Spring is almost here, and that means it’s time to introduce you to our new season of Lisette for Butterick patterns.
I’ll start today with my favorite, Lisette B6561. This is one I had been contemplating for a while before I finally sat down and designed it, and I’m really pleased that we were able to include two very different styles in one envelope. I think it gives you lots of options.
View A, the blue lace top, has an empire yoke with full gathered body and sleeves. I knew right away that we needed to use lace for this one. Isn’t it pretty? It’s really easy to sew, too. I’ll show you one I made for myself shortly.
View B is the one I’m really in love with, however. That fabric! This one has French darts and cute ties at the sleeves.
Both views have a simple button-loop closure at the back neck.
Need some fabric and styling ideas? Don’t worry, I’ve been collecting them for you.
One of the things I like about this pattern is that you can take it so many directions, depending on your personal style and preferences. I love the feminine lace option, but I also like that cool Parisian Isabel Marant-type style, too. Maybe instead of lace you’d like to play with applying ribbons to get a little more of that boho feeling.
For those of you who prefer View B, this one is all about the sleeves, of course. Try using lace for the full ruffled sleeve, or maybe try a border print at the hem of the sleeve. Somehow this style just begs for silk satin, in my opinion, but it will work with many other drapey fabrics as well.
You can see all these ideas and more in my Lisette for Butterick B6561 Pinterest board. Be sure to tag your creations #sewlisette and #B6561 so we can see what you’ve made with this pattern.
This style will be available soon everywhere that Butterick patterns are sold.
Did you know that pattern numbers get recycled? Once a pattern goes out of print for a period of time, the pattern number itself is re-issued with a new style. Which is why, when I first searched for my newest Lisette pattern which has just be released, Lisette for Butterick B6526, I came up with this.
But no, I’m not designing choir robes. Although I’m sure there is a need for them! (Or was, at least, since now it’s out of print….)
Here is the real pattern I want to introduce to you. It’s part of Butterick’s Winter 2017 collection, and I was definitely thinking cozy chic for this design.
First, the top. This one is an easy-to-wear and incredibly easy-to-sew knit pullover. I like the crossover styling, which is cozy and casual. This is a fitted style, but I plan to sew it a bit oversized because I think it will also be a great layering piece. (I think it could be cute worn over the Liesl + Co. Classic Shirt, for example, more like a cardigan worn over a shirt. I’ll show you what I mean soon.)
The trousers have a front zipper (if you want to add a fly shield you can always refer to the zipper fly tutorial on our Oliver + S website), and side panel instead of a side seam. I think the side panel gives you a sleeker look and allows for fun color blocking, too. These are cut slim but not skinny and include on-seam front and back pockets, a back yoke (because a yoke seam almost always makes your butt look better, in my opinion, and it eliminates the need for darts). The design also includes a waistband with belt loops so that the trousers can be worn with all sorts of tops, including the kind you tuck in. In my opinion clothing is always better when it can be worn many different ways.
Here’s the back view. I think it’s nice to have a little more back coverage sometimes, don’t you? If you prefer this style a little shorter, the Butterick patterns always include a lengthen and shorten line, so never fear.
You can find some inspiration and ideas for this pattern over in my Lisette B6526 Pinterest board.
Fabric Suggestions
One of the challenging things about designing for, and sewing with, knits is that there is such a wide variety of knit fabric out there, and each one will have a different hand, weight, and amount of stretch. Your fabric choices are going to heavily influence the look you get when you sew this top pattern, for sure.
I was thinking about sweater knits when I designed this top, and they will give the pattern more of a relaxed look. But you could also use jersey, French terry, sweatshirt fleece, and maybe even polar fleece if you’re so inclined. Watch the hand of the fabric. A stiffer knit will look more like the photos with the model, while a soft knit will look more casual.
The trousers will be easiest to sew and to fit if you choose a woven fabric with some stretch, but you know that won’t stop me when it comes to trying other fabrics like jacquards, printed satin and sateen, and maybe a tartan plaid. More obvious fabrics would be stretch twill or denim, which will also help with getting a good fit more easily. But what about faux leather? You could even use the seams to narrow the legs a bit if you prefer more of a cigarette pant. Most faux leather has a decent amount of stretch, so don’t rule it out! For the holidays, if you hurry, you could also sew them in a pretty silk satin for something both dressy and understated.
Show us Yours!
I can’t wait to see how you sew these two pieces. You can pick up the pattern itself right here, and once you’ve sewn it be sure to tag us #sewlisette and #B6526 on Instagram and add your photo to the Lisette Flickr group so we can see what you’ve made!
