I was super hyped when I first saw Gertie’s new shelf bust dress from Butterick. I ordered it right away, sewed it up … a few times… and now I’ve finally gotten around to doing the review.
Trashy Diva makes some amazingly gorgeous shelf bust dresses – I’m just a poor (probably because I spend too much on fabric and future projects!)
Honey Baby by Trashy Diva
Honey Ruffle by Trashy Diva
I’ve made this dress 3 times. I bought some cheap quilting fabric to make a wearable muslin. Here are all the pictures from my first try:
Guinness loves modeling
I was happy with it but assumed I did something wrong since the bottom of the shelf bust didn’t sit under my bust (where your bra’s under wire would be). I felt it made me look very flat chested. I was kinda confused about it but just chalked it up to me doing something wrong. I decided to cut the bust line a bit lower and retry. Needless-to-say but that way didn’t turn out how I wanted.
I searched Google to see if anyone else had done a review and I asked them where the shelf bust sat for them, they all answered that it wasn’t below the bust either. I felt better that it wasn’t just me but I was confused if the pattern was actually meant to be this way? Finally Gertie posted in her blog a picture and went more into detail about the bust part: here.
“The shelf seamline goes across the bustline horizontally, visually minimizing its proportions.”
Being that I’m not big in the bust area, I would have preferred it to be under my bust line to accentuate what I have – not minimize it. I can say that is my biggest issue with this pattern. I redrafted up my own bust area to make the dress more my style. It was a lot of work to fit it and get everything to look right but I think I accomplished it. I started to wonder if maybe that is why Gertie’s pattern is how it is – so it’s easier to fit most bust sizes?
Don’t get me wrong, I think the dress looks gorgeous on the model and on Gertie but that fit wasn’t for me. I’ve been debating doing a fourth try in a different pattern design and following the directions exactly but I don’t know if I would wear the dress or not.
Overall it’s a good pattern and the instructions are easy to follow. I was a bit worried that the pleats and bust area would be difficult but it’s pretty simple. I do love the circle skirt and how pin-up the dress looks.
I didn’t have enough fabric to do all the pleats on the third try so I just ruched it instead. I do think the pleats look better though. Here is my final attempt. I didn’t have a photographer to take pictures of me in it, so you get my dress form instead … it’s an easier model to work with anyways 😉
Have you made this dress? What are you opinions on it? What are your opinions on the bust part?
This is so darn cute…Amy it looks so good on you…I use to wear clothes you have been making…lol shame I do not have them anymore. You do a great job making items to wear…love u mom
Thanks Mom!! I wish you would have too! I totally would be stealing them 😉 Love you!
I really like it! I personally like the small shelf bust, but totally understand if you feel that it doesn’t make the most of that area. Maybe I like it as it would minimise it on me! I hope we get to see you in the latest version, I bet it looks gorgeous. And I reckon you’re right – Gertie probably did it that way to make it easier to fit a wide range of women. I’m glad you’ve finally got a fit you’re proud of 🙂
Thanks! Yeah, us smaller busted girls want to show off what little we have 😉 lol I may remake it in a solid color sometime. But I hope to get pictures of me in it up one of these days!
Glad I found this. I’m starting on the Simplicity version of this and noticed on my my muslin it seemed off in the bust. I thought it was me and I’d cut funky or sewed funky. Because I’m also very tall, I will have to lengthen my bodice or the skirt will start right over my lower ribs. I know it’s been quite a few years now but, did you ever figure the pleated inset our? Just looking at my muslin I am already thinking…wow…I’m going to look even more flat chested than I am! The only thing flatter than my singing voice is my chest…I need all the help I can get…in both areas.
I haven’t made this again and decided never again haha!! I just don’t like having to fuss with it that much. Also, Gertie came out with a better self bust pattern – B6167. That still had some issues but was a much better base for me. You can see my post here: https://www.thatssewamy.com/past-projects/birthday-dress-butterick-b6167/ I wish you luck! Let me know how it turns out!
Hi, Amy! Found your blog through Ami at The Little Tailoress and really love everything I’ve seen so far! (Mad Men challenge… oh my gravy, nailed it!) When Gertie released this pattern my first thought was that I wouldn’t be able to pull it off, having a smaller bust as well. I think your adjustments are great. Love the fabric choices too!
Hey! I’m glad you found my blog 🙂 Ami is so freaking cute <3 Thanks for all the compliments. I worked so hard on that Mad Men outfit, I can't believe on spot on it turned out. If you make the Gertie dress you should send over a picture - I'd love to see 🙂
I love the colour combo of your dress and I’m totally with you on the bust issue. The third version you made really accentuates the bust and I think it would be worth trying it with the pleats. Maybe you could use the same dress and just replace the pink part-not sure how easy this would be, sometimes it’s easier to remake the whole thing, I know! I don’t think you should give up on this pattern yet, you’re really close to perfection and the style rocks on you 🙂
Aww thanks 🙂 It wouldn’t be too hard to swap out the pink bust part… deep down I really want to do this dress again LOL I think once I’m over the frustration of it, I’ll go back 🙂
Your dress looks great! I had the same thoughts about it: I’m a much larger cup size (D), and I don’t think it’s flattering to have a horizontal line across that area either. Maybe it’s just a preference. I’m working on the pattern now and making the same changes. I’ve been making adjustments for about 3 days (not continuously lol) and I’m still trying to get the cup to pleat nicely so I may end up just making loose pleats. I might steal your idea of turning the “shelf” down in the front since that area has been giving me some problems (might have something to do with me not cutting the muslin’s strap on the bias.)
Anyway, thanks for posting pics of your dress. Now I have some more ideas of how to get it to look the way I want!
Let me know how it turns out and how you end up doing the bust, I really do want to go back and master the pattern how I want it… it’s just driving me nuts with the bust!
I agree with you on the bust… I would have preferred it a little lower. I love the polka dots on your dress. I LOVE trashy diva’s version of it. I love the peek-a-boo on the skirt. Sometimes I see flowered prints and think that there is a whole lot of flowers going on… that is a good way to use them but not have them be over-powering. Love your dress! Thanks for posting a comment about it on my blog.
I agree with you on the bust… I would have preferred it a little lower. I love the polka dots on your dress. I LOVE trashy diva’s version of it. I love the peek-a-boo on the skirt. Sometimes I see flowered prints and think that there is a whole lot of flowers going on… that is a good way to use them but not have them be over-powering. Love your dress! Thanks for posting a comment about it on my blog.
I just found your blog and saw this review. I made this dress last summer for a wedding. I redesigned the shelf to sit under the bust. I didn’t like the way it cut through the center of the bust. I also ruched the bust/cup piece. I don’t know if you managed to get the fit right, but if you want to know how I modified the pattern, let me know.
That would be great! I really like the idea of the pattern if it would sit under my bust. Did you post about it somewhere? Thanks so much 😀
I’m not a blogger, so no post. I could type it up and with photos. I found it to be easier than I expected. If you will email me sunnybunnych@yahoo.com I can send you the final result and the few changes I made on my muslin.
Btw, I made mine into a halter rather than sewing the straps in back.
awesome! just sent you an email 🙂