05 Aug Butterick Pattern 6669 View C
Green – the color of life, growth, renewal, harmony, nature, and energy.
I think the world could use a little more green and so could I. I embraced the Clover Green Cotton Eyelet from B & J Fabrics, and turned to Butterick 6669 for a full silhouette maxi, a departure from my everyday sheaths and shifts.
I recently finished the top included with this pattern (blogged here) and found the neckline flattering and the straps substantial….
but there was one major difference between the silhouettes….the top is fitted with princess seams and the dress is gathered.
Never a fan of gathers under the bust, I nonetheless gave them a try but my hunch was correct, and I reworked the fabric into a center pleat.
The alteration was an easy fix to eliminating the maternity-looking pouf of fabric.
I extended the length of the bust and upper back pieces by 3/4″ to better cup the bust and provide a more comfortable fit.
Lastly, I lined the dress to the ruffle.
The pattern provides a well-drafted bust lining, but I cut lining from the dress pieces using a featherweight cotton batiste that I died green using RIT dye.
The sum of the easy alterations and extra steps equals the beach maxi I was seeking,
and now, I’m ready for this color of restoration, serenity and calmness to work its magic.
Until soon 🙂
kathie Bennett
Posted at 07:23h, 05 AugustGreen is truly magical color on you! I love this dress. Who is your photographer?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 11:18h, 05 AugustThank you, Kathie! I used a very talented photographer from Magic Time Literary Agency. 😊
Libby Paul
Posted at 07:49h, 05 AugustYou look charming in Emerald green!
This color reminds me of the Wizard of Oz with the Emerald City.
You are ready to meet the Wizard in your fun summer dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 11:20h, 05 AugustLibby!!!!! Thank you – yes looking forward to meeting the Wizard 😉
Ava
Posted at 09:24h, 05 AugustGreen is gorgeous. Can you share a pic of the lining for the maxi.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:43h, 06 AugustAva ~ I will take one. Thank you.
Pegi White
Posted at 10:19h, 05 AugustWhat a beautiful inspiration! I love the color and fabric choice. This maxi says summer all over it! I would feel so stylish and comfortable at the beach in this. You nailed it!💗
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:28h, 05 AugustMany thanks, Pegi – it was one of those projects I was iffy about until it was finished 😉
Kathy VanFossen
Posted at 11:02h, 05 AugustBeautiful. You inspire me with every post.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:28h, 05 AugustAh…….. thank you so much for this comment, Kathy 😊
Eleanor Carlos
Posted at 11:35h, 05 AugustI love your alteration of changing the gathers to an under bust pleat! I’ve avoided patterns with those gathers for years, and now I know how to make them more attractive. Thank you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:30h, 05 AugustMy pleasure, Eleanor! I did a little groping in the dark before I reached the solution, but pleating was the way to go! Many thanks for your comment 😉
Judy Duerson
Posted at 14:22h, 05 AugustYour usual nice job and I concur……the color is really pretty on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:21h, 05 AugustThank you so much, Judy!!
Rosalind Clayton
Posted at 15:39h, 05 AugustThe colour is amazing & the dress looks super on you! The fit is excellent & your change to a pleat is as you say, far more flattering! Beautifully done as always, thank you for cheering all of us up!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:21h, 05 AugustThank you, Rosalind! So nice to hear from you 😊😊
Christine Fromont
Posted at 17:31h, 05 AugustBeautiful as always!
Can you please just clarify one point: When you said you extended the length of the bust and upper back pieces by 3/4″ , did you mean you extended them at the top or the bottom?
Many thanks
Christine
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:20h, 05 AugustChristine ~ I should have been more clear. I extended the length of the bust and upper back pieces at the bottom. This allowed me to gather the bust in full and have the piece fit. I discovered in the top, the piece was slightly short and I had to adjust the gathering. The back is now 3/4″ longer but the dress is a good fit 😉
Many thanks for you question and comment!
Jennifer Shaw
Posted at 23:42h, 05 AugustWhat a gorgeous color and style for your dress, Sarah! Did you need to make a muslin of the dress before cutting out the gorgeous emerald green fabric? I have been learning how to fit myself with the help of the Palmer Pletsch books since I have moved away from my sewing friends in the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s a big learning curve to look at my reflection in the mirror and take selfies to make the needed adjustments. Thank you for sharing another gorgeous dress!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:43h, 06 AugustThank you, Jennifer! Since I had just made the top, I was familiar with the fit and did not make a muslin. However, had I made one I would have known better how to work around those gathers!
You must miss your sewing friends so much! Selfies are definitely the next best thing 😉
thedementedfairy
Posted at 04:00h, 06 AugustFab! I recently made a top in a crinkle silk/cotton in this exact colour. It is a firm favourite already, and feels fabulously summery. Love it- I now need a maxi dress too
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:45h, 06 AugustMany thanks! I feel this color looks good on everyone!
Susan Forney
Posted at 08:55h, 06 AugustBeautifully, breezy style perfect for our East Coast summers. I love a dress that you can throw on and suddenly look all pulled together. Nicely done!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:44h, 06 AugustSusan ~ That was the intent! I rarely feel pulled together at the beach, but a maxi does the trick😉 Many thanks for your comment!
Anne
Posted at 10:02h, 06 AugustBeautiful make, I feel the same about gathering, love your tip for the inverted pleat. I will need to give this a try. I love the green on you
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:46h, 06 AugustAnne ~ I tried the pleat both ways, but inverted was the way to go. I’ve never worn much green and have no idea why!
Thank you for your comment 😊
MaryEllen Pendleton
Posted at 10:35h, 06 AugustThis dress is such a pretty color & yes we all need some cheer , renewal & new life . Thanks for all the details on bodice fit . Your peaceful , cheery dress is the motivation we all need ( especially me) right now . Thanks 🥰
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:47h, 06 AugustThank you for such a nice comment, Mary Ellen 😊 The psychological effects of color intrigues me.
Carole Whitridge
Posted at 23:38h, 14 AugustSarah, I’ve been following you since the beginning. Life got busy and I just checked in just now and was browsing your posts for this last year. I love the green dress. I always see eyelet in the store and don’t know what to do with it – your dress is beautiful and I think I’ll try something similar. The color is wonderful. I wanted to reach out, after seeing your post about your daughter’s cancer. My daughter was diagnosed with cancer in March 2019. She’s sixteen now and responding well to targeted chemotherapy. I just wanted to say I have some idea of what you and your family has gone through and I’m thinking of you. Carole
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:37h, 17 AugustCarole ~ Thank you so much for your message. I’m so sorry your daughter has experienced cancer, and at such a young age. I’m glad she is doing well.
Thank you also for being a loyal Goodbye Valentino reader!……….. Since the beginning?