Thursday, April 21, 2016

New Summer Butterick: Sabrina/Marilyn Mashup, Dirndl Chic, and Tiki Separates


I have three new patterns out in my Butterick line for summer! An evening gown, a collection of Hawaiian resort separates, and a dirndl-inspired dress.

First, the evening gown! This is B6353.


As you may have guessed, this is almost entirely Sabrina inspired. The fabric, an embroidered organza, is part of my new special occasion fabric collection from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

But look at the bust pleats and the pink illustration, and do you see the shades of Marilyn?


The gown has boning throughout, felt underlining for the bodice (that's how those pleats stay perky), a satin lining, a removable train, and a contrast belt.


As usual, I modeled the patterns! They were shot both on me and a model, so here they are. Believe me, I'm not crazy about showing my pictures side by side with a "real" model (that would require unshakeable body confidence from any woman). But I always like seeing designs on different body types when looking at a garment, don't you?




Here's the line drawing and pattern envelope. 


Next up, B6352 is a dirndl-inspired dress for every day wear. Dirndls: they're not just for October fest anymore!
I became dirndl-obsessed after my recent trips to Germany and Austria, and loved the idea of making a dirndl-ish dress that could be worn everyday. This design is my answer to that idea.

The dress has puff sleeves that resemble a dirndl blouse, a low-cut square neckline, princess seams, a front zipper, a gathered circle skirt with a hemline ruffle, and a waist sash that calls to mind the traditional dirndl apron.

I used mini pompom trim in the sleeve cuffs, neckline, and back princess seams for a fun take on the traditional use of piping in dirndls!


The skirt length is almost tea-length for a retro look. 


The fabric is a lovely rayon challis with allover roses and strawberries, also from my new collection. 


The pattern envelope shows how you can use contrast fabric for the princess panels (and wear sassy sunglasses). Cute!
Lastly, here's B6354, a collection of four tiki-inspired resort separates that can be worn layered or on their own. 

The idea here is that you can wear the bustier and shorts out on the beach . . . 


. . .  and then add a wrap skirt  and perhaps a bolero on top for a little coverage on the town!


You can see the details, as always, in the included line drawing. 

These pieces were sewn in a tropical print sateen

I hope you love the new patterns! You can get them on the Butterick website, or your local sewing supply store.

36 comments:

  1. Gorgeous, and not to slight the model, but these look 10X better on you!

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    1. Aw thank you, Peter! It's funny, I think I'm so conditioned to seeing clothes on models that I just automatically think that the designs look better on someone taller, thinner, and younger. It's hard to challenge those assumptions, especially when you're looking at photos of yourself! Hope you are well. :)

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  2. I love your fabrics and your pattern designs! I will definitely be dusting off my sewing machine and hitting my local Joanne's to pick up at least two of your new patterns and your wrap top/full skirt pattern from the previous collection.

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  3. You look so stunning in the evening gown!!!! The Tiki separates are already in their way to me... From USA to Berlin, I guess I have to wait a little longer... But still the best price, cause they had a sale :)

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  4. Beautiful! You look so much better than the model! I love your vintage style!

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  5. They all look so amazing, I want them all!! You always create such beautiful vintage patterns! <3

    xo

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  6. Oh my goodness, they are all darling but the tiki pieces!! Ahhh! I already want to make the sarong skirt in every solid and tropical print I can get my hands on. And how fun to make the whole set for a perfect outfit from the beach to a fabulous night out. Are these already in stores?

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    1. I love the tiki pieces too. Question about the top (item b), how exactly does this close? It looks like a zipper but I can't get my head around how it opens/closes and how one squeezes their body into it if one end is closed. Is it one of those zippers you see on a coat where you can open it completely? What kind of zipper is that?

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  7. The model is lovely, but you make them 'come to life'.

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    1. Thank you so much, ladies! It's so hard to be objective when looking at yourself as compared to a model so it's nice to hear thoughts on the subject either way!

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  8. Gorgeous! I'm flipping out over the tiki set, because I've been hankering for a bustier top like that FOREVER and never found a pattern I liked that wasn't just a bra top, which never quite worked out when trying to modify for more coverage. Swoon! I also agree it's so nice to see them on you as well as the models. :)

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    1. Totally agree, the bustier top is going to be wonderful! As a side note, I love your blog too, Tasha :)

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  9. View B of the dirndl dress reminds me of the Gunne Sax dresses from my childhood. I know what I'm looking for next time I'm in town.

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  10. You look completely fab! I love seeing you modeling these designs -- they really suit you.

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  11. I love these new patterns. I also love it that you modeled each one as well, seeing it on different people does help get a feel for how the garment looks. Plus you do pull off that vintage look a little better than some of the models ;)

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  12. Gorgeous, exciting patterns and beautiful fabric -- it's all totally inspiring!

