the buttons because there was going to be gaping at my bust between two buttons. I also wanted to add a button right below the band. Without it I was fearful that the band would sag at the middle front. I have a ready-to-wear top that has a button right under a band like this and I’ve always liked the way it looks.

This was a fun top to sew and I’m glad I’ve added this top to my summer wardrobe. Now if it would only warm up on the Central Coast of California so I can wear it.

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