Pattern Makeover Month Flickr Group

Giveaways are still open until this evening! Scroll down to see them all.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I have had several of you say that you were inspired by Pattern Makeover Month and have made a few yourself. Well, I want to see them!

I have made a flickr group called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' If you have made a version of the Sweet Dress, please join the group and add your picture.

And if you are new here, and have no idea what I am talking about, go here and here.

Pattern Makeover Month Recap

1. The Berkeley Dress 2. The Bellingham Dress 3. The Westpoint Skirt & Top 4. The Shelby Dress

5. The Darby Dress 6. The Annapolis Dress 7. The New Haven Dress 8. The Linden Dress

9. The Raleigh Skirt & Top 10. The Monroe Dress 11. The Montgomery Dress 12. The Dixie Dress

13. The Quincy Dress 14. The Harrisburg Dress 15. The Montague Dress 16. The Abilene Dress

17. The Naples Dress 18. The Astoria Dress 19. The Preston Dress 20. The Kinsley Dress

21. The Montgomery Top 22. The Lancaster Dress 23. The Alexandria Dress 24. The Camden Dress

25. The Manhattan Dress 26. The Brooklyn Dress 27. The Hampton Dress 28. The Arlington Dress

29. The Abingdon Dress 30. The Staten Island Dress 31. The Jersey Top 32. The Juno Dress

33. The Shasta Dress 34. The Florence Dress & Petti 35. The Retro Apron 36. The Notting Hill Pinafore

37. The Charlotte Dress 38. The Key West Dress 39. The Kensington Dress 40. The Lexington Dress

41. The Prescott Dress 42. Peasant Dress by Melissa Stramel 43. The Boardwalk Dress by Crafterhours

44. Splish-Splash Dress by Pea Pod Creations

The End

And that concludes Pattern Makeover Month.

1 seamstress
3 guest bloggers
39 tutorials
46 dresses
51 blog posts
and
759 photos

I don't know about you, but I am EXHAUSTED! Time for a little R&R. . .

(And if I don't get my sewing space cleaned up soon, my hubby may not let me stay here much longer! ;0)

The Harrisburg 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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Keeping the quilt theme going-- a CrAzy quilt dress!

Cut the dress pieces with a muslin fabric. The sleeves can be cut with any fabric. I used two different ones to make it a little crazier!

Take one of your lining dress pieces and start towards the top. With the wrong side of your fabric against the right side of your lining, stitch the piece onto the lining. Most pieces I cut were at an angle, going all the way across the lining.

Place your second fabric piece, right side to right side of your first piece and stitch together over the same place you made the original seam. Press the second fabric down and attach your third fabric. There isn't a wrong way to make a crazy quilt/dress. Just keep attaching fabric until your lining is covered. The seams don't even have to be perfect, as you will cover all the seams with trim.

Once you have the lining covered, turn the lining over and baste all the way around the edges. Trim the excess fabric from the edges of the lining.

Now go crazy with your trimmings! Cover all the seams. Use ribbon, lace, ric-rac, gathered chiffon, buttons, whatever suits your fancy. Also, this is a great time to use your fancy stitches on your sewing machine. I don't have very many on mine, but this is what I was able to do:

Finish the dress as directed in the pattern. I also added a six inch chiffon ruffle at the bottom. Cut your chiffon 6 inches by 120 inches. Shir about 3/4 inch from the top, all the way around the ruffle. Attach to the bottom of the dress on top of the fabric making sure that the bottom of your dress is below the shirring line on the ruffle. Stitch on top of your original shirring line.

The Lancaster 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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(Sorry about the picture. . . my models are on strike!)

This little number is dedicated to all my quilty friends out there ;0)

Cut the two dress pieces as directed in the pattern out of muslin. Cut the sleeves and a ruffle out of a contrasting fabric. The ruffle should be 2 strips measuring 3 inches by 40 inches. For the patchwork, you will need squares measuring 2.5 inches square (you may want to make slightly larger squares for the larger sizes). I cut one 2.5 inch strip from each of 15 fabrics and had plenty for a 12 month size.

Mark a line on the muslin dress pieces, using your quilting ruler to find the diagnol. Stitch together enough squares to completely cover the muslin along your marked line. There will be some overhang on each side. Lay the patchwork strip along the line, right side up and stitch 1/8 seam on one of side of your patchwork strip (see picture).

