Monday, August 31, 2015

Butterick 6051 - Maxi Dress


Butterick 6051 Maxi dress with red ponte skirt and stripe bodice
This is the project that almost didn't happen.  So many things happened along the way but finally it is finished.  I had this picture in my head, it was from one of  my Friday Fashion Inspirations. 
The first maxi dress, isn't it  wonderful?
I wend with one of the patterns I suggested, Butterick 6051 and this Mood Fabrics' red ponte for the skirt.  Initially, I ordered a red-white stripe for the top but the reds did not match.  The stripe become a Kristin Kimono Tee.   Reason #1 it didn't happen, fabric wrong, rethink plan.
Butterick 6051 Maxi dress with red ponte skirt and stripe bodice


I started shopping online for a good stripe knit and found two at Girl Charlee, a red/white stripe, which didn't match but worked to muslin the bodice and this black/white stripe which I thought would be perfect.

Reason #2 for this dress not happening - I didn't order enough ponte knit!  Fortunately, it was still in stock and I quickly reordered.  This was before the wedding and this maxi dress got pushed aside.
Butterick 6051 Maxi dress with red ponte skirt and stripe bodice
Believe me when I say, you want to muslin the bodice.  I made several changes.
1.  Raised the armholes, they are low, low and I probably could of raised them a bit more.
2.  So much extra fabric in the bodice.  I took out 2" from the bodice front.  There was just extra fabric hanging down over the waistband. Not a pretty sight.  The front is cut not on straight grain, that is why the stripes run like they do.
3.. The back neck edge is a bit big. I think folding out some width on the pattern would help.  I am hoping washing and drying will help.  If not, I am going to use Debbie's trick with elastic thread.
4.  The black/white fabric is thin so I lined it with a tricot knit.  Just treated the tricot and the stripe knit as one.
4.  Let's talk the tie - Keep or Remove?  What do you think?  I added it after the fact, as I didn't like the side view of red front waistband and stripe back but I think I dislike the tie more.  (See next picture for the side view)
I was getting very frustrated with all the changes in the bodice.  I thought with the muslin I had my changes correct but the muslin knit was much stiffer.  This black/white fabric is soft and drapes more, so I had to do a bit more sewing and unsewing.  Reason #3 for this dress not happening
Butterick 6051 Maxi dress with red ponte skirt and stripe bodice
I do have the elastic in the back waist as per the pattern, I might remove the ties and tighten the elastic.  Again, your thoughts?
I really am not liking the way the tie looks in this picture.
Butterick 6051 Maxi dress with red ponte skirt and Girl Charlee stripe bodice


I did add pockets to the side seams of this skirt, I really miss when I forget to add pockets.  This is such an easy step.

Butterick 6051 Maxi dress with Mood Fabrics' red ponte skirt and stripe bodice



Reason #4 for this dress not happening, after a week of working on a simple knit dress, I was about to just give up.  First the fabric, then the bodice, then more fitting, then the ties and sides.  Then I took a walk and decided this knit dress wasn't going to get the best of me!

Butterick 6051 Maxi dress with red ponte skirt and stripe bodice

I do think I need to do a bit of tweaking......the neckline fix and I have almost talked myself into removing the ties.

I am so happy this dress did happen, after seeing the pictures, the dress is growing on me.  It will be a nice dress to wear during the last few weeks of warm weather.



I took these pictures at 10 am, the light was quite different so I really did some effects in Picmonkey to get some decent color.

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18 comments:

  1. I love this! But I agree with you.....ditch the ties, and tighten up the back with some elastic. This looks like a dress you will reach for often!

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    1. Thanks, Patty, ties will be removed by this weekend! I do think it will be a go-to dress

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  2. Can you make just the ties out of the stripe? I think it will add to the dress. Good luck with whatever you decide!

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    1. I have no stripe left. Good idea and I will ponder that, there is more at Girl Charlee

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  3. This is a nice dress. It's worth a bit of tweaking. I would ditch the ties.

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    1. Thanks, Rose, it was worth the effort. The ties are history!

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  4. I would ditch the ties because it looks like they ride up in the back. I love the stripe with the red & the cut of the bodice in the front!

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    1. They do look funny in the back. I am quite fond of the two colors together, so happy I couldn't find the right red.

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  5. I would do away with the ties. Its frustrating when something that you think is going to be an easy sew isn't. It will definitely be a great layering piece to ease into fall a white blouse tied at the waist would look great or a jean jacket.

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    1. It is frustrating and with a knit unsewing isn't the most fun. You have to be so careful of the holes. Great idea of the white blouse, thanks.

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  6. Glad you persevered on this one. But, I agree, no ties. . .just not a good look in the back. I like the black/white red combo.

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    1. Thanks, it was a good dress to save! The votes are in, no ties. :)

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  7. Cute dress. Not a fan of ties at the back - too little girly. And usually uncomfortable when you sit back in a chair.

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    1. You are right, very girly. I am going to remove them this weekend.

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  8. Lovely maxi and would remove the ties.

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    1. Thanks, Sheila. Yes, the ties just are not a good look.

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  9. Remove the ties. I really don't care for them on any adult clothing--they're just too little-girl or something. Otherwise a lovely dress.

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    1. Thanks, Gail, you are so right.

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