Apologies in advance for the lame post title. This dress, though, is NOT lame. Unless you think leopard is lame, and if that’s the case – I’m afraid we can’t be friends at this point, so you need to GTFO, bye.
This is my third (!!!) make of Butterick 5078 – and likely not my last, although it probably should be for right now. I love this pattern, although I’ve had to make a few modifications to get it exactly where I want it – shortening the skirt, eliminating the waist runching, and streamlining the sewing process. It appears to work well with a variety of fabrics, from slinky to ones with lots of body. Now that’s a versatile pattern, yeah?
(ooh I just noticed how crooked that picture is. My tripod doesn’t stand straight, so I usually have to straighten them in editing… and I guess I didn’t straighten that one enough. Sorry! I’m also not fixing it, mwahaha)
My fabric is a lovely knit ponte from Mood fabrics – it has a nice heft and body to it (unlike the rayon jersey I used for my slinky 5078), as well as a good amount of stretch, even though it’s also quite stable. This fabric was a joy to work with, especially when it came time for my twin needle topstitching. Usually I have to play around with the tension and stitch length to get a good smooth stitch without that weird bump down the middle, but with this stuff the stitches just sank right in. It also presses really well – which yeah, pressing a knit seems kind of weird, but I like to press my hems before I topstitch as I find it makes it easier to sew. And while it’s nice and cozy, I also think it’ll be totally suitable for warmer months.
As I mentioned before, I switched up the construction order for this to makes things easier. I basically just sewed everything flat, and then swooped up the side seams at the very end. This is what I love so much about knits – having those open side seams means it’s really easy to suck everything if you need to size it down a little. Which I ended up doing, since the super stretch of the fabric made the dress too big originally. I also narrowed the width of the midriff section, as the skirt is very heavy and the weight was pulling it down.
Also, I wasn’t thinking when I bought this stuff (well I was thinking, but more along the lines of “OOH LEOPARD OOH SEXY DRESS LET ME WRAP MYSELF IN THIS HERE BOLT OF FABRIC), and I only bought a yard and a half. It would’ve been enough if the bodice wasn’t cut on the bias. Whoops! I spent foreeeeever trying different cutting layouts to get this to fit on my piece of fabric. In the end, I shortened the sleeves to elbow-length, took an additional 2” off the skirt, and now the bodice back has a seam (it’s supposed to be cut on the fold – can you see that seam tho? It kind of looks, oh, camouflaged trololol).
Sewing the actual dress took barely any time at all, though. Seriously. It took me 45 minutes to stitch the thing together.
Here it is without the belt. You all know I’ve been on a major belt kick lately, but this looks pretty good sans belt, too!
Consider me a ponte convert! Special thanks to Carolyn, she dragged me to the section I would have otherwise ignored. Now I wish I had one of everything that was in there, gah.
Man, I love leopard print. It really goes with everything… expect maybe more leopard print. I probably shouldn’t wear my leopard coat with this, eh?
LLADYBIRD 
Awesome! I think this might be my favorite rendition of this pattern!
Love it! 45 minutes to sew it together? you are amazing! ~K
I love this dress! And you must be the fastest stitcher ever–I doubt I could do anything more complex than a pillowcase in 45 minutes. 😛
Honestly, the construction is probably about as complex as a pillowcase :B Lots of straight lines, and I sewed it on my serger so it went even faster than usual!
What a cute print! And 45 minutes is amazing. I actually really like the length on it too, even though you had to shorten it 🙂
That dress is waaaaaay too cute! love it!
So cute! Love this. I wish I had your sewing skills 🙂
This is my favorite incarnation yet. And you TOTALLY should wear your leopard coat with it!!
Love! Great fabric choice.
That dress is hotness.
That is all.
Love this dress! I just bought knit fabric after meeting up with oona & company and have been trying to think of a dress pattern for it. This one would be great!
Very flattering, and love the little belt.
Beautiful! Wow this is beautiful, I think you might just be perfect in every way and the dress really highlights that. Great job girl!
Aw! Stop, you’re making me blush 😉
This dress is SO flattering! You look amazing. Love it!
Everytime you make this it gets better, the way it should be. After seeing this I’ve been scouring the interwebs for this pattern, but no go. Wanna do a swap?
Haha, naw, I can’t give up my copy… it’s my favorite knit dress pattern, plus it’s been cut up to hell with all my alterations. I’m sure it’ll pop up in a search soon though 🙂
Can’t say I didnt try! You must have been sending out the knit vibes though cos I think I’ve found something I can knock up something mucjo similar from. YAY!
Love love love—so very fabulous!
