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Butterick: 5559 thumbsup - Type:Dresses    printable version
Viewed 621 times 31 more reviews
Review rated Very Helpful by 11 people   
Reviewed by:Jessamaka
photo
About Jessamakastar
QC CANADA
Member since: 7/14/10
Reviews written: 16
Sewing skills:Intermediate
Favored by: 5 people
patterns reviewed: 16
Bio: more...
Report a problem with this review
Posted on:1/5/13 1:31 PM
Last Updated:1/6/13 1:45 PM
Project Photo:photo
Pattern Photo:Butterick 5559
Butterick Pattern Info
Pattern Rating:Highly Recommend
See other patterns in this category: Dresses    
Available for sale on PR: $14.96 (See envelope)
Current Tags What is a Tag:
Fabric:Ponte Knit  [See other projects in this fabric]
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Pattern Description:
Close-fitting, above mid-knee, pullover dresses A, B have front and back darts and outside stitched tucks. A: above elbow length sleeves.

Pattern Sizing:
I cut a 14 but then took the sides in so a 12 would have been better.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes very much so.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes but you need to be creative about marking because it doesn't tell you how.
I first copied the patten pieces onto tracing paper. I taped them to my dinning room patio door for transparency and copied all the darts and tucks.
Using pins to hold the paper on the cut out fabric pieces I cutoff the bottom off the pattern following the lowest tuck line. With contrasting tread I traced the edge. Then I cut the paper to the next tuck or dart and tread traced again until all the darts and tucks were traced. Note that I Traced the darts on the back and the tucks on the front.
My machine has a straight stretch stitch which I used for the tucks and darts so that I wouldn't have to stretch the fabric as I was sewing.
After basting the front and back together I realized that it was too big. So instead of taking in the sides and then fitting the sleeve to the armhole I sewed the front and back together at the shoulder and then sewed the sleeve on flat. Then I only had to make one seam front the sleeve edge to the skirt hem. I ended up taking in more volume at the armpit as there was too much fabric there.
I made an effort to match the tucks on the sides but in the end gave up and decided it was "good enough".
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the tucks, they add interest to an otherwise plane sheath dress. I do not like the neckline. I need to wear a strapless bra with this dress. I know this is supposed to be a bateau neckline but this is a little extreme. I even feel that the back neck could be raised a smidgen.
Fabric Used:
Mauve Ponte de Roma
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None, the length is as printed.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I wouldn't sew it again as it was very time consuming all the transferring, thread tracing and tuck sewing. But I definitely recommend it to anyone else to make at least one. I'm glad I took the time to learn those skills and it is lovely when finished.
Conclusion:
The really wide neck line is the reason I probably won't wear this much, It requires a strapless bra or a sweater and that would hide all the work.

Edited to add final pictures
Front
Back
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17 Comments      Login to Add a Comment
Lisa p said...
From what I can see it is a beautiful dress . ( your picture isn't clickable so you can only see the thumbnail ) I love the way you thread traced the tucks. I will remember that one.
1/5/13 3:47 PM
Lisa p said...
Double posted .
1/5/13 3:47 PM
guineveresmom said...
Wow. I love the effect of the tucks with the fabric you chose.
1/5/13 3:53 PM
CynthiaSue said...
You did a wonderful job with this dress. I can appreciate the difficulty of the tucks and how they can look ugly if you don't slow them slowly. Yours looks perfect.
1/5/13 9:52 PM
BlossomKyle said...
your dress looks great! i put bra strap holders in mine to keep the bra straps from showing. i just used some grograin ribbon and snaps.
1/5/13 10:02 PM
SewWil said...
Great job on the tucks. Your dress is very pretty.
1/6/13 1:43 AM
pdiddly said...
I agree what I can see it looks lovely
1/6/13 2:54 AM
Jessamaka said...
Thanks for the heads up- I changed the link for the final picture..
1/6/13 1:46 PM
Lucy in Virginia said...
Lovely job and dress!
1/6/13 2:39 PM
2 Airedales n Me said...
Your dress is VERY pretty! I love the style and color. Where did you get the fabric? It's "my color"!! Nice job and great review.
1/6/13 4:36 PM
norie creates said...
your dress is beautiful! This is still one of my favorite patterns!
1/6/13 6:57 PM
GoodbyeValntino said...
Very pretty - you should be proud!
1/6/13 8:35 PM
velosewer said...
Stunning dress. I've love to wear your version because it's so well made.
1/7/13 5:44 PM
waltzqueen said...
The dress is gorgeous and the tucks better than any store-bought could be. Congratulations. Could you cut small pieces of the leftover fabric and sew them at the ends of the neckline on each side to enable you to wear a regular bra? I have seen that kind of addition on ready to wear tops.
1/8/13 0:12 AM
1SewSweet said...
Beautiful dress and I love your version. The fabric color is awesome! I made this dress a while back and agree with you about the neckline. It's much too wide. Plus I don't particularly like bateau necklines anyway and for some reasons, the fashion industry LOVES them. Great job!
1/8/13 5:31 AM
Jstarr4250 said...
Thanks for sharing your method on the tucks. I've loved this pattern since I first saw it. One of these days l'll get around to making it and I'll refer back to your review.
1/8/13 6:38 AM
brissie71 said...
Beautiful dress and detailed review! Thanks!
1/12/13 3:58 AM
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