Butterick, don’t think that we are besties yet- you are still on courtesy privilege in my book- strictly retro releases (love you) and already-owned-didn’t-know-any-better patterns. 
Remember my debate about girding my dainty loins in 14 yards of heavily pleated tinfoil? My fears: 
Ok, actually that is cute- my fear was that my hips would make me look like a support beam in Todd’s Blue Zoo….I highly recommend the clam chowder.
Well, fearlessness is part of 2012’s sewing resolutions, so I hiked up my big girl panties and found a way to avoid all those pleats! Ta-da!
The Mominlaw was taking us to dinner for the birthday at a new Sushi joint in town and threatening the floor seating. I deployed the emergency modesty leggings! I won’t wear them with this usually, I swear!
Yup, I used the lining pieces for the skirt and skipped that accordion minefield as God Intended!
I’m very pleased with the end result- I really put too much stress into this- once I saw a solution, it was like it was just supposed to be. I may make this again- Do you hear me, Butterick? You live another day, but I may kill you in the morning, as per our standard agreement.
So the moral children? As there must be one, right?
vivacious redhead playing accordion: Good!
semi-vivacious semi-redhead wearing accordion: Bad!
So use the lining pieces and make it work! Right Tim?
photo credits: Devaniweaver on Etsy, meadhawg, pattern review, google images
Pretty Grievances 
I loved it the minute I saw it. Great choice on fabric, and as always, a perfect post.
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I really am very pleased with this one- look how well it matches the dock, too?!
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Did you hatch this dastardly plan before or after the endless cupcake discussion? Were you teasing us all along?
I love the neckline on you and the fact you made the dress ‘underwear’ your ‘outerwear’ is nothing short of the ‘rock the boat’ attitude I’ve come to expect. Looks like it was ‘meant to be’ awwww (cue: romantic music)
Rock on!
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I cut out the 90 pleat nightmare and the lining and remembered a Koos Jacket that JIlly B had made and her offhand comment that you could make it all in 1 fabric if you only used the lining and I swear, I felt like Edison! I was ready to pleat, I swear!
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The only thing that would make this better is grey leggings and a jaunty hat! You go girl….always whipping up outfits to dazzle and amaze….sushi? seating on the floor?…bring it on…you is ready for anything!
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A jaunty hat makes everything better! I was suffering some wind damage on that dock- I’d hate to lose my chapeau to the brisk Hartwell Lake!
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Sushi on the floor does require a little thought to apparel. I love the end result and it’s brilliant to just use the pieces provided.
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Oh, trust me, I am not up to major pattern conversion without a lot of assistance!
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I was a little scared – “she didn’t make that dress in effing silver did she?” But no, of course not. Far too hip to the shit hat is Butterick styling, you did it right with those awesome prints. Love the combo. Good call on the pleats. You look fab. And that accordion joke almost made me spit take.
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Silver foil oh no! I am far too reflective as it is!!
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I love these two prints together and the neckline. You’ve wowed me into looking at a pattern that didn’t appeal to me all over again. Get it gurl, you look great!
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I’d been saving that fabric for over a year- I even thought about a Ceylon for it, but I think this is best- thats a lot of prints for smaller piecing projects.
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Oooh, this looks fabulous!!! I love it!
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Thank you!!
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This is probably my favorite of your makes so far. Brilliant pairing of fabric, design, and model! 🙂
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Aw shucks- it’s the grey deck paint- it really cemented the look!
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Love it – good solution!
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Jilly B is a saint- I swear!
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Dahlink, I loove it.
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You need to send your photos to them and have them change their pattern cover – yours is so many millions of times better ^___^
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I’m thinking that someone executives child does the covers they are so ‘eh’ they must have a reason not to fire them?!
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Absolutely beautiful photos…sewing is great of course, love the pattern and again the color is great on you. If I am not mistaken, you are being transformed into Joan H. Can it be your Ms Holloway is a secret ploy to replace Annie w/Joannie??? Kudos to the photographer … he is a prize winner
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We do love some Joan over here!
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Very nice fabric combo! And I’m not sure that pleating would look good on anyone. And who the h*** wants to iron all those pleats?
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JUst marking the pleats before I got wise was making me want a nap and a valium lollipop!
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I like how you mixed two fabrics and avoided the pleats, all in one fell swoop! YAY!
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I’m trying to avoid quilty cotton but sometimes they are just soooo cute!
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That’s come out really cute. Love the collar. Well done!
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Oh, thank you,thanl you!
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Oh, that fabric is gorgeous! I love this.
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Thank you, this pattern had been haunting me for too long- I needed to exorsize it with some cotton!
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Love this! Fabric is great & that collar is really good.
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What a clever solution – yours is much more fetching than the pattern .
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Haha, you’re awesome! Love the Princess Bride reference – I’m now going to have random quotes from that movie running through my head for the rest of the morning. Hmmmm.
Vast improvement making it without the gathers. Sooo much better! (I really don’t know what Butterick are thinking of most of the time with their new patterns. *shudder*)
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Oh, you are the first person to comment on my Dread Pirate Roberts reference! I knew you had it!
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Princess Bride is awesome. In so, so many ways. Have you ever read the book the movie is based on? Even more awesomeness.
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I love William Goldman!!
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Great idea! I would NEVER have thought to use the lining pieces!
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REALLY CUTE! And that fabric! Love it! Thanks for the laugh, too, as usual 🙂
Beth
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This does too work and yes make it again. This Butterick is saved, for now perhaps. Did you do the floor seating at the restaurant in the end?
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No!!! We narrowly avoided the knee cramping, thankfully!
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Adorable!! I love it, very summery.
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Great top/tunuc/dress! Love the fabric and your mods work. Ih my gosh…i could watch Joanie play that accordian and sing for her dinner party over and over.
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After she kicked out the Greg, she should have entertained more!
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This turned out so adorably! Looks fantastic on you. Almost makes me want to buy this pattern…except that I have probably 5 dozen others (more? less?) that are waiting for my attention.
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Pattern enabling is what friends are for, right?
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Turned out so great!! Make that again and again.
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Thats fantastic! I love that you took the dress and made it into a tunic instead, and paired them with biker shorts! And the Pink and Grey colors are Fab! I love it! Its all around fantastic!
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