New Years Outfit - B5523

New Years Eve is of course the perfect time to sparkle...it's also cold here in Northeast Ohio so I decided the perfect New Years ensemble for a low key party at a friends house was Butterick 5523 in a soft black sweaterknit with more than a hint of shimmer.

I originally tried to sew this entire project on the serger.  However, I couldn't find quite the right tension for this soft, spongy knit so I finished the edges on the serger but sewed the seams with a zigzag stitch on a standard machine. 

I did make some alterations to the pattern.  I did not add the buttoned tab to the back and due to the drapiness of my fabric choice, the pleats in the skirt did not lay crisp and flat so I eventually gave up and simply made the casing for the elastic.  Unfortunately, this resulted in making me look ever so slightly pregnant... not exactly what I was going for.  So I styled the finished product with a wide elastic and patent leather belt which helped to smooth the silhouette and define a waistline in what was starting to look rather tent-like. 

That said, I think I will make this one again.  It's fantastically comfortable and could be a great winter staple.  I currently have a cranberry ponte knit in the stash that I think will give those pleats the crisp-ness they deserve.