Sunday, November 28, 2010

Why hello, Butterick.

I am a sucker for advertising.  Though I'm sure that their designs are well developed, I always steer clear of Butterick and Kwiksew patterns.  It's just that the pattern illustrations look so dowdy and frumpy.  So by extension, I assume that the clothing to be produced from said pattern will be dowdy and frumpy.   Perfect for, say, making robes as gifts.  Not so perfect for what I want to wear everyday.

I am also weak.  I am completely out of black and white thread, so decided to stop by Joann Fabrics after climbing since I would be in the suburbs anyways.  It turns out that there is a $0.99 Butterick pattern sale, so I had to check out what was available. 

My preconceived notion that Butterick patterns are intended for a Woman of a Certain Age has been turned on its head.  Or perhaps, I have reached a Certain Age myself (I actually think that chronologically speaking, I have about 10 or 15 more years to go.)

I got two dress patterns. A Maggy London design, Butterick 5559 and a retro design, Butterick 5281.
Butterick 5559.  I love the front and back seaming details.

I will probably make the elbow length sleeved dress as shown on the model.
Butterick 5281 with interesting seam details.

I am actually a little worried that it may be on the matronly side in real life.

But the envelope illustration (and I am a total sucker for this) looks amazing!

Butterick 5292 almost came home with me as well.  I love the asymmetrical collar on the jacket.  But I decided that I need to be honest with myself -- I have a long list of projects already, and don't need more patterns!

Butterick 5292 line drawing.  The jacket of interest is C.

9 comments:

  1. My mom and I both got 5559 too! I love those seams and can see it working well at many ages and figure types. I agree with your preconception, though. I tend to think Butterick and KS are dowdy, but sometimes they get it right!

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  2. I've got way too many lumps for 5559 but it is fabulous!

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  3. In my minds eye I would look great in 5559 but in reality I'm afraid it would just be a sad, sad story. I can't wait to see it all made up.

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  4. I've had my eye on the Maggie London pattern because I wanted to try and recreate a certain dress from Ann Taylor that had gathers and seaming across the bodice, but I needed a pattern that is for a woven (knits scare the crap out of me for dresses). I can't wait to see how yours comes out.

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  5. Butterick is just Vogue, cheaper. Minus the most expensive designers, but minus the most expensive prices. What's not to like? That said, none of the big 4 fit me without a struggle, so I'm more likely to look for a similar Burda than to embark on any likely Butterick.

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  6. I always had similar feelings about Butterick, until I saw some made-up on various blogs. I finally tried some during a pattern sale and am so glad I did. The results were some of my favorite tops ever. I'm slowly learning how to get past the awful pattern illustrations. Unfortunately, they often don’t look much better when there is a photo. I bet if you made the retro pattern, you could get non-matronly results. As long as the basic lines are good, it can work.

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  7. My Joann didn't yet have the new Buttericks when I went to pick up 5559. So annoyed! I am going to have to pay attention to when the next Butterick sale is. I'm thinking black with white topstitching on the tucks.

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  8. @Juanita, I hope that my retro pattern turns out looking chic and current... that's my hope, anyways. :)

    @Slapdash, that's going to be an awesome dress. Can't wait to see it!

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