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  13. Actually, my first impression on opening this e-mail was, Gertie's doing her own modeling, how cool! . . . ohmigosh what happened to the tats??? Not that I like tattoos so much but you wear yours with such happy confidence and it was a shock not to see them.
    I'm probably too old (by a quarter-century) for the Gunne Sax look of the dirndl (altho it is really pretty) but the tiki set . . . I'm seriously thinking about that, having just discovered real shorts last summer, as opposed to cut-offs.

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  14. Was in Joann's yesterday and saw your new fabric line - the sheer cream with actual yellow roses is stunning! Not sure what I'd ever use it for, but I really loved how feminine it was!

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  15. Love the patterns, SO EXCITED about the playsuit!!!

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  16. Love the patterns, SO EXCITED about the playsuit!!!

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  17. I love the Sabrina look using that fabric. I was thinking that organza might even work to recreate the grace Kelly dress from rear window, if you trim off the scallop and put the border at the waist. I want to try that out out now! I also love the tiki pieces, though I'd prefer to join the top and skirt into a dress, or maybe make it a play suit and keep the skirt separate. I wouldn't want my tummy poking out! So many options!

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  18. Gertie, these look wonderful. I have a couple of friends who will totally rock these looks!

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  19. These designs are outstanding! You look better than the models because your personality shines through, and I think it's important to see clothes on a person who is not a model. I love the black and white organza fabric. It looks like something my youngest daughter would have chosen for a prom dress, and she probably would have chosen the pattern, too. I made her prom dresses from vintage style patterns, and I still have the patterns and dresses. Can't seem to part with them!

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  20. I squeal just came out when I saw your Sabrina Dress... that is my all time favourite dress. I am so getting this pattern to have in my stash - just in case I can go somewhere to wear it... btw you look fabulous...

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  21. I agree with Peter, the designs look better on you, the model is too thin to show the clothes to advantage.
    Loving the dirndl and the separates patterns, hate to think how long we need to wait till they arrive here in New Zealand though.

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  22. I am 70 yrs old and this is my first time to your blog. My mother who is 90 yrs old and I love to sew. First I must respectively say I am not a big fan of tatoos, but considering the FACT that you put a lot of hard work into producing this blog, modeling the those exquisitely beautiful dresses that reflect your talent of exceptionally good taste, I think I can get by the tatoos and honestly say that you look better than the model young lady. I believe with the confidence you have shown, you can model with the best of them. My favorite outfit on you is Butterick 6353. You look MARVELOUS in that dress. Young lady you are doing wonderful job and I enjoyed reading your blog and will continue to stop by from time to time.

    Sincerely,
    Mrs Yvonne Conner

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  23. WOW these are FAB! And you rock the resort 4 piece! I'm just dying to make it!!

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  24. "But I always like seeing designs on different body types when looking at a garment, don't you?" It so rarely happens that I was nonplussed, but YES! I cannot relate to model sizes, and am so happy to see your patterns on a more (I want to say realistic, but the models are real) typical body!

    I love the tiki set but have the same concerns about "tummy". There is a lot of comfort appeal in not overlapping, though!

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  25. I love the last pic, Thanks for the detail photos, these as you know are priceless

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  26. Dear Gertie, Hi! I received your new ultimate dress book soon after it was published and it is really great like your first two books! I just love these Butterick patterns too! I had been considering making a skirt similar to the Butterick 6352 dress pattern and now I am more inspired to go ahead. Who doesn't love the 1950's Retro Tiki style? That is so great - mix and match separates. As always, you look fabulous in the retro styles you design. The Sabrina dress is really lovely too! Way to go! Thank you so much! Kathy from Arizona

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  27. The Alfred Shaheen inspired Hawaiian style play suit is awesome--been waiting for ages to see something like this to come along. (and the size range is great too) Congrats on this sophisticated new pattern collection, it's 3 of the best new patterns out there!

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    1. ps, just bought the playsuit pattern, so excited to make this up as soon as it arrives!

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  29. Thank you for showing them on you! It's so good to see them on a range of bodies. I agree that I personally think they look better on you (no shade to the model! She of course looks beautiful as well.) Especially the white dress, I think because the model is taller the drape looks less full and dramatic on her while on you it looks fantastic!

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  30. Hi,
    I've been reading your blog for a few years. I just wanted to say I prefer seeing the designs you've made on you rather than the models they usually use since,not to knock the models,but they often lack shape. Even more annoying, frequently the pattern companies(not you patterns) seem to not make the version to be shown on the envelope so it actually FITS the model.Sort of ironic. Love your stuff.
    Heidi in L.A.

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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