Another "Perfect Dress": McCalls 5753 Sleeveless Silk Sheath

I made another M5753, this time sleeveless, and in a (stiffish) silk from Paron's in NYC.  It was $14/yard, but the pattern requires only 1 1/4 yards of fabric, so this dress cost less than $20.

I learned how to do a blindhem stitch on the machine, using this tutorial on youtube.  It may take a few more attempts to perfect this skill, but it wasn't hard once the light went off about how the fabric was to be folded.

Here is a close-up of the fabric, which I adore, though it tends to hold a wrinkle:

I am so obessed with sheath dresses for work.  Seriously, they could be the only thing I sew.  

Are you tired of this pattern yet?  I don't have any immediate versions planned, though I'm sure I will sew a few more of these in the future. 

Finished!: Butterick 5285 skirt

Despite taking over a foot of width off the front and back of this skirt, it's still rather crazy poufy.  This cotton sateen drapes like cotton duck!  I've learned a valuable lesson: fabric matters.  Yes, it has taken me this long to grasp that.  I don't think one has to slavishly follow the pattern's suggestions, but I do need to think carefully about drape before embarking on a project. 

Really, it's not that bad, but I just don't know where I'd wear this.  It's too wide for work, but too prim for casual-wear. 

 

I have since swept under the sofa - yeesh!

The back is still extreme.  The thickness of the cotton makes it very stiff:

I tried topping the skirt with a cardi (short and long) and it just doesn't seem to work.  My kind husband texted me today that he saw a girl wearing a similar wide skirt...  I dunno, I'll keep it in the closet for awhile... I will let you know if I do wear it!

To end on the positive side, the top I'm wearing with the skirt - Simplicity 2599 - has turned out to be a favorite.  I wear it constantly!  When I spot it in the closet I don't think "I made this" but instead: "Ooo yay, this top!  I should wear this today!"  It's definitely a pattern worth trying if you need a fun shell for work (or casual-wear: check out the version MushyWear just posted).

Full Skirt Obsessing

I thought the Butterick 5285 gathered skirt was a total lost cause, but thanks entirely to your kind words and encouragements, I ripped the whole thing apart and took more width off the sides (twice), and put it back together (twice). 

Butterick 5285, view A

I think it turned out fine.  Unquestionably, I made the wrong fabric choice.  It still has crazy poufiness in the back.  But you all seemed to like the craziness, so I'm going to wear it; if I'm laughed at, it's your fault!  I need to finish the closure and hand-hem it - I promise pics by the end of the week.

* * *

Despite Butterick 5285's lackluster end result, I'm obsessing over full skirts for fall.  I'm excited at the thought of sewing up wide, blousy skirts to replace my pencil skirts, which seem yawn to me right now.  I can't stop thinking of Tasia and Ali's versions, using McCall's 5803, so I ordered the OOP Hilary Duff pattern from Ebay.

So I'll have a gathered or pleated full skirt pattern, but I want more!

You noted that the lovely Louis Vuitton below is a circle skirt (not gathered, doh!):

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 RTW, style.com

But what about this Oscar de la Renta number?  I think it's a bias skirt?:

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2009 RTW, style.com

As is this Louis Vuitton dress?  (Seriously, is this not the perfect outfit: the dress, the cardi, the colors, the shoes?  Heaven):

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 RTW, style.com

Is it a dress with a bias cut skirt?

My goal  is to make versions of these skirts for fall.  I may try my hand at making my own circle skirt pattern, though I do adore this vintage pattern.  Do you have a bias cut skirt pattern recommendation?  Any other full skirt types I haven't thought of?