Butterick Dress B6556 review

This is a great pattern if you’re a fan of vintage-style full-skirted dresses.
Based on the finished garment measurements, I made one size down from what is recommended for my body measurements but then used fractionally smaller seam allowances on the side seams around the waist to give a little more breathing (and eating!) space. I also used a slightly smaller seam allowance around the neckline as I found this made the straps sit better on my shoulders. I lengthened the bodice, which is a standard adjustment for me. I didn’t need to lengthen the skirt (I often do – I’m 5’9″/175cm) and it’s bottom-of-the-knee length on me straight out of the packet.
I also chose to remove the triangular notch/cut out on the front neckline because I prefer the simple square neckline.
The instructions were brief but clear as you would expect from a commercial pattern. I ignored the instruction to leave a gap in the neckline when attaching the outer bodice to the bodice lining and didn’t have any problems turning the bodice right side out.
The photo is of my second version – there are photos of my first version and more details on my blog: http://nightingaleanddolittle.blogspot.com/2019/08/butterick-6556-dress-sewing-pattern.html