A new stylish black dress, B6169

Lisette B6169

I am still alive and sewing, even though I can't find time to blog many projects.  Spring is always crazy busy with four kids.  Schedules should settle after school is out.

Fabric:

Black with white paint spots lightweight cotton broadcloth from Fabrique Fabrics in Plano, TX.

Black lining 

Pattern:

Butterick, B6169 View B

Fitting Alterations:

Added to the side front princess panels about 3/4" for a full bust adjustment.  (Actually added it to the center front too, but took it out when I saw how full it looked.)

Took off about 1 1/2" height from the shoulder yoke on front and back.

The real story:

I was shopping at Fabrique Fabrics during a state basketball tournament earlier this spring.  When you have this starry gaze in your eyes as you look at fabric, the shop owner recognizes that look and runs the to back to open her newest shipment of fabric.  Out comes this print and a few others I couldn't live without.  In the spur of the moment, I think I bought 3 yards.  Problem arises when the dress I want to make calls for 4 yards.  

Solution:  Line the dress and the belt.  Remarkably, the belt with one side of lining fabric always falls to the print side.  You can't even tell I cheated.  I was going to skip the pockets, but I had enough fabric for the front side of the pocket and the back is in lining fabric.

The Summation:

I usually run from anything that is "loosely" fitted.  It is a clue to the experienced sewer that it will fit like a bag.  Somewhere I noticed the designer, Liesl Gibson, say that she challenged us to try a loosely fitted garment and find it flattering.  

I think this one passes the test.  It is comfortable and easy to wear.  

I wore if for a special day, my grandma turned 100 years old over the weekend.  

Lisette B6169

My sister and I with my grandma on her 100th birthday.

A few of the family came to church with my grandma as her family gift for her 100th birthday.