Sew another patchwork strip together that is the length of the un-stitched side of your first strip, again covering all the muslin. With the right sides facing, stitch the two strips together, with the muslin underneath using a 1/4 inch seam. Match your seams as you go. Press your second strip flat and continue until you have covered the entire half of the muslin dress piece.

To finish the other side, sew another strip the length of your very first seam. With the right side of your new strip facing the first strip, sew together using a 1/4 inch seam. Press. Continue until the muslin is all covered.

Press. Baste all the way around the dress piece. Trim the excess patchwork around the dress piece.

Complete the second dress piece the same way. Finish the dress as directed, adding the ruffle instead of hemming.

The Nightie-Night Nightie

(Yes, I know the title is totally cheese-ball. You'll have to forgive me. . . my creative brain cells are fried!)

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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

My little girlie-girls LOVE nightgowns! Why? Not sure. Maybe it has something to do with the twirl-ability of nightgowns, or maybe it is more princess-y than pjs. But whatever it is, we just don't have enough nightgowns in our house.

So, yesterday I decided to whip up some nightgowns for the girls. And what better than the Sweet Dress pattern?

I used knit fabric, so that I didn't have to finish any of the edges and shirred the neckline. Total time was about 20 minutes a piece, from start to finish. And the total cost is about $2 a piece or less.

And it is perfect for snuggling and tickling,

dancing, twirling and . . . undressing?,

and. . . uh. . . standing in the corner. . . huh. Ummmm, she takes after her dad. Ya. That's it. ;0)

The Brooklyn 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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Oh, how I wish you could see this dress in person!

It is one of my favorite favorites!

And isn't the model gorgeous?

To make this ruched (how in the heck do you pronouce that word???) pieced dress, cut the sleeves and dress as directed out of your main fabric.



Take the front dress piece, keeping it folded down the middle. Cut the folded portion off the front of the dress, 2.5 inches wide (5 inches when it is unfolded).




Use your cut piece as the pattern for your inserted piece. Using your coordinating fabric, cut a piece that is the same as your 'pattern', only add 1/2 inch on each side for a seam allowance.




You are also going to cut an additional piece that is twice as long as the first piece you cut. It should be six inches wide at the bottom. About half way up the strip, you will want to start cutting it narrower towards the top until it is three inches (see pic).







With your short strip, hem the bottom as the pattern directs for the bottom hem. Than take your long strip and finish the top and bottom with a rolled hem. Gather the two long sides. Baste the gathered piece to the first strip, keeping it 1.75 inches below the neckline and take it to the bottom of the hem on the short strip.




Sew the dress as directed using your main fabric. Stop before creating the neckline casing. Hem as directed. Now add the middle piece, making sure your hemlines match up at the bottom.


Finish as directed. And yes, making the neckline casing is going to be a little trickier to make in the front, but it is do-able and so worth it! I promise.

Photos by Brooke Reeves Photography

The Preston 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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Are you ahead of the game and working on school clothes? Add some longer sleeves and you have a perfect school girl frock!

To make the sleeves longer, simply lengthen them! I found that to make them bell like sleeves that weren't too wide, it worked to just keep them exactly square with the original pattern. To find the length, measure the length on your child from the underarm seam to the length you want your sleeve. That will be the amount you add to the pattern.

This apron is just a square of fabric with finished edges. It is stitched right across the front with no gathers.

A is for Apron

B is for Bell Sleeves

and

C is for too, too CUTE!

(Baby Sis wanted in, too!)

The Monroe 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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How about this sassy little version?

Cut this dress as directed in the pattern, adding about 1/2 an inch above the neckline. Do not cut sleeves.




Sew your side seams on both sides. Iron the armholes in 1/4 inch, twice. Stitch around both armholes, making a rolled hem edge.





Instead of gathering this dress at the neckline, I made pleats. And I found that the easiest way to make pleats is by using striped fabric! Take three pleats on each side of the center line on the front and back. Each pleat should be about 1/2 inch. Pin each pleat. Baste the pleats 1/4 inch from the neckline.





Cut two pieces of double-fold bias tape 25 inches. Find the middle of your bias tape and place it over the midpoint of the neckline.




Pin in place. Start stitching on one side of the neckline and continue until the end of the bias tape. Then go back and finish the other side of the bias tape, like so:

Finish the hem with bias tape.

I also added a little bias tape bow to the hemline. You can also finish the ends of your bias tape by sewing it closed or you can cheat-- like me! Just use Fray-Check or clear nailpolish to seal the ends.

