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At long last, summer is here for real and I’ve got loads of pictures of my Alexander Henry La Paloma Butterick B5948 top. I sewed up one before here in lilac linen. My husband loves this fabric. I have been trying to get him to choose a fabric for a shirt but so far he has vetoed everything I have placed in front of him.  This he was like: I wouldn’t mind a shirt in this fabric. And when he was taking pictures he was swooning over the birds. Lols. Nice that it meets his approval! (update – I sewed a shirt for him in this same fabric using McCalls M6044 men’s shirt sewing pattern ) Sewing details include mock French seams all around. It took longer to make up because of how time-consuming mock French seams are to sew. Otherwise, this could be a one-sitting make and is a likely candidate for an instant sewing gratification project.

Jump to Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review

Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review - DIY Sewing
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review -Paired with a ponte roma Colette Mabel Skirt
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review - Back view
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review – Back could use a swayback adjustment

Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review - Summer Sewing Ideas
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review –

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Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review - perfect summer sewing DIY project.
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review – made in Alexander Henry La Paloma Fabric
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review - armhole and neckline finishing.
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review –

I used red bias binding to finish the armholes and neck. This is fast becoming a favourite technique for me.

There is some wonkiness – I cut out while watching TV and somehow this happened. Didn’t even realise till sewing up. Because I cut it single layer I had to flip the pattern piece so when I flipped the back I must have shifted it… grrrrr. So it had to be patched with a scrap. But I like to think  it kinda looks design element-y don’t you think? If anybody notices I will <haughtily> say “Its my signature dahlin.”

Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review -  sewing mistakes fixed
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review – the reason why you should not cut out while watching TV!
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review - when sewing goes wrong
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review – the patch job I did on the side.
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review -  Simple Sewing Project
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review – I like the little side vent.
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review -  - Boat neckline details
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review – Boat neckline details.


There is still a bit of swayback but I really really like this top. It is perfect for summer sunny days like we had this weekend. I have been wearing it with jeans and my Colette Patterns Mabel mini skirt. I feel fabulous in it – the power of a simple top plus gorgeous print = Happy Hila! I shan’t be making another one till next year though – getting loads of wear out of this one :-). The swayback will have to wait until then.

Butterick 5948 Top Review

Pattern Description

Loose-fitting, pullover top has stitched hems. B,D: side slits. C,D,E,F: dropped shoulders. C,D: back neck slit with button/loop. C,F: above elbow sleeves. E: long sleeves, rolled-up (wrong side shows). E,F: pocket.

Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review -
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review – Line Drawing

Pattern Sizing

8-18. I sewed size 10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes


Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I wanted a basic shell top sewing pattern to fit 1 meter yardage of nice fabric and this fits the bill perfectly!


Fabric Used

This fabric is a gorgeous medium-weight quilting cotton with a good drape and handle. It’s Alexander Henry’s La Paloma in Multi from their Folklorico collection. At only 110cm (44 inches) wide it’s quite narrow. However, I really wanted it after I first saw this fabric on  Instagram. The colours are beautiful jewel tones that so far haven’t faded after several washes.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made

None.

Would you sew it again?

Yes

Would you recommend it to others?

Yes


Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review -  Easy sewing project
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review –

In other news the camera is back from the fixing place so I can finally get the completed project pictures. Yay! This means there will be a lot of posts over the coming week as I frantically try to blog all my summer makes before the seasons start to shift gears ðŸ™‚ Happy Days!

Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review -
Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review – a lovely summer top.

As always thanks for stopping my little corner of the interwebs and happy sewing everyone!

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Butterick B5948 Sewing Pattern Review - saturday night stitch - a UK sewing blog