Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Oscar de la Renta Meets Butterick 5558 Wing Collar Dress

B5558 Thumbnail

About a year ago this Oscar de la Renta boucle jacquard dress, which was $1890 at Saks (it's sold out, but for the moment is still on the website if you'd like to zoom into the details), caught my eye.   The fabric content of the original is poly/acrylic/polyamide, with a silk lining.  I looked forever for the perfect fabric.  It's tough to find a boucle that is lightweight enough to be pleated, so in the end I went a different direction with the fabric.

My starting point for this was Butterick 5558, which has the perfect collar/neckline and the empire waist.  This pattern has only two reviews, which surprises me as I think it is rather cute and purchased it before I ran across the inspiration piece.  Having made it, I am impressed with the drafting of the collar/neckline and recommend it.

Front Bodice with Original
B5558 is drafted with a peaked center front skirt, while the inspiration's bodice is straight across.  I prefer the straight across look.  The bust shaping as drafted comes from gathers; the inspiration has a dart.  Luckily, B5558 comes with a nicely drafted facing/lining for the bodice, and the lining has darts rather than gathers.  Two darts is too much for my bust, so I eliminated one of them, folding out the extra width (and did the same on the lining).

After a couple of hours of tedious re-drafting, I ended up with a front bodice that cuts straight across and has a dart.

The inspiration piece has pleating in the front skirt, but not with the volume and style as in B5558.  The back skirt of the inspiration is plain, though it has interesting seaming with the empire waist, a panel that goes to a little below natural waist, and the skirt below.  I don't understand the panel and did not copy it.   I would normally consider the plain back skirt a cheap coffin (lack of) detail, but here it seemed more sophisticated than a pleated back skirt.  Luckily, with that well-drafted B5558 lining were skirt front and back pieces with only a set of darts (rather than the voluminous pleats) and cut in an A line.

Oscar de la Renta - Bouclé Jacquard Dress - Saks.com-1

After the pattern was complete, I went to look at the inspiration piece again.  This time I noticed the curved seam detail on the skirt, which opens into the pocket.  B5558 actually has pockets, but they are standard side seam pockets.  Back to the drawing board, literally!

On the original, the curved princess piece has gathering into a single-welt-looking banded pocket.  However, with my rather stiff fabric I needed to avoid gathers.



Front Skirt Pattern











Using the pieces from my Burda 10-2007-119 seamed frilled coat as a guide, I drafted a curved princess seam onto the skirt front lining pattern.  The side front has an integrated pocket piece, and a separate pocket is sewn on to the skirt front.

Sewing Skirt Side Front Seam




I was actually a little puzzled about how to sew this, even though I'd done it for my coat.  It was so long ago that I couldn't remember. Then when I was in Savasana (I'm not a very quiet-minded yogi) it came to me that it's sewn exactly like a side seam pocket, except even easier because you don't have to clip into the back's seam allowance.  First sew the separate pocket piece onto the center front (here I used the "right" shiny side as the right side of the pocket to make the pocket a little easier to slip my ID badge in and out of).  Press the pocket outward.  Then lay the side front piece over the front, right sides together.  Easy.   The seam allowances are pressed toward the front together.  I may use this detail again in the future, as it is sneakily easy.



Pocket Closeup





To have room for the front pleats, I placed the "cut on fold" line of the front skirt (lining) piece 6 inches from the fold of the fabric.  When I was putting together the dress, I was annoyed with myself that I didn't think to line up the curved side/pocket seam with the bodice dart.  But then I had the idea to line up the outermost pleat with the bodice dart and all was well.

 The lining I placed 3 inches from the "cut on fold" line so as to ensure biking room; I did a single box pleat at CF on the lining.







The skirt as drafted is so short!  I lengthened it an inch in cutting, and ended up doing a serger rolled hem so I didn't lose any length.  It's just about right--with zero hem allowance taken up.  And, people, remember that I am 5'1"!  If I made this again, I'd add 2 1/2 inches to the skirt for adequate length and hem allowance.

Raised Neckline 3/4 Inch
Collar Closeup























In addition to the short skirt, the bodice is very low cut.  Butterick is getting sassy in its old age, apparently.  The tailor's tack shows the original depth of the V opening; you can see on me that my 3/4" did not raise it to any kind of prudish level.  Someone with an actual bust would have to raise it significantly more.

