Anda out of old dress shirt (10089 Views)

view all steps

•  
  1
•  
  2
•  
  3
•  
  4
•  
  5
•  
  6
•  
  7
•  
  8
•  
  9
•  
  10
•  
  11

• 

  Step 1 of 11

  Take your shirt and lay it out flat with the buttons up and just lay the anda pattern over so the center front line is about in the center of the button placket.

• 

  Step 2 of 11

  Trace around, and then flip around to trace on the other side. Alternatively you could somehow fold the shirt front in half so the button placket were on the fold like you would with normal fabric, but I found this slightly difficult. Anyway, however you decide to trace the pattern cut it out on your traced lines and you have a front piece! :)

• 

  Step 3 of 11

  Now we will cut out the back piece. For this I cut the yoke at the top just in the middle where the pleat is so the fabric will lay flat but you have to leave the rest of the yoke on to fit the shoulders. Because I wanted more fullness at the bottom, I didn't do the pieces parallel to the center but rather I lined them up with the bottom corners of the shirt. If you are confused look at the image to see how I laid the pieces of the pattern! And like the front just trace them and cut them out! You have a back piece!

• 

  Step 4 of 11

  Now we will cut out the back. Basically I wasn't sure if I would cut it out and that's why I cut out the pattern piece normally (the previous step). So. Here I show the basic shape I used but you can cut it in whatever shape you like (just keep in mind that the dress is not skin tight so not all shapes will work)! I drew mine on the pattern first to make sure. My final line was 7,5 cm (3") from the armhole at the lengthen/shorten line, and I finished the round shape at the top casing line which says "placement". Then I just folded my back piece in half and traced and cut the shape.

• 

  Step 5 of 11

  Next just sew the shoulder seams and side seams like you would on any Anda (right sides together!)

• 

  Step 6 of 11

  Now bind the (huge) neck hole and the armholes with bias tape made out of your other fabric. To learn how to make that go to this how to: -. I have to say I didn't cut mine on the bias because the fabric I was using had a little stretch and I didn't have very much of it. :D To figure out how much you need just measure the openings with your measuring tape and add about 10 cm (4") or more!

• 

  Step 7 of 11

  Now cut a piece of elastic the length of your waist plus seam allowance. This elastic will keep the gathers in place and the belt will go over it. Sew the two ends together. Now pin that end to one side seam so that it's just below the lowest part of the open back. Then fold the elastic in half and pin that to the other side seam. Now start sewing the elastic from the first pin to the second, stretching it in between the two pins so it the fabric lies flat underneath. When you get to the other pin just do the same thing this time stretching the piece until where you started sewing. (THIS PIECE PROBABLY DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. :D )

  I guess you could also just sew the casing like it says in the original instructions but instead of the drawstring you put an elastic.. :D

• 

  Step 8 of 11

  Ok now for the belt. Fold a piece of your other fabric two times (lengthwise and then crosswise). Look at the picture for more. :) The overlap measurement depends on the size of your buttons. I made it 1.5 so that it will be 3cm since I will use it on one end. Once you cut that out just unfold the short fold and sew that curve! Then turn it right side out and fold the two short ends under. Then make buttonholes on one end and sew buttons on the other and you have got your belt! Just try it on! If it's too big make a dart or something :D Ah, and the top is the curved edge!

• 

  Step 9 of 11

  Now for the ruffle measure the bottom of your shirt-anda (don't forget the overlap on the button placket) and cut a rectangle of your other fabric that is that measurement doubled in length and about 20 cm in width. You'll probably have to sew two pieces together to make this long enough. Then just sew two rows of stitching next to each other on one of the long sides of the rectangle and gather to the length of the bottom and then sew it on.

• 

  Step 10 of 11

  Now try the dress on with the belt and everything and have someone pin on the strip in the back. Mine is about 6 or 7 cm wide I think but it doesn't matter - you can make it as wide as you want! Be sure to stand straight for this so it won't gape afterwards! Then just sew it on and gather the two edges under it all the way to the elastic.

• 

  Step 11 of 11

  You are done! Go to the beach to try out your new dress!!! Hahaha! Have a nice summer!