Countdown with Butterick 6388

10 Jan Countdown with Butterick 6388

I might be smiling but I’m not happy.

I’ve got a book of excuses for gaining nearly 10 pounds, but I won’t go there. I decided the best way to start the 10-pound countdown was by sewing a new dress……. without a waistline.

To say life has changed while waiting for the Covid vaccine is an understatement, and I am thankful not to have contracted the virus so far, but on a much lighter note………. the pre-pandemic wardrobe I’ve sewn over the years is for a different lifestyle that hasn’t existed for a while. So for now, I’ll be keeping it simple and casual.

I sewed Butterick 6638 last December in a white cable knit (blogged here), and loved everything about the pattern. This go around I made the pattern with a medium-weight cheetah print sweater knit I bought last year in NYC at Fabrics and Fabrics.

This knit has more stretch than the cable knit and resulted in a looser fit – just what I needed. 😉

I’m loving the back yoke which provides detail interest as well as shaping through the upper back.

In the first version I omitted the center back seam to avoid interfering with the cable design, but not this time!

It’s a little difficult to see, but it’s there. Actually, all of the dress seams are more visible in the white cable knit dress.

Butterick 6388 is truly an instant gratification project, and can be sewn in one day. The only thing I caution about is the lapped collar. The collar is beautifully drafted, but it’s important to remember lapping the collar results in six layers at the front of the neck.

I finished each seam on the serger immediately upon completion, and interfaced the hem, a technique I have demonstrated before (blogged here).

Hopefully that center back seam will allow me to adjust the size of this dress once I’ve worked of these pounds 😊

Happy New Year, dear Readers! Stay safe.

 

goodbyevalentino
goodbyevalentino@gmail.com
49 Comments
  • Mimi Langford
    Posted at 08:29h, 10 January Reply

    Love! May have to borrow 😉

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 08:36h, 10 January Reply

      Thank you, Mimi! Borrow it anytime 😊😊

  • Pat B
    Posted at 08:33h, 10 January Reply

    Beautiful dress and perfect for now. I have this pattern and you have inspired me to bring it to the top of my “Lockdown” sewing list. Also, thank you for the advice on stabilizing the hem on knits. Thank you, I always enjoy and learn from your posts. Be safe.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 08:38h, 10 January Reply

      Many thanks, Pat! You will enjoy sewing this pattern – Instant gratification for sure 😊😊

  • Mary Funt
    Posted at 08:33h, 10 January Reply

    Looks fabulous and I can’t see the extra pounds. Hopefully things will get back to normal soon.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 08:39h, 10 January Reply

      Thank you, Mary! Normalcy – so hard to imagine, but we can’t give up hope 😉

  • Laura Casey
    Posted at 08:58h, 10 January Reply

    Sarah….this is the perfect make for the season as well as our casual lifestyle caused by COVID….you’ll have those pesky pounds off in no time and ready for Spring. I also have put new sewing projects to the side, (no place to go!) and working on finished sewing projects that need some tweaking…….
    I love a good animal print……love the make, and you too! Happy New Year……
    PS: My sis and I are postponing our London trip…..again. ☹️

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 09:19h, 10 January Reply

      Thank you, Laura! You two MUST get to London!
      The desire to sew during the pandemic has been a challenge for me. Some people have relished this new found sewing time and have been very productive, but it’s had the opposite effect on me, Laura.
      Anyhow, it’s a new year and hopefully we can get back in the groove! 😊 So nice to hear from you.

  • Lisa Jones
    Posted at 09:16h, 10 January Reply

    So happy to hear from you!, you are not the only one who has gained weight during “the pandemic”😢😢

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 09:21h, 10 January Reply

      Lisa…………….. The pounds crept up until I can’t take it anymore! Hopefully I ‘ll be sewing more fitted silhouettes soon 😉

  • Nancy J Abel
    Posted at 09:43h, 10 January Reply

    Sarah, cute as ever.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 11:30h, 10 January Reply

      Thank you, Nancy!

  • Mollie
    Posted at 09:56h, 10 January Reply

    Love this version!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 11:30h, 10 January Reply

      Many thanks, Mollie 😊

  • Becky Thompson
    Posted at 10:41h, 10 January Reply

    Just lovely Sarah! Looks cozy and just like a leopard’s spots, camouflages those extra pounds. 🙂

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 11:29h, 10 January Reply

      Thanks, Becky – that was the idea!

  • Karen Derbes
    Posted at 11:29h, 10 January Reply

    No worries, you look simply fabulous, as always! We’re all in the same boat. Your dress is beautiful and looks so comfy. The black boots really complement it.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 12:57h, 10 January Reply

      Thank you, Karen! It is a very comfortable dress – I’ve got some flat boots on order to wear with it that I believe will be more compatible for pandemic living 😉

  • MaryEllen Pendleton
    Posted at 11:40h, 10 January Reply

    This is such a pretty make Sarah ! You are always so inspiring . It has been hard to keep up enthusiasm to sew garments for me as well .
    But I’m starting 2021 with a new attitude ( hopefully )
    Thanks for always being such an inspiration

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 12:58h, 10 January Reply

      Many thanks, Mary Ellen! I think you have been V E R Y productive during the last year 😊

  • Vancouver Barbara
    Posted at 12:10h, 10 January Reply

    Love your dress. You look fab in it!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:48h, 11 January Reply

      Thanks so much, Barbara!

