Butterick 5814 - The Finished Sewing Dare Dress

2.12.2013

Hello Darlings, are you ready to drink some cocktails and ignore our children? At least that's what I'm told you do while wearing silk wiggle dresses. Honestly it sounds like a delightful afternoon.
Butterick 5814 front 1
Go make mommy a martini, shaken not stirred.
I'm hoping Don Draper picks me up and takes me somewhere nice.  I'll ignore his philandering if he's especially charming.  Also he must wear a hat....who am I kidding, call me Don!  If Don is not available I will take September from Fringe, he looks great in a hat.
Butterick 5814 back
I need a tall man in a suit to help me walk in these shoes.

Confession time, I bought Butterick 5814 and never expected to actually sew it.  I liked the bodice but thought the drape was odd and anyway a cocktail dress is that last thing I "needed."  Then Gillian dared me to make a sexy dress and all of a sudden I'm buying boning and pulling silk out of the stash.

Now that I've made the dress, I Love It.  The silk lining feels delicious and waist stays are my new best friend.  The Butterick directions on the waist stay was a little vague but gorgeous fabrics explained all my questions.  I'd say this pattern was a nice introduction to boning.  There are only a few pieces to insert and the only problem I had was my silk lining sliding around.  About that drape, it grew on me.  I thought it wouldn't be that flattering but instead it looks lovely

Here's a nice close up of the very pretty gathered bodice and the drape.  Also my cleavage... your welcome. 
Butterick 5814 bodice and drape close

Now into photos of the insides of dress. Scandalous!

Waist Stay and inside lining.  I used self fabric for both sides of the sleeves but the rest of the lining is black crepe de chine.
Butterick 5814 lining and waist stay

Back zipper
Butterick 5814 back zipper

Hem.  I added a little overlocking to the edge, not couture but that's fine by me.
Butterick 5814 back slit

In addition to the fitting changes I talked about in this post,  I took a scant 1/8th off the side seams and about 2" in at the CB waist, which was blended out into nothing over the backside.  I needed the full amount of ease across the hips/derriere, but a lot less ease at my sway back.

One last look cause we're having fun.
Butterick 5814 front 2
Milly feather print silk crepe de chine (Long gone but originally from Gorgeous fabrics)
Black silk crepe de chine lining -  Gorgeous fabrics
Stockings - Pretty Polly Cuban Heel Back Seam Tights - Dollhouse Bettie
Shoes - Nadine Peep Toe Pumps - Shop Ruche

Full flickr set here and if you want to see all my blog posts on this dress click on the Butterick-5814 tag on the post

20 comments:

  1. This is SO beautiful. I love the print and the pattern and it even looks beautiful on the inside. I am so impressed!

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    1. Thank you Megan, the pattern does give you a very tidy bodice on the inside. Black also hides some mistakes. ;)

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  2. I love the fabric... I have this dress pattern also. One of those "I'd like to but doubt I will" patterns! It looks so beautiful on you and you did a fab job sewing it up! You look GREAT! -Laurie

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    1. Thanks Laurie, it was fun to make something that was just icing. Usually I'm a rather practical sewer.

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  3. WOW- saw this on Facebook and had to come by to compliment you.
    Your dress turned out really well and it looks great on you!

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    1. Thanks so much, it was a big project and I'm glad you like it.

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  4. Such a beautiful dress. Now you must have a date or cocktails with friends to show it off. Just wearing it for blog pictures doesn't count!!

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    1. Haa haaa, I'll keep that in mind. Those pesky toddlers have a way of keeping you at home. :)

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  5. Gorgeous!! I purchased some of this fabric last year and it immediately became too nice to to cut. You are my hero!!

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    1. Oh I know what you mean! Cutting it felt so wrong, it's so pretty. Maybe you just need the right project to take scissors to your yardage.

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  6. Wooo for a wiggle dress! I know what you mean... I understand how some people sew ONLY things like this - it does make you feel good, even if slightly impractical! But gosh darn it, you look fabulous in this dress. A real fabric delight, too! The thing that draws me in about this pattern is the back neckline - so classic and elegant. Am loving your black seamed stockings too - perfect for this outfit :) Looking smashin!

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    1. Yes! I can see how sewing pretty impractical dresses could be a bit addicting. Now I'm thinking that the bombshell dress from Gertie's Craftsy class should actually get made.

      Thanks so much :)

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  7. I"m late commenting - but only because you dress is so fab that I don't know what to say! I'm in awe that you made this dress! You worked so hard on it, and it really turned out so well. I hope you find a place to wear it soon! Best of all, I'm really glad that #sewingdares lead to being twitter buddies!

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    1. Thanks Gillian, I'm glad we're twitter pals too! Also thank you for the dare, it's a great way to get some motivation to do something out of your comfort zone.

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  8. i think you did a fabulous job! i especially love your fabric choice and how it adds an element of playfulness to the entire look. your cleavage, if i may say, is looking very happy to be so well shown-off! :-)

    puu

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    1. Thank you puu - the fabric is pretty fun isn't it. I might have a thing for feather prints.

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  9. I love the fabric, and the style. I have the same pattern in my stash. I need to pull it out, and make a nice dress that is ready when special occasions arise. You look good!!

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    1. Do make the dress, it's a very rewarding project. I'm sure you'll look fabulous in it too!

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  10. Love how your dress turned out! I'm currently attempting to conquer this beast of a frock, and I tip my hat to you for producing such a lovely rendition in such a tricky fabric.

    I just decided on this pattern last week for an occasion April 1st: have just finished my second muslin, but I'm pretty sure I won't be getting it finished in the next four days!

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    1. Thanks so much and best of luck finishing your dress. I'll cross my fingers for you. :)

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