Alter Lydia Top into V-Neck Dress (6042 Views)

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  Step 1 of 20

  On the Lydia 3197 Pattern, choose your size and draw in the sewing line by measuring in 5/8” (1.5 cm) from the cutting line. Above, the pink line represents the cutting line and the yellow is the sewing line. The yellow line will be the line which alterations and measurements are made on. Do this for both the front and back pieces.

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  Step 2 of 20

  Measure 1” (2.5 cm) front neck opening along shoulder seam and mark a point. Do the same on the back.

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  Step 3 of 20

  Using a French curve, draw a new curved neckline (which will later be pulled in the center front to create a bust shape) between the 1” (2.5 cm) point and the original center front, blending to create a nice looking curve.

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  Step 4 of 20

  The blue line represents the new neckline I’ve created. Notice how it blends into the original curved neckline. To later make this a V, we will gather along the center front to 2” below the neck, so mark a point here.

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  Step 5 of 20

  Add seam allowance to the new neckline, and make tick lines through the old one, so are not tempted to cut the wrong neckline.

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  Step 6 of 20

  To lengthen into dress length, cut off hem allowance from pattern. Tape pattern onto more paper and measure 12” (30.5 cm) and extend center front of pattern to this point.

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  Step 7 of 20

  Measure 12” (30.5 cm) out from along the t-shirt hem and mark points.

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  Step 8 of 20

  At the side seam, extend the pattern 12” (30.5 cm) also. If you want to make the dress a little a-line, extend out instead of straight down.

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  Step 9 of 20

  Use a French curve to join the points and draw a nice smooth hemline. Add 1 ½” (3 cm) hem allowance

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  Step 10 of 20

  Do the same for the back piece, extending the center back 12” (30.5 cm). Match the side seam to that of the front by laying the front piece over it and tracing, if necessary. Measure along both when finished to make sure the pieces “walk” (fit together). For inseam pockets, follow the instructions in this How To.

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  Step 11 of 20

  Highlight the cutting line of the size sleeve you need (shown in pink). To shorten the sleeve, measure 17” (43 cm) down the center and mark a point.

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  Step 12 of 20

  Draw a line straight across this point.

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  Step 13 of 20

  Fold on this line. To create the sleeve hem, using a spiked tracing wheel, or pins, or tracing paper, trace along the pink line through the folded paper, about 3” (1.5 cm).

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  Step 14 of 20

  Unfold pattern. Extend pink cutting line along newly traced line, 1 ¼” (3 cm). Draw another line across, creating the hem for the sleeve.

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  Step 15 of 20

  To create the neckline facing, use waxed tracing paper, face down on pattern paper, and trace along the neckline. Do this for both the front and the back.

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  Step 16 of 20

  The traced neckline should look like this. Make sure CF (Center front) and CB (Center Back) are marked. Extend 2” (5 cm) to create facing, and add seam allowance above neckline and side seam.

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  Step 17 of 20

  Facing pieces should look like this.

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  Step 18 of 20

  Cut out all pieces and sew side seams, shoulders, and sleeves as shown in the instructions for Lydia t-shirt. For the neckline, sew facing on and trim inside. Put on dress form, or on a friend, and measure 2” down, mark with pin.

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  Step 19 of 20

  Create three downwards facing folds in this 2” section and pin like shown above. Sew down along CF of dress, through both dress and facing.

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  Step 20 of 20

  The result is the neckline seen above, and the awesome, comfortable, and stylish t-shirt dress! Test out your pattern altering skills by adapting this How To for a variation that’s perfect for you, and don’t forget to keep checking for a few other versions too!