I’m happy to introduce the second of my new Lisette designs for the Fall 2017 Butterick catalog. Lisette for Butterick B6493 is a classic pencil skirt with a twist and a fun little blazer to wear with it. Both of these pieces will work well as additions to your core wardrobe, too!
Let’s talk about the jacket first, shall we? This is a raglan sleeve jacket with princess seams which are always easiest to fit, especially if you’re full-busted. And to make it even easier, we added cup sizes for this pattern, so the full bust adjustment work has already been done for you.
This pattern is fully lined and on the fitted side, so if you’re a fan of the shrunken blazer I think you’ll really like this style. It’s classic but not boring. And much easier to sew, too! The sleeve hem of the sleeve on this pattern has a fun little curve detail to let you show off a watch or bracelet underneath. And to make it really easy to sew, this jacket has no buttonholes–just a button loop closure. (But of course you can easily add a buttonhole or two if you want.) I particularly like the neckline on this one because it frames your face and collarbone so nicely. It’s a bit raised instead of a flat V-neck so it really looks elegant. (And it would look great with a necklace, too!)
The pencil skirt has a cute little curved overlap detail at the front hem that coordinates with the curve detail on the jacket sleeve. It also features a waist yoke, an invisible side zipper, and front and back princess seams. So again, this skirt is easy to fit to your body. I’m a big fan of the princess-seam skirt, and I think this one will be a lot of fun to sew and to wear. (Sorry about the matching top. I know it looks looks a bit like a dress in this photo, which is rather confusing.)
For both of these pieces I think you could choose solid or patterned fabrics. I chose a silk tweed for the jacket because I love the texture of all those different-colored yarns, but it will look more classic in a solid wool gabardine. Or go the opposite direction and use a brocade or jacquard for the jacket instead of the skirt. You could also sew both pieces from the same fabric if you want to have a suit.
What fabrics would you choose for these styles? You can find the pattern for B6493 right here. I hope you’ll show us how it turns out! Post it to our Lisette Flickr group or use these hashtags on Instagram: #sewlisette #B6493. And don’t forget you that can find lots more inspiration on the B6493 Pinterest board as well. I’ll keep adding to it as I see more things that I think will inspire you.
I’m excited to introduce you to our two new Lisette styles for the Butterick Fall 2017 collection.
Our first new style this season is Lisette for Butterick B6482. I love this silhouette and, as it turns out, this generally covered-up style has been predicted by the New York Times to be the defining silhouette of this decade. (Which is such a relief after a few years of nearly naked red-carpet looks….)
Here’s what I like about this style: a little sleeve interest! (You know my thing with sleeves these days.) This raglan sleeve has a shoulder pleat to add volume, which I think is a lot of fun.
It also has a defined waist just for those of you who don’t like “shapeless” fashions, a blouson-style top (no darts, although you could easily pinch out a dart if you want less fullness at the waist) that will be easier for fitting those of us who need a different size top and bottom. Plus topstitching (or the option to topstitch) to add a sportswear detail to the dress. I kind of love that inverted box pleat at the skirt’s center front, too, because it matches the pleat on the sleeves. And you can choose whether to include the little collar (View B) or not (View A). I’m a collar girl, personally.
So what about fabrics? I don’t have time this week to do my usual post with lots of fabric suggestions, but watch for linens (you know I love Gray Lines Linen for their many colors and weights), denim and chambray (always Robert Kaufman, my friends who make so many great options, especially the linen/cotton denim that I absolutely adore!), and even lightweight ponte, which I really want to try. Personally I’m leaning toward a lightweight dove-colored wool suiting fabric for this style.
Which fabric would you choose for this dress? You can find the pattern for B6482 right here. I hope you’ll show us how it turns out! Post it to our Lisette Flickr group or use these hashtags on Instagram: #sewlisette #B6482. And don’t forget you can find lots more inspiration on the B6482 Pinterest board as well. I’ll keep adding to it as I see more things that I think will inspire you.
To follow up on my post from last week, I’m back on the Oliver + S blog today with another post on the Lisette B6464 pattern.
In this post, I’m sharing three versions of the B6464 top that I have made for myself this summer.
If you’re larger than a B cup, you’ll want to do a bust adjustment on this pattern before you sew it. But don’t worry! In this new post I show you just how easy it is, and I walk you through it step-by-step.
Today on the Oliver + S blog, I’m sharing a couple things I’ve made recently–two jackets from the Lisette B6464 pattern.
You can visit the Oliver + S blog today for a little B6464 inspiration!
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