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4.17.2010

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?

29 comments:

Jessica said...

Great idea! And that dress is very spring-like. I love eyelet.

The Wynn Family said...

Love it!!

Jamie said...

Love that dress!

sbmeeks said...

Its so cute!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to give that a try!

leigh7911 said...

Clever! I've got some eyelet hanging around here somewhere...

Michelle, Queen Behind the Lens! said...

Adorable! Can't wait to try it.

sb said...

I've always thought that adding a lining sounded too complicated. Thanks for proving that idea false!

Jenny said...

i love all things eyelet! would also like to give my first dress a shot with this pattern!

Needled Mom said...

Great idea. Very cute too.

Lacey said...

Love it!! And the model is adorable too, look at those long legs!

Angela C. said...

Thanks for the tut. I've wondered how to sew with eyelet. Thanks for the giveaways.

Angela C.
accoupons at gmail dot com

Sian said...

what a great idea!

Shanea said...

adorable! Such a sweet, Spring dress.
miamihoney@gmail.com

Brenda said...

Such a sweet dress. The eyelet is so cute.

Freda said...

That is such a great idea. And very cute!

Morgane @ Bear,Dolly and Moi said...

I am with you, I love eyelet fabric...
and always the trouble of those holes!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

Marcia W. said...

Cute springy dress:))

Heather said...

Such a cute dress, and I love the color!

Kelly O. said...

that eyelet is so pretty. I often look the other way when it comes to eyelet for clothing but you're right--it can be easy!

Ange Moore said...

I might have to go hunting for eyelet fabric now - since it looks so beautiful with the contrasting lining! Thanks for the inspiration.

Amy said...

So so cute! llpreschool at gmail dot com

Sarah said...

super cute! i love it!

sarah8914 at gmail dot com

mel said...

I do love eyelet, but wonder what to do with it when I want to use for a dress. Now I know!!

Natalie said...

I really love this one. Eyelet is so cute, but can be hard to use. Thanks for the tutorial!

Unknown said...

White eyelet dresses for spring are my favorite thing! Thanks for the tips on the lining!

Peggy said...

What a great idea! Thanks for the tips on the lining!!

Ana @ Don't Fear the Ripper said...

Love the eyelet option!
acwink@cox.net

Anonymous said...

i just bought some flower eyelet fabric so this is super helpful! thanks!