The pattern comes in sizes 6-20.  I cut my usual 6 at the shoulders and bust.  It was the right size for the shoulders, but I could have used an 8 at the bust and an 8/10 at the ribcage(!).  The size issue is almost certainly due to my extensive redrafting of the bodice, though I would guess that this pattern does not suffer from the usual Big 4 Ease of Doom.  (The extensive bust gathering will give a small bust Empty Sack Syndrome, however.)

Despite my Broad Back Adjustment, I do not have a ton of arm movement.  The shoulder is more or less where it's supposed to be, though I could shave a little bit off the front armscye.  I think it just needed more than an inch of BBA, which is kind of ridiculous.  Again, this might have to do with my front bodice redrafting/SBAing, but the side seam sits pretty much exactly on my side so I'm not totallyconvinced.

Shoulder/Back Neckline Intersection

Once the pattern was finally complete, which took probably 4 hours over several days, cutting and sewing were almost anti-climactically easy.  The instructions for the bodice are good, though they don't tell you which way to press seams, which annoys me.  All the seams I needed to know about were shown in later line drawings pressed, but it would have been nice just to have it spelled out (in case you're wondering, the shoulder is pressed open, but the back neck seam it continues onto is press down, so you need to clip the seam allowance).

The bodice front is cut with the integrated wing collar extending into back standing collar, so you need to accurately mark everything to line up the inner shoulder/neckline intersection.  I used tailor's tacks.

Zipper Outside



To get a neat finish at the back neckline and avoid having the zipper go over a seam bump unnecessarily, I used the same technique as in Simplicity 2337 and stitched the center back seam closed from the top to about 2 inches below the collar seamline, and installed the zipper below that.  The dress is a little hard to get in and out of because the empire seam catches on the bust when I lift my arms up and over to zip/unzip from the top.  But that doesn't have to do with having the neckline closed at the top.



Source: lyst.com via Trena on Pinterest









The fabric is a Maggy London brocade still available from Fabric Mart, though somehow I got it for $3.50/yd and it's now listed at $9.99.  The fiber content is no longer listed on the website, oddly; it's wool blend.  My guess is 30% wool, 60% rayon, 10% poly, but that is a total guess based on a burn test.  It's a really nice quality, presses very well, and can take heat.  I couldn't find a Maggy London piece made with this fabric. This Suzi Chin For Maggy Boutique Cap Sleeve Brocade Fit Flare Dress in Purple for $141 was the closest I could come; it's an acetate, though, so I think the wool blend probably comes from a more expensive line.

Side









I actually used the "wrong" matte side of the fabric.  I prefer my clothes to be work-appropriate.  I just don't need fancy party clothes.


Alas, the finished dress definitely has a fancy party air because the skirt bells out in the rather stiff fabric.  But I'll still wear it to the office because, hey, I am a fancy lady.






Sleeve Hand Hem




Even as I was setting in the sleeves (I used my generic woven sleeve pattern, derived from Burda; I measured the sleeve cap and armscye of the Butterick to make sure they'd work together), I was uncertain whether I should just make this a long sleeve dress, rather than copying the original.  I decided that with the short sleeve it is a Fall, most of Winter, and early Spring dress and I would only not be able to wear it on the very coldest of winter days.

I turned up the sleeve hems, catching the sleeve lining, and then hand-stitched the hem to the lining only for an invisible look.

Front

Now that they are in, I find the longer almost elbow-length sleeve surprisingly flattering.

This was a fun project, and the end result is an adorable dress, even if too fancy.  I will enjoy wearing it!

All photos are here and the pattern review is here.  I entered it in the RTW/Designer Knockoff contest on Pattern Review.

===============

Thank you, by the way, for the advice on returning fabric to Fabric Mart.  I returned the two knits that were just the wrong colors for me and the overly metallic-ed linen.  Two weeks after I returned it I still hadn't gotten a credit or heard anything so I contacted FM.  I thought I had lost the tracking number from USPS for the package.  They still said they'd process the return.  I later found the receipt with the tracking number and sent it to them.  I have no idea if it arrived, but hopefully they believe me that I actually physically returned the fabric and was not scamming them.