  • Marilyn Winograd
    Posted at 12:22h, 10 January Reply

    Your dress is lovely. Import important — ten pounds or not, you are lovely! We Would never evaluate others the ways we evaluate ourselves. I know because I am guilty of the same behavior.. We women need to be kinder to ourselves — and make more lovely clothing like yours!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:14h, 11 January Reply

      Marilyn,
      Many thanks for your sweet comment. I need to shed these unwanted pounds to get back into the clothes I’ve made!!!!! At 5’2″ , 10 pounds looks more like 20 😖

  • Joan Weakland
    Posted at 13:00h, 10 January Reply

    Glad to know you are well, Sarah, via your post. Frankly, I am glad to know that I have good company: I have gained 5 pounds during the pandemic and would like to lose ten that I have carried since 2014. I am trying to exercise regularly (increase strength and metabolism) and follow with diet, so losing the tummy and gaining muscle is my goal. STRUGGLING to make exercise a regular habit!

    Adorable dress that looks great on you! Since I am in a cold climate in the MW, I will enjoy that pattern and attractive seaming, sans collar, for summer!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:11h, 11 January Reply

      Get the virus or gain 10 pounds – that is the question isn’t it?
      You’ll love this pattern, Joan, but there is not an option for a collarless version. I also love the shorter sweater option on this pattern which would be perfect for winter 😉
      Good luck getting back in shape and many thanks for the comment!

  • Jan Pitts
    Posted at 13:19h, 10 January Reply

    I loved seeing a new post from you. Your dress looks great (l loved the cable knit one also). I have this pattern & some printed ponte knit for this dress. Will be adding this to my January “sew” list. I am so ready for all this isolation to be over with & be able to ditch constant leisure wear.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:04h, 11 January Reply

      Hi Jan! This pattern is a definite upgrade from gym clothes and jeans, but is comfortable and casual enough for pandemic living. Good luck with your dress and many thanks for the comment 😊

  • Karen of Fifty Dresses
    Posted at 16:10h, 10 January Reply

    Really cute and flattering dress, Sarah! And what’s not to like about that animal print? Just perfect! I think we are all trying to be happy, but truth be told, some days are better than others. I am at the point where I am literally dreaming about getting dressed up! Let’s hope for fancy days ahead, when we are all slim and lovely in our own creations!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:00h, 11 January Reply

      Dreaming of fancy days ahead when we are all slim and lovely – such a lovely vision, Karen! Many thanks 😊

  • Eileen
    Posted at 16:26h, 10 January Reply

    Love it!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:56h, 11 January Reply

      Many thanks, Eileen!

  • Sarah Liz
    Posted at 23:03h, 10 January Reply

    Hello Sarah, I also have gained the Covid 10—I just find I am too demotivated to do what I call forced exercise. Once I was naturally out and about active, but not now. Good idea to hide the extra with your dress -which looks lovely.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:56h, 11 January Reply

      Thank you for your comment, Sarah Liz 😊 We will get this off and look our best while doing so!

  • Marnita B Miller
    Posted at 09:25h, 11 January Reply

    I loved the white cable knit version but this one is FABULOUS! As always you look wonderful.

  • Carol in Denver
    Posted at 15:19h, 11 January Reply

    That dress is just luscious, and you look luscious in it.

  • Cynthia Willis
    Posted at 22:27h, 11 January Reply

    After seeing yours last year, I made one for myself! I have plans to make to make the top version, too. Very flattering!

  • Kathy Lamarr
    Posted at 14:03h, 12 January Reply

    I love it and it looks great on you!

  • Jan
    Posted at 07:40h, 13 January Reply

    You look just fine! The dress is beautiful and your beauty shines through! Far too much emphasis is put on weight these days. Be happy you are well and so talented!

  • Linda Berube
    Posted at 21:10h, 13 January Reply

    Hi Sarah! Love the dress and you look as gorgeous as ever! I never would have guessed the extra pounds, but being just over 5’1″ myself, I understand how troublesome just a few pounds on a small frame can be! I’ve got quite a dilemma! I spent much of last summer making a mother of the groom dress for my son’s wedding in September and had actually lost close to ten pounds for the event. With the dress 90% completed and the seamless guipure overlay fitting like a glove, the wedding was postponed due to Covid and may not happen until Spring 2022. Now I have to keep the weight off until then! So far, I’m not doing too well at that, but I’m heartened to know I’m not alone!

  • Barbara B
    Posted at 22:43h, 14 January Reply

    I so appreciate your transparency Sarah. I am struggling with the 8 extra pounds that I have picked up in the last 6-8 months. In these situations I have found that it is really helpful to avoid wearing clothes that feel as if they are condemning me while I’m trying to right myself. Your look lovely and at ease in your new dress.
    When this madness is over, I hope there will be a sort of clothing renaissance and we will all be looking better than ever!

  • Pamela
    Posted at 19:04h, 24 January Reply

    I love this on you, just darling. I’m hiding my extra pounds with two jumpers, one flannel and one in wool. Also since we stay at home even watching church on tv my wardrobe isn’t working at all so I look forward to your more casual outfits up.

  • Becky Welch
    Posted at 20:42h, 05 February Reply

    Love the way this came out! I have this pattern and seeing your version made me think of the most perfect fabric in my stash to make it. I’ll cut it tomorrow!

  • Linda Ryan
    Posted at 15:56h, 06 February Reply

    Extremely adorable dress! Love it!

  • CAROL.
    Posted at 12:10h, 16 February Reply

    I am inspired by your commitment for sewing clothing. I am also sewing my wardrobe, after reading your blog some years ago.

  • Vickie Townsend
    Posted at 21:59h, 26 March Reply

    Hello Sara: Just hoping you and yours are OK after all this time. We miss you.

  • Pat Spurza
    Posted at 11:32h, 30 March Reply

    Miss your posts Hope you are well

  • Anita Archer
    Posted at 10:49h, 02 April Reply

    Miss you lots! Hope everything is well for you!

  • Mary Fore
    Posted at 10:04h, 07 April Reply

    I am subscribed but no longer receive the emails of the blog. Please fix.

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