Burda Style 6460 Blouse with Bow

Fabric is Liberty of London that I picked up at an estate sale in Kenilworth last summer. It is a cotton/wool blend 82%/18% and is hand wash only. The tag said there was 2 2/3 yd, but it was only 36" wide and there was no way to get sleeves cut. I ended up making a sleeveless version.
I cut a size 18 and graded out to 20 at the hips. Two inches were added to the length Next time, I could take some in through the lower back. The pattern is Burda Style 54600 view A and I think I picked it up at Joann Fabrics.

Buttons are a perfect color match

The buttons are from an antique store located in southern Illinois. I picked them up on the way to sewing machine repair camp in Missouri last summer.
There are no construction photos of this shirt, but I do remember having fun putting this shirt together and I don't remember any problems.

Added sweater with sleeves for work

I got to wear the shirt to work once before social distancing started and now it has been hanging in my closet for over a month. These pictures were taken after a couple cloudy and rainy days. It was wonderful to see the sun, but I found myself squinting in the brightness.

Enjoying the sun

I think I'd lengthen the tie a few inches next time

Added length means I will usually wear the shirt untucked

Had to practice tying a good bow

 

I have always enjoyed a paisley pattern

Butterfly Dress, Burda Style 6521

Beautiful butterflies

I loved this fabric as soon as I saw it. It was on the sale rack at Joann's and I took home all that they had left. It is a quilting cotton, but I was planning to use it for a summer dress. The colors are not overly bright though and could easily work into my early fall wardrobe if I wear a cardigan over the dress. This pattern was my first from Burda Style and it recommends using rayon, crepe fabrics, lightweight cottons, or silk. I chose to make view A (no sleeves and a pleated skirt) and cut a size 16.  I did one muslin for the top of this dress, but didn't end up making any changes to the fit.

Muslin front

Muslin back

When sewing the dress together, I used french seams. The fabric has a light colored background and I thought I may have to go back and line it, but it is turned out to not be see-through.

Side seam

The armhole was finished with bias strip and then top-stitched.

Finishing the armhole

There was a lot of fabric used for the skirt and I love the pleats in the back and the front. It took awhile to put these in, but they were marked well and went together smoothly. The zipper was basted in by hand with the hopes that it would be truly hidden. Basting is an extra step, but I find it really does improve the look of my finished zippers.

Lainie helped me baste in the back zipper

The zipper is hidden well even if the fabric pattern doesn't line up

I did not make make a neckband for the muslin, so I was hoping this would work on the first try. When cutting out the neckband I tried to place butterflies strategically for the front. You can see almost two full butterflies at the neckline.

Adding the neckband

Neckband from back

Neckband turned under and finished by hand

The hem on this dress was also finished by hand.  I could have used the machine for this, but I was on a roll with the hand sewing.

Lainie is back to help with the hem

Here is the finished dress.

A butterfly dress for any occasion

The fit at the top looks great

Plenty of room across shoulders and in armscye

Pleats in the bodice 

After lengthening the torso, I would definitely make this dress again.  There is also a version with short sleeves that looks promising. The sleeveless version here does require strategic placement of bra straps or perhaps a strapless bra.