Plus Size Style and Fashion Blog
So hey guys! Happy Valentines Day for yesterday! I hope you all had a lovely day regardless of what you were doing or who you spent it with. Personally I went to work and then came home to watch QI before getting an early night. The joys of having a partner that works nights! But it’s not so bad, we celebrated our 2nd anniversary earlier in the week together which is much more important. And we also took some photos of my latest plus size vintage sewing project, too!
I’m British, and part of being a Brit is constantly being let down – especially being let down by what is supposed to be Summer.
Case in point;
Yeah.
This face is an accurate representation of a dreary day.
Anyhoo.
I MADE A THING.
I bought Butterick B5209 pattern a long-ass time ago with the idea that one day I would make a glorious 40’s style sundress with it and swan about the beaches being a perfect summers-day princess. Instead I used it to further my long-term goals on becoming a picnic basket with this cutesy gingham-and-fruit-print cotton. And stand in a park on a grey day.
As usual, I never make anything in the way the original pattern intends. I swapped out the gathered skirt the pattern calls for with the same skirt from my Swirl dress, since I liked the way it fell on me so much.
Straying from my usual construction, I didn’t line this dress at all. I finished the seams with my overlocker, and the neckline, hem and arms with bias tape and a catch stitch.
The dress is wonderful but there was some fit issues along the way with this pattern.
I made the dress up in a size 20, straight from the pattern with little adjustment. As with all patterns, I did my usual pinch-out in the top of the bodice to limit my usual gape. Apart from this disaster of a bust!
It seems to be a common issue in 40s style dresses with this sort of bustline – that it sits at least two inches higher than where my boobs actually start. It’s not the worst thing that could happen, but does make me feel a bit cut off at times.
Aside from all of this, I actually love this dress, I think the silhouette is really good on me, and I love how comfortable and floaty it is – and I think this new calf-length skirt I’ve been playing with is a good-un.
Dress; Butterick B5209