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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
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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.”
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.
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
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 🙂 Happy Days!
As always thanks for stopping my little corner of the interwebs and happy sewing everyone!
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jennystitched
August 23, 2015 9:35 pmLove love LOVE this!
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:36 amThank you😘!
sewloveable
August 23, 2015 10:05 pmVery nice and the fabric is bright and cheerful.
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:35 amThanks 😘.
corrineappleby
August 23, 2015 10:46 pmThat fabric is stunning! I bet it was lovely to sew too. It’s good to have a little splurge now and again!
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:35 amYes it was dream to sew with. So responsive to heat and steam😃. I sense more splurges in the future though.
lisa g
August 24, 2015 1:14 amLove that fabric! Definitely worth the splurge, especially when used in a top that will see lots of wear. Beautiful!
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:34 amThanks Lisa!
fabrickated
August 24, 2015 3:09 amIt is a great fabric and really suits you. But I think a man’s shirt in it would be amazing. Go on….
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:34 amI think I will Kate. Been looking at mens shirt patterns….
navybluethreads
August 24, 2015 6:33 amWhat a great print, can see why you were tempted! Perfect for an Indian Summer, if you dodge the storms…
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:33 amI am taking the good with the bad! 😂. 🌞☔.
AMANDA WYATT
August 24, 2015 7:20 amWhat a fabulous top it’s do worth an indulgence now &again. Totally on the button ..simple lines with awesome print
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:32 amThanks Amanda!
Thimberlina
August 24, 2015 7:39 amStunning print! It’s amazing what you can achieve with just a metre when it’s a bit pricey! Well done 😀
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:32 amYes! I need more 1 metre TNTs so I can buy luscious fabric. One day I will use the sill habotai i bought off your fave ebay seller😃
Thimberlina
August 29, 2015 6:34 amHave a look at the free dress pattern – number 8000 from lekala. You’d definitely make it from a metre – the neckline’s a but high but otherwise its a great little dress. 😃
Hila
August 29, 2015 9:26 amThanks will do! Am loving lekala patterns. I’ve started a pinterest board for ones I want to make.
JaneyB
August 24, 2015 8:24 amI love the shape of this top – that is my favourite neckline. Gorgeous fabric and I’d never have noticed the wonkiness if you hadn’t mentioned it!
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:30 amThanks Jane! I love the boat like neckline too😃
springystitches
August 24, 2015 9:54 amI loved this fabric as soon as I saw it on the GBSB! It looks lovely on you and I think it would look great as a gents shirt too!
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:29 amThanks! For a gents shirt I will need to work on pattern matching….which fills me with dread still I will try it😃
Geo P
August 24, 2015 11:14 amIt’s a gorgeous summer top, I just love the colors! I had some AH fabric in rich colors and it didn’t fade even after tons of washings, I hope yours will last too.
I think with mock french seams you wouldn’t see the right side of the fabric on the inside, your seams look turned under and stitched? I just used this finish on a dress I made recently, I was too lazy to change the thread on the overlocker.
Hila
August 24, 2015 11:27 amYes you are right aboit the seams. I went back to read what mock french seams are and i got myself mixed up. Thanks for the heads up😃. If this top holds up well then I will have good justification for paying more on quality fabric. I hate it when fabric looses is colour after a wash!
jendavismiller
August 24, 2015 3:09 pmAbsolutely gorgeous! Love the birds, the bright colors, everything. Ooooh, my skills are so minimal, the finishing is so lovely, will have to try the bias tape method, it looks really nice.
Hila
August 24, 2015 7:15 pmThis is one of my better finishes. Slowly but surely getting better is the name of the game😃
RED
August 24, 2015 5:11 pmBeautiful fabric!! It fits you really well, too. Win!
Hila
August 24, 2015 7:15 pmWhy thank you!😘
Lori
August 24, 2015 6:26 pmThis is a perfect pattern to showcase that gorgeous fabric. Nice save too!
Hila
August 24, 2015 7:14 pmThanks Lori! One of the things I love about sewing is the f- ups and how I have to fix them😃
themateriallady
August 24, 2015 8:05 pmThat is a really jolly top for a sunny day! Actually, it would cheer up a dull day provided it wasn’t too cool to wear it 😉
Hila
August 24, 2015 9:07 pmI will definitely be getting as much wear as I can out of it! Even if it mean thermals underneath heh 🙂
Bonnie
August 24, 2015 9:55 pmLove your fabric choice it suits the pattern perfect. You look lovely! Great job!
Bonnie @ http://www.sewplus.blogspot.com
Hila
August 24, 2015 10:33 pmThanks Bonnie!
lovelucie1
August 25, 2015 12:39 pmI missed this one! Just gorgeous. Want one!!
Hila
August 26, 2015 10:02 pmThank you!
Nia Lorre
January 4, 2018 11:22 pmGreat outfit! I am tardy to the party because I just found this pattern looking for something super quick and easy to sew.
FWiW: My cheat for the swayback on tops like this is to make the back a little wider at the tush area so it skims right on past.
Hila
January 9, 2018 12:52 pmThanks Nia – I will try that next time. #alwayslearning
Summerflies
June 28, 2023 11:08 pmNice easy shirt in nice fabric. https://patternscissorscloth.com/2010/12/05/sway-back-alterations-my-analysis/
This is an excellent explanation and a quick way to do the sway back adjustment although I’m sure you have a favourite explanation. There is a quick option revealed also.
Hila
June 30, 2023 8:33 pmThank you for the lovely comment! I appreciate it!