Although it was only 3 fabrics of the *ahem* many I have purchased recently, I feel so relieved!  Everything else I love and have immediate plans for.  These would have languished in stash, making me feel guilty and annoyed.


53 comments:

Miss Tessa Melissa said...

You look great, and I love the way the pockets turned out! A friend of mine the other day said that we should change "wrong side" to "other side" because there have been so many great things made with the other side as well as the right side.

Kathy {Kathy Sews} said...

This a such a fantastic dress. I like that you use the wrong side of the fabric... I've done this before as well and feel like I'm doing something wrong and oh so naughty! And I must say, you look even better in this garment then the model. I will definitely be voting for your dress in the RTW contest.

Virginia at A Sewing Life said...

Whoa, fancy lady! So cute and a dead ringer for the inspiration dress ('cept for the different fabric, of course). Impressed at your dedication to getting the pockets just perfect. The collar is wonderful. Another winner for you.

I also like your shoes and tights (even though you do have a bit of heel height going on!).

Unknown said...

I love what you've done with this dress! I've been following it since you pinned it to your Pinterest board. I think I need to copy your copy. :)

Pam said...

Great job! I actually like yours much more than the original, to tell you the truth!! I love it!

Isidore said...

Lovely dress, very flattering. If you're still looking for a sparkly khaki, I saw "CJD6551 Shimmer Stretch Twill - Soft Olive" in the julie's picks mailer for February and thought of you. I'd say it's more of a khaki with greenish undertones than olive like the title says.

Stitchinscience said...

You look fantastic inthat dress. I wish i had your patience to do those pattern adjustments.

Beth (SunnyGal Studio) said...

WOW I love this one you. you may know I am a fan of the fitted and tailored styles and this suits you so well. Great shape, love the sleeves, very sophisticated. I think this might be my favorite of all your creations. don't you love it when fabric choice + dress style make magic!

ConnieBJ said...

Oh I love it! The close nod to the original is wonderful without seeming too perfect. Your attention to detail is great! I know what you mean about the sleeve detail. I am working on a dress right now and am humming and hawing over the sleeve length!

Texas Urban said...

You are truly a "Fancy Lady" and entertaining as well. Beautiful, very becoming dress. Great job, as always.

Ms. McCall said...

Love the neckline, the collar says business but the skirt is really playful. I know you said you don't need party clothes, but I think this dress would work really well at a wedding or similar event.

Uta said...

That's a great knockoff, and very pretty pictures! I like your fabric a lot better than the original.

Clio said...

You definitely improved the pattern and the inspiration dress IMHO! It's beautiful.

Little Hunting Creek said...

What a beautiful dress! I like your better than Oscar's.

Suzanne said...

So lovely! Post the link to vote when it's time. Your dress is fab!

soisewedthis said...

oh your dress is spot on! love it!

Far said...

A great dress, and look lovely on you! And thanks for the.construction infos you shared.

Nancy K said...

It's a great dress on you and a perfect entry for the RTW contest.Good luck!

niddetissus said...

You look beautiful and classy - that is some amazing sewing!

Fiona said...

Lovely, lovely dress!

T. Sedai said...

Love this dress! The style, fabric, color - all of them are perfection! It does a great job of looking like the inspiration dress, but I like the fabric of your version better.

Kelly said...

I love this dress, even more than the original! It's a perfect blend of professional and party.

Adelaide B said...

This turned out really well and looks great on. (I have several projects that are wonderfully sewn, but look like crap on the body. Sigh.) It's nice when everything comes together, and looks as good as this dress.

Karin said...

This is a very flattering dress on you! It looks so nice, that I want one too; except I don't want to do all the work, lol.
The fabric is a little formal, but the cut of the dress is conservative enough that I think it's ok for the office. It's unique, but still has a classic vibe. You could wear it almost anywhere.
I think you must be a strong contender in the PR contest.

Vicki said...

Lovely dress. Very much like the inspiration piece.

kbenco said...

The inspiration dress has some really nice details, but your dress is much more appealing. The fancy fabric is still conservative enough for the office IMO, but you could make it look really fancy for more fun occasions because it is not a plain old grey/black boucle. I love your pocket and back zip details, very sophisticated. I really wish I had not just bought no Butterick patterns in the BMV sale, sigh.

liza jane said...

