Puerto Rico Wardrobe, Butterick 5211 and 5225 (Part 8)

I finished this dress last night. It was fairly easy to sew but nowhere near the 2 hours claimed by Butterick. I've said my piece on this topic already. But let me assure you, the Fashion Express line is consistent, with instructions on this one as dumbed down as the last pattern. Of course, I made modifications that added time, such as a rayon challis lining to prevent show-through. But there's no way you can sew this up in 2 hours with all the pressing of drawstrings and casings involved.

In addition, I had to go back and re-sew the side seams. There is an incredible amount of ease in this pattern. While I usually at least consider the measurements printed on the pattern, I didn't for whatever reason this time. So I cut out a 14 based on my measurements and thentook out an additional 2 1/2"! This puts the size somewhere between a 10 and a 12. I could have cut out a straight size 10 (or even smaller) and it still would have been fine. This pattern recently went OOP, but really Butterick, what were you thinking?

Another change I made to the pattern was to eliminate the whole waist drawstring thing. I know how I am, and having a string tied around my waist would make me nuts. I'd always be playing with it, adjusting and re-tying again and again. So I inserted elastic instead and sewed a fake drawstring at center front. Simpler, faster, easier!

I also made a real hem instead of the 5/8" narrow hem specified. I had enough fabric since I'm shorter than BMV's fit model so it was easy enough to do.

Would I make this again? Possibly, but I'll consider making an 8. If I can work it out, it would be a fast little summer dress to have in my repertoire.

I also finished topstitching on Butterick 5211, so it's also complete. I used 2 strands of Coats and Clark poly embroidery thread through the needle and increased the stitch length, so that it would resemble the decorative embroidery that the fabric came with. I would have used Sulky, but the CC was a better color match.

Now that the 2 dresses are finished, the Puerto Rico wardrobe is complete in time for tomorrow's departure. Here are the rest, the tops and the cropped pants:

Arggh, what a goofy set of pictures. I was in a hurry this morning, so didn't really get it together as I should have. Oh well.

Anyway,  5 garments this month, which amazes me! True, they're simple pieces but I can't remember when I've been this prolific in such a short period. And no, I didn't spend all my time in the sewing cave.