Butterick 5497 so comfy!

on January 23, 2012 by Chanteuse Designs Sewing Leave a comment

Butterick 5497

I had to get over my fear of knits and picked up some knit fabric at a garage sale (of all places) and thought it the perfect opportunity to crank out some fun tops. My goal this year is to start making ……most…..of my clothes. Yeah, what am I thinking?? Well, I’m thinking my clothes will be more comfy, last longer than three washings, better fitted (and looking me thinks) and walkin my talkin! If you know what I mean.

B5497

This pattern is very easy. Even if you are terrified of knits like I …was. Getting that ball point needle (or jersey needle) is a plus. Having a serger is yet another plus. And I don’t think I would work with knits without one. Really the serger is an ideal knit friend.

Butterick 5497

When sewing straight seems I still didn’t like that I could see the wobbly threads if I pulled the fabric ever so slightly but it did get better. Also, if you pull the fabric as you sew it on the sewing machine, your 5/8″ seam will be more than a 5/8″ seam when you release. So I sewed the straight seams ever slightly smaller than a 5/8″ seam so that when the fabric was not pulled and laid flat, the seam was then 5/8″. Making sense? If not, sew a few on some sample fabric and get the hang of it.

Butterick 5497 work

Rule number one: Do measure yourself and the places on the patterns where you are to make adjustments so that the hips, bust, and necklines line up on you perfectly. You will not be disappointed taking the small amount of time in doing this. (Forgive if I am preaching to the choir here)

Back 5497

Rule number two: Serge all sides of all pieces. This should work for most pattern pieces unless you know you’re going to be trimming something down. Which I thought I would serge both seams later……so better to have them done just like I read to do!

This is one comfortable little top. Shouldn’t take you more than about 4-5 hours start to finish. I didn’t exactly time myself, and it took about three months since I had cut it out, moved the studio, FOUND this pattern again and finished it up. Will time better this year so that we all have an idea on time frames for garments. Whew.