I really like the way the skirt bells out. It's very flattering. I'm also a huge fan of elbow length sleeves. I find that I change a lot of sleeve patterns to be that length. Very pretty dress!

Paola said...

That is a lovely dress. I really appreciate the construction detail you go into with your posts, I always learn something.
As for the original dress, for $1890 I would expect the dress to be made entirely from silk, no? Or am I living in la-la land?
Good luck with the constest.

THM said...

My sewing teacher always told me to press seams "down and out". Maybe this could help you too!

Faye Lewis said...

You did a wonderful job - looks just like your inspiration picture.

velosews said...

I love the crispness of your dress against the original. The collar is very flattering as are the pleats, and the finishing.
Ok - the whole dress is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Hi there I do love this, the colour of the fabric, the weight of the fabric works well and glad that you always take the time to give the deets on how to make the pattern work, I am thinking about the pockets and the shaping of them, this is helping me for other projects - thanks again - Sally Sewista

Coco said...

Your dress is just lovely. I enjoyed the story of how you made it, the result looks better than the RTW!

mitch1066 said...

oooh Thanks or sharing your thought process for this one.I too love the fact that you used the "wrong" side of the fabric :)

Gabrielle said...

Wow, I just love your dress. It looks amazing on you, well done with all your modifications to the original pattern!

MushyWear said...

What a beautiful dress. The fit looks amazing and the color is so pretty. You did a fantastic job coming up with your own version of the original. Good luck in the contest!

Unknown said...

The original reminds me a lot of Simplicity 1800. I haven't found the right print to try it with yet but I'm dying to try it. I think it will end up being a dress that far exceeds its envelope. The pockets just pulled me in!

The love your fabric too, plum is such a nice shade.

mimi jackson said...

Ah-Dor-Ah-BLE! 'Nuff said...

Ola said...

You look wonderful in that dress! Great Job!

kathy said...

what a great inspiration. This dress turned out really flattering on you.

Loretta said...

I love it, what a wonderful dress, and it looks great on you. You are so talented. I love your blog, very inspirational and fun.

Chris Lucas said...

You've done a great job with this project and your dress has turned out gorgeous! Love the fabric :)

annek said...

Beautiful make. And such skill in your adapytations. I'll very happily vote for you.
PS: When do we hear about your paper tape dress form?

Audrey said...

Your dress looks exactly like the inspiration dress, but in a differnt fabric. Really cute, flattering and feminine. It took quite a bit of pattern redrafting from the sounds of it. How cool that you were able to use lining patterns for parts of this dress. I have this dress pattern. I love the neckline, but thought the under bust gathers might look a bit young on me. I really love your version

Dilly said...

What a lovely dress! The fabric is gorgeous and works very well for the dress - and looks wonderful on you too.

AllisonC said...

You look amazing in this dress, it really is an elegant shape and the fabric is perfect for it.

Trumbelina said...

I think this may be my favourite thing you have ever made. It looks fantastic. You look fantastic! I have also admired your base pattern, but denied myself another dress pattern that I would never end up wearing/making. I'm glad I can live vicariously through you!

Lynneb said...

Absolutely adored this RTW entry. I love the story of construction you tell, and it's a fabulous, fabulous dress. You certainly got my vote!

Nikki said...

Very cute and elegant. The fabric us lovely. I love it. You must have infinite patience for all those pattern adjustments.

Joy said...

This is really adorable. Nice work on figuring out the details - it's looks like an exact copy in a different fabric.

neighbourhood.gal said...

Terribly Awesome! Makes me think I might want to pick up this pattern...

Aline said...

I absolutely love it. Great use of the patterns - I might borrow your idea of the changed pleats and the pockets on the Butterick pattern (that I have in my stash). Thanks! I think you did a great job and the dress looks wonderful on you.

Sarah said...

Thank you thank you thank you thank you for this post. I have spent the last 4 days looking through my patterns, drafting uselessly, searching the Internet for exactly such a collar. I love the zipper stopping below the collar. I've downloaded the pattern you used and will get to work immediately. I just wanna say that I was near tears with frustration before I found your post.