Thursday, November 20, 2014

Grey Pleated Dress


The dress I'm sharing today is Butterick 5559. I've had this pattern in my stash for a while, I think I bought it at one of the Clegs pattern sales. While preparing to make my frocktails dress, after making the muslin and before buying the fabric I had some spare time so cut this dress out. By the time I'd sewn the pleats on one of the pieces I had my frocktails fabric so this got put aside for a little while before I finished it.

The pattern is really clever; there are darts on the bodice front and skirt back, hidden beneath some of the pleats. The pleat almost at my waistline is also actually a seam, so you cut the bodice and skirt out as separate pieces.

I tried the dress on without sleeves, but decided to add sleeves, which I left the just above elbow length in the pattern


I found the pleats quite simple and relaxing to do. I just took my time with marking them and sewing them. I probably should have stitched them with grey thread rather than black though. I managed to match up some of them on the side seams, but some of them just didn't match; I don't know if that was a sewing, cutting or drafting error, but the distance that some of them didn't match by seems bizarre, and a little frustrating.

I used the neck facing that came with the pattern, and top stitched it down around the neckline to stop it flipping. I also took the pattern in a bit along the side seams (including up into the sleeve) as I'd bought the larger set of sizes (because past-Rachel naively trusted the size chart on the envelope). This could possibly have contributed to the issues with matching the pleats, but I don't think explains all of it.


The fabric is a double knit that I picked up from the GJs remnants table. Unfortunately the fabric snags ridiculously easily; the first time I wore the dress I managed to snag the front of the skirt on a bag (visible in the above photos), and have since snagged more and more of it, including along the back just from wearing a backpack with the dress. I had some more of the fabric left but I think it will be relegated to muslins.

So overall, the pattern worked out quite well and I've since bought some more fabric to possibly make another version. I'll probably keep wearing it a bit longer even though it's snagged too, because it's really comfy.

23 comments:

  1. That's a gorgeous dress! Annoying about the fabric, but the pleats look amazing!

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  2. You look smokin' in this dress. Make more!

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  3. I'm with Helen. MOAR Butterick 5559s!

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  4. This looks amazing on you Rachel! Definitely make more!

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  5. looks great! i've been wanting one of these but wondering if the pleats were too much for me :)

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  6. Rachel your sewing is just going from strength to strength and this really demonstrates your skillz. Really lovely dress and you must make it again.

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  7. love it, definitely replicate it!!!

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  8. A very striking dress; it looks great on you. Such a pity the fabric is so fragile. You should definitely make another one!

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  9. That is so gorgeous on you and incredibly flattering. I love it. You definitely need to make that in a better fabric. It's so tragic when the fabric betrays you like that. The dress is too perfect on you to not make another! :)

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  10. Love the pleating detail on this, it's a really flattering fit :-)

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  11. The pleats give an excellent visual effect. Really nice work on the dress. If fits beautifully.

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  12. You did a great job. That pattern whipped me.

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  13. How awesome are those pleats! I really love this dress on you. Bummer about the fabric! You should definitely make it again.

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  14. That is a great pattern on you - the pleats are super flattering. Pity about the fabric being so catchy, but you definitely make the pattern again, it's a winner!

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  15. This is a winner - comfy and chic!

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  16. Gorgeous dress, you look very sophisticated and chic. I've been thinking about this dress every time I see one made up, and now I'm completely sold

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  17. Perfect style for you - you look so elegant. Don't sweat too much about the mismatch of the side seams. Nobody will notice.

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  18. The dress looks great on you but GAH that it snags so badly. I HATE that! Once something isn't "perfect" I struggle to wear it and feel good.

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  19. Very cool pleats. How odd that they're out of alignment a smidge but you can't really notice. Wear it until it's snagged to death and then make another? :-)

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  20. You look amazing! Such a shame about the fabric as it looks so great made up in this dress. This a perfect style for you!

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Comments make me smile :)

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