Polka Dots & Chevron | Butterick 4443

Polka Dots & Chevron | Butterick 4443

Hey ya’ll! Did you guys have a good Easter!? We sure did. I cooked as usual but not a big ole feast. My mother did send me a pan of dressing and I was eating some last night and dancing though the house. Good food will give you a mean happy dance! LOL

Moving right along. I pulled out Butterick 4443 from the archives.

I made this dress back in 2012 (and I still have it) I knew this pattern was exactly what I was going for.

Let me explain.

I love polka dots and I LOVE stripes. I’ve never wanted to wear them together until I saw this dress last year:

(Source)

I can’t find the exact blog entry now but this dress did me in. I LOVED it. Inspiration is everywhere. I took what she wore and literally made it my own.

When I was in LA with Mimi last November we shopped at Michael Levine and when I saw the stripe and polka dot fabric I already knew what I wanted to make. There wasn’t enough fabric on the either bolt so I purchased what they had and put it up until I started thinking about what I wanted to wear for Easter.

I’ve NOT been one to mix prints. I love the look on others but didn’t want to risk looking like a clown so I never tried it. I decided to just go for it. Even after I made it I was unsure. This is WAY out of the box for me. I put it on Sunday morning and almost changed lol. I said forget it. I made it, I’m wearing it. Even after I came home I was STILL unsure. It wasn’t until about 11 pm last night that I said, “oh my goodness, I love my dress.” lol Talk about delayed gratification.

Doing something outside of your comfort zone can be a bit scary but also rewarding. I’m ready to try even more things now lol

I would not dare wear a strapless dress to church. Just not the thing for “ME” to do, so I picked up my favorite white cardigan and wore that.

I knew that black and white would be perfect with these coral shoes lol. I decide what clothes to wear based on my shoes. FIRST.

Dress :DIY Butterick 4443 (OOP)

Shoes: Zara

Clutch : Adrienne’s Essentials

Cardigan: Target

For those of you who sew, here is a review:

Pattern Description: Dress: close-fitting bodice and slightly flared skirt has bodice variations, back zipper and is below mid-knee length. B: contrast band, tie belt and purchased flower. C: tie belt. D: purchased ribbon and bow trim. E: purchased ribbon bow.

I made view A

Pattern Sizing: 8-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? Great instructions. I only glanced over them. I didn’t need them for this dress.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Loved the simplicity of the pattern.

Fabric Used: Stretch cotton sateen

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Just a very simple one. I cut the front of the skirt at an angle so that the stripes would create a chevron. I also cut two pieces of the front instead of cutting it on the fold.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I think this is a great basic to have if you can find it. It’s now OOP. This has become a TNT for me. I’m sure I’ll use it again.