Hello Sewists! My name is Josie and today we will be doing a simple mash that just adds a bit of flare to your wardrobe. So happy to be on the G+G Blog to bring a pinterest find to life. If you like my work and want to see more of me feel free to follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/candrawgirl/) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/designsbyavijo/).
I’m so guilty of sitting on Pinterest and browsing clothing that I can’t have for one reason or the other but now I get to bring it to life with the clever use of G+G.
Today I’ll be showing you how to create this dress mashing the Anniversary Top (https://georgeandgingerpatterns.com/collections/staples/products/the-anniversary-top-womens-sizes-pdf-sewing-pattern?aff=70) and the Mix It Up dress (https://georgeandgingerpatterns.com/collections/top-patterns/products/the-mix-it-up-dress-womens-sizes-pdf-sewing-pattern?aff=70)(these are affiliate links that will earn me a smallcommission at no cost to you). Good news too, the MIU is on sale for the weekend!
If you are new to pattern mashing this is by far one of the easiest ones I believe you can do with very little creating new pattern pieces. Almost like a jigsaw the pieces have already been made for you.
What you will need:
-Anniversary Top
-Mix It Up Dress
-About 3-4 yards of knit fabric
-Ruler / Curved Ruler (optional)
-Extra Paper
-Marker
-Sewing machine / Serger (not required but can be used)
-Regular Sewing Equipment (thread, scissors, marker/chalk, pins/clips, ect)
Let’s Begin!
PRINTING AND ASSEMBLING PIECES
Now we only need the first three pages of the Anniversary Top Sleeve. This will show you the hole placement and the banding for that new arm opening. If you are outside of the range for this pattern no worries! This is just a reference for the sleeveshoulder hole size, placement, and band measurement. You can use the same as on this pattern or even adjust as you see fit then measure your own binding based on 85-90% of your cut opening. I’ll be using the pattern as measured.
For the MIU pattern I’ll be doing a yoke front, full back, ¾ sleeve, and an adjusted high low skirt. Print off the corresponding size of the full back, sleeve, high low, and yoke front assemble pattern as normal. The front and back bodice no changes. We will now adjust the sleeve and high low. You may need to reference the lengths on the full circle for the high low adjustments.
First: the sleeves. Since the Anniversary Top and the MIU have different armscye and we are using the MIU as our bodice base we want to keep using the MIU sleeves and just add the hole from the Anniversary. This is the easiest part. Lay your MIU over your assembled top sleeve for the Anniversary. If you have a light table or window this help trace but not needed.
You will line them up via the center marking at the top. You notice your MIU sleeve is shaped differently and it’s even a tad smaller than the Anniversary. This is ok. Lineup that top notch and make sure the widest parts are in line with each other.
Trace the cut out onto your MIU sleeve. You can cut this out so that when you cut your sleeves you have a window to use your rotary cutter in or to trace to cut out with scissors.
Now: to adjust your high low pattern piece. I’m using the longer high low as my start. This will need some measuring based on the full circle lengths (or personal preference). I am adjusting the front length to the length of the mini. So you measure out on the fold (you may need to add some additional paper here. This measurement will blend into the side length. The back length measures at the dress length so I’m leaving it this length for a subtle high low. You will clean up your curves and your pattern should look similar to this. This is where I used my curved ruler. Red is added length and adjusted curve, blue is original long high low.
Cut List:
-2 Sleeves (mirrored)
-Back bodice (main and lining)
-Front bodice (main and lining)
-2 sleeve shoulder binding strips
-Skirt
Assembly Time!
Now that some of the pieces have been adjusted this part will breeze right on. This is the easy part. We will be referencing the MIU for the construction minus the sleeve binding.
Follow page 13 of the Anniversary pattern and apply your binding (band) to your sleeve. It’s really like doing a neck band just in the middle of the sleeve.
Assemble the remaining pieces just as the MIU pattern instructs.
Hem.
You’re done!
I hope you enjoyed this simple hack you can add onto any sleeve for added flare and how to create a skirt length high low. Cannot wait to see what you create. Be sure to share it on the G+G facebookpage(https://www.facebook.com/groups/1486285618343038/).
Happy Sewing!!
Josie