Pattern Review: Butterick 6211
FULL DISCLOSURE: I made a peplum top (just shortened the skirt to 6.5 inches long) to look like a banana. No joke. A banana. Yes, I am okay, no I don’t have 6 other fruits lined up (okay I lied, I’ve already done peach and strawberry–blueberry, orange, and lemon are next).
Pattern Description:
Pullover, front wrap dress (fitted through bust) has bodice back extending to side-front, skirt cut on crosswise grain, no side seams on bodice or skirt, concealed elastic with hook & eye closure, front button and hook & eye closing, narrow hem, and self-belt. Topstitching. Note: No provisions provided for above waist adjustment. Circa 1953
Were the instructions easy to follow?
As annoying as they were, yes, they were easy to follow. I think my real issue is with the construction (outlined below what I disliked) and that’s why I found them to be annoying.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
There is no provision for understitching. None. It’s a serious error on the pattern makers part, this of all things should have understitching for the front to prevent roll. AND the front ‘spikes’ on the bodice are not interfaced, leaving the buttonholes and ‘spikes’ floppy and flimsy. I should have known better before putting this together.
Fabric Used:
All fabric was from stash: Both the yellow outer bodice and wheat color facing were from a Charmander cosplay in 2018 (.5 yard each). The yellow cotton lining was from mask making in early 2020 (.5 yard). And the white was an error in ordering (just plain got poly poplin instead of cotton poplin like I intended) back in late 2021 (.5 yard).
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made no alterations, and the bust point is a bit high on me. (I’m 5’9″ for reference)
Oh! I did change the hook and eye with elastic closure of the bodice to a simple tie back. I took a pic of that, much simpler and more solid.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Probably not, this thing is a fabric HOG. And I’d have to do some serious jiggering of the bodice to get it to lay just right. For what I was going for, this was great and I couldn’t have asked for better right out of the gate.
Conclusion:
To look like a banana, it was a success. To wear as a garment for everyday, maybe not quite my style. It needs significant changes to the pattern instructions and pattern pieces to provide for understitching and proper interfacing.
