Garments

Dress Up Party – Pattern Review – Butterick 6168

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This post is part of Dress Up Party. For contest rules, full details, and schedule, please click here!
Today’s post is from Teresa of Crinkle Dreams.

I’ve long been a fan of Liesl Gibson’s designs (Oliver+S, Straight Stitch Society and Lisette), so when I heard she was partnering up with Butterick to release more Lisette patterns, I was all over that one. Yes, please, where do I sign up?

20150319-145751-53871876.jpgLuckily for me I stumbled onto them back at Sew Expo this spring and bought the Butterick 6168 right away. I made it up using Sara’s new Fantasia voile, which was gorgeous, but I messed up the front somehow and was left with quite the plunging neckline (photos aren’t quite NSFW!).

So instead of fixing it, I just made another because that’s how I roll.

This version is made with Robert Kaufman’s Essex Linen in Plum and it’s just lovely fabric to work with, of course. I adore that the pattern was totally wearable in both the featherweight voile and the heavier linen, both hanging beautifully and super comfortable.

My favorite feature of the pattern is the bodice. It’s super comfortable without fussing with darts and that narrow strip across is a great little design detail.

I made a couple of changes to the pattern because I can never leave a pattern alone, it seems. I hate zippers up the back (they are a single girl’s frustration), so I moved it to the right side which makes the pull easier to reach and less intrusive in the design. I used a 9″ deep brown zipper, which worked out just fine.

I also added darts to the neckline to take in extra fabric left when I placed the fabric on the fold rather than keeping the back seam. The pattern curves slightly along the back, so I had to make up for that and my slightly rounded shoulders by including the 1/4″ darts.

I really like the back, too! I brought in the back darts an extra inch on each, lengthening them as well, to fit my back waist, but made no changes to the back skirt because of the forgiving gathers. Super easy alterations! You can also use the optional ties to pull it in if you also have a narrow waist.

I’ll be adding pockets and using chambray for the next iteration of this dress. It’s just so comfortable and flattering, plus easy alterations make this my new go-to pattern.

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9 thoughts on “Dress Up Party – Pattern Review – Butterick 6168

  1. Nathalie says:

    beautiful dress! I love that colour

  2. Donna says:

    I like the detailing in the front – lovely.

  3. Brittany says:

    I also bought this pattern and can’t wait to work on it. My latest problem with my handmade garments is keeping invisible zippers from breaking. They don’t go over seams well at all. Any tips???

    1. Teresa says:

      I always trim the seams and sew a stay stitching line for the zip so I can get it even. Honestly I prefer lapped zippers, but wanted the clean line for this dress.

  4. Claudia says:

    This looks great, what a lovely color! I did Lisette patterns and her fabric. The ones for Butterick have always made me think, “am I sure it’s my style?” Because they’re easy to wear, classic designs but they have enough of a twist to them that I don’t think they’re just standard.

  5. kitblue says:

    Thanks for the tip about darts for rounded shoulders. That will come in helpful.
    I have a thick waist (although I am working on it), not narrow. Do you have any suggestions to take that into account?
    I, too, love the fabric colour and texture. I would not have imagined a brown zipper would suit. I am always amazed what colours go together when I am in the fabric shop.

    1. Teresa says:

      You Can easily pull the waist out from the bottom of the armscye to the waistline. Just take your measurements and adjust accordingly!

  6. Peggy says:

    I really like the bodice. It’s so different. Thank you for sharing.

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