Retro Tiki Collab – Butterick 6354

Today I have a very special project to share with you, my very first blogger collaboration project featuring pattern Butterick 6354 .

Retro Tiki Collab

This collaboration started with an email from Bianca from Vintage on Tap. Both of us had recently shared that we had bought the Butterick 6354 from the Patterns by Gertie line.

Bianca had a great idea to do a collaboration project and invited Abi from The Crafty Pinup and Christina from Gussets and Godets to join in.

This #RetroTikiCollab as we decided to call it would be a sort of blogger hop. We’d each sew up a version of Butterick 6354, each giving a different twist on the pattern.

Rocking the Original Pattern

My twist on this pattern was to basically rock the original, and make it as directed. This also would help to give a point of reference for creative changes that Bianca, Abi and Christina made to their pattern.

Sarong and Shorts

The Sarong and shorts went together as planed. Nothing too dramatic in its’ construction. Since I was under a time crunch I choose to pink the raw edges of the seams.

As for fitting adjustments, the sarong I used a ⅜ inch seam allowance, which I might have been able to increase, but I was worried about it being too small.

I sewed the seam allowance on the shorts at ½ inch to give it a little more room. Speaking of the shorts, I really like how they look and might make them again. I only wish they had pockets.

The Bolero

The bolero was another really easy make with the kimono style sleeves.  I wish though the sleeves had been bigger. As with most sleeves I had to enlarge the opening to get my arm in.

For this pattern I sewed the seams at ½ inch instead of the standard ⅝ inch seam allowance. However, I feel like it could be  a little looser around the underarm.

I lined the bolero as directed in the pattern, using a canvas colored cotton and even added my official sewing label to the inside.

Bustier and Boning

As I anticipated I had all sorts of fitting issues with my butier. I made a muslin to begin with and had to adjust from a size 16 grading to a 22 at the waist for the side seams.

I also read that the bustier is a little low for bustier ladies, so I cut the neckline at the size 22 which made it a bit higher and a little less revealing.

The front bustier pieces I sewed at the standard ⅝ inch seam allowance. The center dart was new to me and got it to line up the best I could.

I sewed the side seams at ½ inch. While the back zipper was sewing at ½ inch at the top and ⅝ inch at the bottom. I guess I have a bigger bust, cause I needed the extra room on top to get the zipper to close.

The front bustier band was easy to put together, but it doesn’t want to set quite right, something I noticed some of my #RetroTikiCollab mates also had issues with.

I bought 2 yards of Featherlite Boning  for this project, since it was readily available at my local Joann Fabrics store. I used about a yard for this project.

The boning goes in pretty easy, just cut to length then remove the plastic bone from casing. Sew casing on to placement line sewing over casing stitches. Close one end of the casing then place the plastic bone inside, sew up other end.

Since the bones are wound in the package they want to curl on you making it a little difficult to put back in the casing. Also I wasn’t sure which direction to place the bones because they curled to one side. My husband suggested that the they should curl out so the rounded curve sets towards the body.

Lastly I added the halter top and sewed the seam at ⅜ inch, I also had to adjust the length to give a tighter set. I had some gaping issues on the bustier but most of those went away when I added the halter strap. I guess it helps pull everything closer to the body.

Completed Project

I’m glad to have been able to be apart of this #RetroTikiCollab with some super talented vintage sewers.

Back in May  had already wanted to make a Gertie Pattern Butterick 6019 for my I Dream of Tiki / Hawaiian Dress Sew Along. While that project didn’t come into fruition, I can still say I was able to make a tiki dress (playsuit) in the end anyways.

Continue the Fun

I hope you enjoyed my make of Butterick 6354 for our #RetroTikiCollab , but remember the fun doesn’t end here. Be Sure to check out everyone else’s make:

• The Crafty Pinup – Abi’s  Bustier-to-Skirt Pattern Hack
• Gussets and Godets – Christina’s  Bustier-to-Shorts Pattern Hack
• Vintage on Tap – Bianca’s Reversible Version

GIVE AWAY

To make this #RetroTikiCollab even more fun I’m giving away 2-½ yards of great tiki inspired fabric. All you have to do is enter below, it’s that easy.

Contest is open to all US residents and ends at 11:59 pm on Thursday August 11th. Winners will be announced on August 12th and will be contacted via Instagram. See here for Terms and Conditions.

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