Little Animals Fleecie Dressing Gown Butterick 5537, Finished!

I have been an absent blogger for a while, but here I am back with pics of my finished dressing gown, Butterick 5537. It is a hard colour to photograph, so these photos have been lightened slightly. I lengthened the gown by about 2 inches, and shortened the sleeves by lots! I am a smidge over 5 foot, so it is wonderful to get the sleeves the perfect length for me.

Back view with visiting celebrity model "Bootsie".

I had a little trouble with the front facing as it was loose all the way down the front. I stiched it by hand in three places, so it does not flop out while I am wearing it. I also top stitched the collar and the front.

I found a kind of overlocking/serger stitch on my Janome so I used it to sew the whole dressing gown (except of course the top stitching). It worked quite well and used up quite a bit of thread. I like this dressing gown pattern and would use it again.

Overlocker/serger stitch on my Janome

I think I am going to be a very intermittent blogger over the next couple of months but don't despair, it will be back to business as usual before you know it!

Happy sewing everyone!

Little Animals Fleecie Dressing Gown - Butterick 5537

Butterick 5537

Every couple of years or so, I buy a new winter fleece dressing gown, usually from Best & Less. When I saw their plush gowns in store this year, I was not impressed, so set out to make my own. When I told some non-sewers they were shocked and proceeded to tell me where I could get a great dressing gown. I had looked at all the catalogues that make their way into my letter box, and again, I was not impressed with what was on offer. Fleece seemed to have given way to Plush.  My house is too cold for a Plush gown, so I bought Butterick 5537 and set about making my own.

I went on the look of the dressing gown picture on the pattern cover (I am making view A) and did not stop to check whether it could be sewn up using fleece. They recommend single sided fleece but not double. I have never sewn with fleece and when I checked Sandra Betzina's book More Fabric Savy, she states that you simply cannot iron the stuff. So imagine the fun I had getting those patch pockets on the front. I had to hand baste the corners and then pin the blazes out of them so they stayed in place while I sewed them on. The result is not too bad, but it explains why my bought ones have in-seam pockets.

Shawl collar

I also got tempted at Spotlight and bought some fleece (also double-sided) to make another one. This fleece is anti-pill, and is designed for out-door wear, so it should make a cosy dressing gown. I gotted 'sucked in' by the cute animal pics on this brown fabric which I think is more suitable for my 6 year old niece, but I like it.

I cut out the same owl motif for each pocket.  I lightened the previous 2 photos so you could see the detail, but didn't for this photo.

Cute fox motif:

Despite the no-iron issue, it is coming together well, and I should have it finished soon.  Then I am planning to make a winter top for myself as those dolls have been getting so much, my wardrobe is looking decidedly patchy.

Mid-Week Musings, or Why I Got Back Into Sewing!

I am starting a new job in just over a month's time and the New Look jacket 6619 is languishing still in the corner of my sewing room. I would really like a new jacket for my new job, and having not completed all my clothing alterations, I got a quote on getting a jacket made. Now I think I would want to be rewarded well for all the work that goes into making a jacket, and I think $250.00 is a fair price for the time and hassle. Only problem is because I know how to do it myself, it really hurts to 'cough up' that amount of money. Just think of all the lovely fabric, patterns and books that I could buy with that amount of money. Also, that price does not include the fabric, lining and notions. Looks like I am going to have to get organised. I do have a week off before my job starts so I had better get sewing!