Well… isn’t this cute?! I’m with you– I’m so glad Carolyn showed me the ponte! I was looking at the glazed ponte she made me buy last night, and now I wish I had more! It’s so cool!
Oooh, I can’t wait to see what you do with that stuff! That fabric was so awesome, I almost wish I had bought myself some 🙂
Beautiful dress, great job once again.
I think this 5078 is much more flattering than the slinky red one on you. Also, I know you cut the bodice on the bias because you otherwise wouldn’t have enough fabric, BUT I really like it like that! I think it breaks up the monotonous print and gives it a nice detail! Nice make!
I LOVE this! Hmm might have to get my hands on this pattern! I bet it’s super comfy too since it’s a knit fabric and of course the good fit 🙂
It is comfy! Like wearing fancy-lady pajamas 😀
I love this as much as I love leopard print, which is a lot! I’m actually wearing leopard print shoes right now with a striped long sleeve shirt and a floral scarf in my hair. Leopard print is my “neutral” haha 🙂
Hahah I always think of you when I see leopard!
I’m so with you on your love of animal/leopard print…I would wear it every day if I had enough of it in my wardrobe!!! Love this dress by the way, it’s so cute and flirty. And your makeup is looking particularly beautiful in these pics ;o)
Very funky, love the leopard print. so many variations of the leopard 🙂
This look fabulous in the leopard print. Congrats on becoming a MSN sewer!
Leopard print is everything to me! I can’t believe the dress only took 45 minutes to sew, it is gorgeous.
I’m so glad that you liked the ponte! Next time I’m in the store and find a great one I’ll let you know! Btw, I hate leopard print but love your dress!
Ooh yes! And… we can still be friends, even if you hate leopard. But don’t tell anyone hahaha
Wow, I am completely in love with this dress! I may need to venture into the ponte section next time I’m at the fabric store.
Usted es una maga.Miau ! puede usted salir y arañar a alguien!
vestido hermoso..No le pondrÃa cinto divide su figura.
Gorgeous! Definitely my favourite so far from this pattern. And how can anyone not love leopard print?
Super sassy, lady! This is a better fit each time you make it!
Lauren it looks great – not a hint of Bet Lynch, which is always my worry with leopard print.
Ha! I had to google to see who you were talking about… I was thinking more Peg Bundy, myself 😉
I had to google too… then I had an idea… what would happen if those two leopard-tastic ladies should meet each other?!!! How amazing would that be?!
I love me some leopard… so does that mean we’re still friends 🙂
You did a fantastic job and you were clever with your modifications so that all the pieces could fit onto the fabric. Good seamstress!
Nononono!! You SHOULD wear your leopard print coat with this!! You’d look so fabulous! Albeit in a slightly crazy way, but still…
This looks great on you! Definitely a “Lauren” dress! The fit just keeps getting better and better!
Oh wow, this is fantastic! I love the stretch and fit of that fabric. I’m trying to imagine the skirt 2 inches longer, and I think it’s perfect as is. Perhaps the fabric shortage was a happy accident?
amazeballs! I love leopard and I wouldn’t worry about your leopard coat. I often double leopard and feel all the better for it 🙂
Beautiful dress! It is very flattering and the print really suits you 🙂
I love it! Good job on making it work even when short on fabric. Always my biggest fear which is why always end up buying too much and stuck with a lot of farcical for.. Scarves…
What’s your tip on the camouflaged cb seam?
Work with a busy print so the seam is hidden 🙂 Haha!
That easy! Thanks!!!
I love leopard print! (On other people 🙂 ), and this dress looks gorgeous. The slinky knit is so flattering 😀
love this! i’m always a sucker for leopard
This is a winner – and in only 45 minutes! Love the fabric too, one can never have too much leopard print in their wardrobe 🙂
ooh, I would have liked to have this on MSN! Great job, Lauren.
Wow, I love this! I don’t looooove leopard myself (tho would totally love some little leopard flats), but this is one of my fave of your makes!
um…how much do I love this dress? You seriously look like you should be bad girl in the 1950s. Is that a weird compliment? Very Rizzo.
No way, that is the best compliment EVAR
Leopard is brilliant and this dress is gorgeous!
that looks fantastic! And I also like your sewing room!!
This is so cute! I have yet to make anything in leopard print, but your dress makes me want to give it a try. I don’t think everyone can pull it off though, and I’m not sure that it would be as flattering on me. You definitely rock this look! Leopard print fabric seems to have been made for you. 🙂
Oh man! I love the neck on this! I usually make my own patterns when making stuff for me, and i despise those commercial patterns but…. this is lovely..