Anda recycled-alter the pattern to suit your fabric (7742 Views)

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  Step 1 of 7

  Let's experiment! Instead of heading out to the fabric store this weekend why not make something from your stash? Take a piece of fabric, mine measures about 1 1/2 metres in length. Here you can see i have used some stretch knit, upon reading the instructions for Anda you will know that this is not the recommended fabric, remember we're experimenting! Let's see how it turns out.

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  Step 2 of 7

  Print you pattern onto recycled paper, put together and cut out. Lay the pattern onto your fabric placing it in a way that you can use as much fabric as possible. I opened out my fabric and folded each side into the centre before laying my pattern on top. As my piece measured only 1 /2 metres i needed to shorten my pattern pieces by about 4 inches. Cut out you fabric and make any marking required.

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  Step 3 of 7

  Overlock each piece. Pin shoulder fronts to shoulder backs and sew. Then pin side seams together and sew.

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  Step 4 of 7

  As I have used a stretch knit i decided to use a twin needle as recommended when sewing knits. I used a a green thread and a cream thread mainly for the fact that i did not have 2 spools of the same green thread, remember we're using from the stash.

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  Step 5 of 7

  Instead of using a binding around the neck and armholes i folded them over and top stitched. I also did this with the hem. Depending on the fabric you are using you could do this or bind as mentioned in the pattern. Maybe you'd like to change the shape of the neckline too?
  

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  Step 6 of 7

  I decided against adding a casing to the dress, too fiddly. I also wanted to use up the remainder of the fabric, no wastage or at least as little as possible. The remainder measured the full width of the fabric piece i started with and approximately 40cm in length. I folded this in half lengthwise, right sides facing and sewed up the length and one end. I then turned it right side out and folding in the open end sewed it closed making it into an obi style belt. There is a tiny mark on the fabric but this is solved my making sure it is on the underside of the belt.

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  Step 7 of 7

  As you can see it turned out quite different to the original Anda. Being a stay at home Mum i rarely require party dresses and this suits my lifestyle much better, it's more casual and very comfortable. I've been wearing it as it is and also with leggings. I'm pleased with how it turned out and the best thing is it cost my $0 to make it, the fabric was given to me by a fellow blogger. I would have liked to have made a smaller size though (i made the smallest size on the pattern-38) to minimize armhole gaping, this could be fixed next time by altering the shape of the armhole before cutting.

  So, how did your's turn out? Be sure to show us by uploading a photo in the 'Creations' section. I hope you had fun creating this weekend!