Butterick 5219 Oh Yeah!

Thank you for your thoughts on the last outfit.  I am seriously thinking about following through on Sue's and Irene's suggestion to maybe try to alter the skirt.  I really do like the fabric and it would be a versatile skirt in the long run, if it fit better, so thanks for the push! 

For now, let's talk about Butterick 5219!  It's a fast and easy pattern according to the envelope, and I'll vouch for that.  Though I wouldn't recommend sewing the yoke the way it suggests if you want to keep it fast and easy.  I also a made a couple of other modifications to keep it simple.  I don't like wasting time on details that will be lost in a print.  Therefore, I didn't add a separate hem band or sleeve band, but I did add the length that they would have provided.  I used my coverstitch machine to hem them.

So, what motivated me to make this tunic?  Well... now that I have a shop on Etsy, I have been spending some time there and am amazed by so many of the talented artisans.  Recently, I found and purchased a gorgeous agate earring and necklace set made by Andi of Wee Hippies.  The colors in it reminded me of a rayon knit fabric that I had purchased last fall/winter, and sure enough it was a perfect match.  The next decision was what pattern to use?  I definitely needed an open neckline to showcase the necklace.  I spent more time contemplating what pattern to use, than actually sewing it up.  Once I settled on Butterick 5219, I cut out view D in a size 10.  It fits pretty well straight out of the envelope.  And here it is all sewn up and modeled with the necklace set. 

 

This is how I finished the neckband.  I sewed the front neckband to the back neckband on the fashion fabric and the lining.  My lining is the same as my fashion fabric.  Then I laid the two right sides together and stitched the neckline.  I trimmed my seam allowance, then understitched on the lining side.  Next, I folded the neckband wrong sides together and basted the raw edges together to keep the neckband all one piece.  Finally, I attached the neckband to the tunic.  By doing it this way, I didn't have a facing to stitch down.  The neckline is all finished in this last step.  One more note on the knit fabric; it is very light-weight and nearly sheer, which makes it nice for summer.  I originally thought I might only want to wear this print in the fall/winter months.  But I think it works with the white, slim-fitting, RTW, stretch cords I've had for ages.  I may also make a pair of dark brown linen culottes from a vintage designer Vogue pattern which should work with it as well.  Don't you just love how one idea leads to another?  Now if only there was enough time... 

Mahalo to Andi for my beautiful new necklace and earrings.  I will enjoy wearing them!