Butterick 5792

As the UK was sweltering in record temperatures in July, I decided that I'd like a light lounge dress/nightie to float about my flat in during hot weather. Thankfully for me, I've managed to make it just in time for another heatwave this week!

When the idea for this project came to me, I had a look through my pattern stash and found Butterick 5792. I bought it during a pattern sale a while ago because I liked the pyjamas (view A/F) but the "gowns" that are also included in the pattern seemed like they would do a good job of fulfilling my vision.

The pattern has gowns in knee and maxi lengths, with long-sleeved or sleeveless options and a number of neckline pleating/trim options. None of the options were quite what I wanted straight out of the packet so I ended up combining the features that I liked. I used the sleeveless option with the plain neckline (view E/D) and the length of view B, but with the addition of the ruffle at the bottom of the skirt from views C/E (although I shortened the ruffle a bit to account for the fact that I'd be gathering it into a smaller skirt circumference than you would be if using views C/E). Hopefully that all makes sense!

The pattern was really easy to sew and came together very quickly. The instructions are fairly standard for a commercial pattern - they're clear, but they do assume to some extent that you have some knowledge of sewing and they don't hold your hand too much. There's nothing very complicated about the views that I combined though, so I didn't have any problems.

The pattern comes in two size ranges (XS to M, and L to XXL) and, annoyingly, my bust measurement is well within the M size, but my waist and hips are more towards the L size. I'd bought the smaller size range because I was originally intending to make the pyjamas and in that case I could easily just use the top from this pattern combined with pyjama trousers from another pattern that I already had if necessary. 

I looked at the finished pattern measurements on the pattern paper, and decided that the M should give me just about enough ease around the hips still, but to be on the safe side I blended out from the bust to add a little extra width (about a centimetre on each seam) around the hips. Thankfully that worked out nicely and I'm happy with the fit.

The fabric that I used is a pretty cotton lawn from Like Sew Amazing. It's a lovely print, and the perfect weight for what I wanted. It also seems to have a magical ability not to crease, or to lose its creases very easily, which is always pleasing. Nobody wants to be spending unnecessary time ironing in a heatwave after all, do they?!

I think I managed to do a good job of putting my idea into practice, and I'm very happy that I got the project finished before the temperatures climbed again. The dress is lovely and light to wear - just what I wanted!