A Different Take on Butterick B5526

Another B5526, but this time I did the ruffle placket and collar. This is my 4th…version. My 3rd will probably never see the light of day….I made a leopard print version, and quickly remembered: I don’t wear animal prints. I look like a Flintstone in animal print. Does. Not. Work. On. Me.

I did not slim down the sleeves as this was already cut out, but the poofier sleeves work with the ruffles on this lightweight, ditzy floral, tiny corduroy I picked up at Jo-Ann’s Fabric last fall.

I only had enough matching buttons for the placket as I put 10 buttons down the front to keep them really close (2.5″ apart) and more fussy/Victorian-y, so I put gray-pearl buttons on the cuffs. Not enough ruffles for the cuffs, so cuffs are standard.

In fact, the whole ruffle thing was done on-the-fly. I didn’t have enough fabric leftover to do the proper swirl-cut bias ruffle, so I just used my ruffle foot on some strips and winged-it.

Whatevs. It works in a pinch and I’ve already worn it a ton.

I think I need a super high waist pencil skirt. Where I need to wear a pencil skirt, I have no idea, but just go with it. Humor me. And ignore my winter-messy yard. I was tired of indoor shots.

I know everyone is channeling 70s right now, but I’m all about 80s. 1985 Desperately Seeking Susan, 1986 Jennifer Grey, Duran Duran & Depeche Mode, Brat Pack. Big fried hair. Mix of boxy and weirdly tight-high neck-Victorian mash up of the 80s. I didn’t like the 50s resurgence that happened, so I’ll skip that part. I look stupid in Wayfarers – much like animal print.

Anyway, back to the shirt. I still want to slim down the back lower armscye there, but that will have to wait. I have other things I want to play with for awhile.

What else – Oh, I bias-faced the hem this time. On the fly as well….which made putting on the button placket kind of funny as I didn’t account for the extra length the bias hem would create, but it worked out fine. The collar stand covered up the gap that was still there after I reduced seam allowance – YAY for Big 4’s giant seam allowances! Also, skipped all interfacing as it’s still corduroy and would have resulted in ridiculously thick bits.

This is a fun shirt and all, and very winter-friendly, but I’m ready for spring sewing already. How about you??

Las SeƱoritas from Alexander Henry Fabrics Butterick: B5526

I’m beyond happy with this shirt. I know I’ve had a lot of angst regarding Big 4 patterns, but this Butterick B5526 has been an exception. I first saw it on Lauren’s blog, and ran out and bought it, then re-purchased it…only to find out now I probably could have just used the original purchase…whatevs.

This time I edited the pattern with my Lazy FBA ™ edits: Right now I have a size 16 cut, although I’m confident in Big 4 Ease that I can cut a 14 or even a 12 if I must. Anyway, cut a 16, added an inch in length above the natural waist line to adjust for my height, graded in to a <14 at the waist across all pieces, all of which is no small fete as it’s princess seamed front and back, plus has button plackets, collar stand, and collar. The only piece I haven’t changed yet is the sleeves, and I’m still thinking I need to take those down to at least 14, and decrease the armscye at the armpit. So, keeping the bust at a 16 more than accommodates my bust, and leaving the hips at 16 allows the length to easily glide over my mom-hips.

This is an older Alexander Henry quilting cotton called Las SeƱoritas in the “antique” colorway. Are you pro team apparel with quilting cottons or against it? I’m all for it – quality quilting cotton is tough and who can deny the Alexander Henry novelty prints?

However, I was only gifted 2 yards by a much more petite friend, and at only 45 inches wide before washing…some tough choices had to be made. I had to split the collar pattern piece, I made sure I got some good top-back placement, but pretty much all other placement had to come out how it came out. There wasn’t going to be any pattern matching with a huge print across princess seams with only 2 yards.

The gingham, which I love, was also out of necessity.

I placed buttons only 2 1/2″ apart, which allows for a lower neckline if I choose, and no way of any boob flashing while gardening, which I fully intend to do in this shirt come spring.

3/4 sleeves also due to necessity, but also because they go with the vintage feel of the print.

I used to be TOWER PLACKET on the cuff or GTFO, but I’m digging the bias placket lately, and I made tiny cuffs, both out of necessity and because they’re so darn cute. I was going to originally make this a rolled-up sleeve-only, but I’m glad I put in the extra effort on the sleeves. I really like them, and I love them with my vintage bakelite.

I’m so happy with this shirt, I have two more cut out.

oh, I forgot to take photos with the good camera – here’s some iPhone shots. The insides! On this shirt, I sort of fake flat-felled seamed it. I overlock all the seams, then stop-stitch at a distance that looks flat-felled.

Sturdy & neat. I pinked & top-stitched my first wearable muslin version, but now that I’ve made my adjustments, I put a bit more effort into it.