The Abingdon Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple a-line, peasant dress and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.

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What's better on a dress than ruffles?

Finish the dress as directed. Then measure from several inches below the underarm seam to the hem. Divide that number by 3 and add 1.5 inches. (If you are going to hem each ruffle you will need to add 2 inches. I used a fabric that doesn't fray and didn't hem.) This is the length of your ruffles. You will need 2 widths of fabric for each ruffle. Sew two of your strips together into a circle. Finish the edges, if needed. Gather one side of each ruffle. Attach to the dress, starting with the bottom ruffle. Attach it so that your side seams meet up and there is about 1 inch hanging below the hemline. Then attach the second ruffle so that the bottom of it overlaps the bottom ruffle by about 1 inch. The third ruffle should sit just a couple inches below the underarm seam. It should also overlap the second ruffle by 1 inch.

For the sash, cut two strips of fabric that are 60 inches, by 3-4 inches. With right sides together, sew together with a small opening to turn right side out. Topstitch all the way around. My sash tended to slip down on the dress, so I stitched it into place along one side seam, opposite the side you tie the sash.

Make it dressy or vintage-y or fun and spunky!

Photos by Brooke Reeves Photography