The Abilene Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple pattern (The Sweet Dress by Leila and Ben) and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.

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In the springtime I always find the most adorable eyelet fabric in fun, springy colors.

But what to do with eyelet?

It has holes all over it!

No problem!

Add a lining.

Cut your dress out of the top fabric as directed in the Sweet Dress pattern. For the lining fabric, you do not need to cut sleeves. For the main dress pieces, cut the lining about 3 inches shorter on the length. Also, cut the neckline down 3/4 of an inch lower than the pattern neckline.

Iron as directed on the pattern for the main dress. Then, instead of sewing the dress as instructed by the pattern, start by sewing the side seams together on the dress and the lining. Hem the dress. Finish the bottom edge of the lining (I used my rolled hem edge on my serger). Place the wrong side of the lining against the wrong side of the dress and baste the sleeve openings together using an 1/8 inch seam.

Sew the underarm seams together on each of the sleeves. Place the sleeve against the dress, right sides together and sew the sleeves in place.

Now finish as directed for the neckline and sleeves.

Springy, no?