Butterick pattern B4790 the “Walkaway” dress was used in week 3 of the Great British Sewing Bee as the technical challenge. It is proving to be as popular today as when it was first released in 1952 (the year after I was born!) The style was christened the “walkaway” dress because it was so easy “you could start it after breakfast …. and “walkaway” in it for luncheon! The simple flattering wrap design and easy construction are what makes the dress so enduringly popular.
For once, I was ahead of the crowd as I purchased the pattern and sufficient fabric for the project back in the Spring of last year. However, with one thing and another, plus the fact that I mistakenly cut into the fabric for a.n.other project, it got put in the “roundtuit” pile.
Having seen the design used on the GBSB and also last week on the Create & Crafts TV channel I was sufficiently galvanised to order new fabric and binding to make up the dress. I have chosen a Cerise background print of liquorice allsorts plus black bias binding from Fabricland. Having stated this fact at the most recent meeting of Sprat & Winkle Quilters the Ladies will now be watching the blog to see how quickly the finished dress appears. Know what my next project should be? However, I have just this afternoon cut out the White polyester crepe for a blouse with lace overlay collar plus a White cotton Broderie Anglaise for the Merchant & Mills Dress shirt, the Walkaway dress is 3rd in the queue!