The Charlotte 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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For this refashion, I used a long, tiered skirt. Fold the skirt in half, lining up the top and side seams as evenly as possible. Place the pattern matching the sideseams, with the top of the pattern at least an inch below the top of the skirt. The folded side doesn't have to match the pattern exactly. If it is a couple inches wide, it will work just fine. Cut the arm holes using the pattern. Watch for the zipper. It should be cut out with the armholes. Cut the neckline an inch above the pattern line.

Make a rolled hem edge on the arm holes and sew together the dress. Iron the neckline under 1/2 inch down and then another inch down. Stitch across the bottom, creating an inch wide casing on the front and back.

To create your neck sash, cut a piece 4 inches by 44 inches (60 inches if you want to be able to make a bow). Iron each edge and side a quarter of an inch in, then fold in half and iron. Top stitch around the edges of the sash. Thread through your casing.

Easy, peasy!