Add a belt to finish the look.

Just a few more days. . .

The Splish Splash 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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Today's guest blogger is Kris, from Pea Pod Creations.

The first time I was introduced to Kris was on So You Think You Are Crafty? She had this adorable little dress as her winning creation:

I honestly want one for me!

Later, I found the Pea Pod Creations blog-- and it is so cute! I am very excited to have her here, sharing another adorable idea with all of you.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hi, my name is Kristin and I blog at Pea Pod. I am excited to be a guest writer at Brown Paper Packages. (I must say I fell in LOVE with the baptism dress that Leisel made!)

When asked to re-do a pattern, I started to think of what I wanted to make....well, with summer on it's way, we spend a lot of time at the splash pads around our house. So I thought I would work with a pillowcase dress pattern, and turn it into a swimsuit cover dress for my daughter.




With the pillowcase dress pattern, I decided to change it by using a different type of fabric and adding appliques.

Instead of a typical cotton fabric used in a pillowcase dress I used a knit material. (As a confession I have actually never used knit before, and it was much easier then I thought it would be!)

The bottom edge and armhole were a ribbed knit fabric (in the turquoise color). Both the bottom hem and the armholes where made by taking the ribbed knit material and making a bias tape. Need help making bias tape? Check here for help.




Doing something as simple as changing the type of fabric can make a huge difference.

The other change I mentioned was using appliques. The pattern for an applique can be found anywhere, clip art, a free hand drawing, I used my die cut machine to create what I wanted.



The key to using any applique is to remember to use Wonder-Under, especially on knit! The material shifts far too much, you need the Wonder-Under to help stabilize the design, then you can go around and satin stitch around the design......Changing your thread to match each piece of material will give you a much cleaner look.




I loved how easy and cute this simple dress turned out to be. I think that when you have a pattern you love, perhaps you don't need to look at making a major change to it, start simple by changing things like the fabric and adding appliques to your dress!



Summer here we come!

The Dixie 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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reversible Dress #2-

A perfect little picnic dress!


For this version of the Sweet Dress, cut the main dress pieces out of both fabrics, making the neckline straight across, instead of curved. Do not cut sleeves.





Sew the side seams together on both fabrics. With right sides of your dresses facing each other, stitch the neckline of both the front and back together, with your trim in between. Turn the dresses right side out and topstitch along the neckline. Then measure down 1 inch from your neckline and stitch a line across on both the front and back. Make another stitching line 1/2 inch down from the last line, making your casing.




Cut two elastic pieces about 4-6 inches long (longer for larger sizes, smaller for small sizes). Thread one piece through each side and stitch into place on each side. Finish the armholes with FOE or bias tape, same as directed here.





If you want a waistband, measure your little one from the underarm to the waist. Go down a couple extra inches to make it bubble slightly. Stitch two lines around, 1/2 inch apart to make a casing, going through both layers of fabric. Leave a small space near one side on the bottom stitching line to thread the elastic through. I use pins to mark the stitching line around to keep it even and to keep both layers together.






Measure around your girlie's waist. Cut the elastic to that measurement. Thread it through the casing, stitch together and finish the casing stitch.



To finish the hem, use bias tape and secure both layers together while attaching it.

The Quincy 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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What could possibly be better than a new dress?

Why, TWO new dresses, of course!

To make the Sweet Dress reversible is quite easy. One of your fabrics will show on both sides and the other will only show on one side.


Cut the fabric that will show on both sides as directed on the pattern. With the other fabric, cut the neckline down 3/4 inch for the main dress pieces. For the sleeves, cut 3/4 inch down from the top of the sleeve and from the hemline of the sleeve. Iron as directed for the first fabric. There is no need to iron the second fabric.



Sew each dress together as directed in the pattern until just before your create the casings (do not hem). Place the dresses together with the wrong sides facing and the ironed dress on the outside.

Pin the dresses together at the underarm seam and both sleeve seams on each side, matching the seams. Fold the casings over as directed, with the second fabric tucked into the casing. As you stitch each casing, it should catch your second fabric as well. Finish the casings as directed.

Once you have the casings finished, press the dresses to make sure your hemlines are exactly even. If they don't match exactly, trim them to match. Iron both hemlines under 1/4 inch. If you want lace, attach it to one of sides on the 1/4 inch turn-under. Then stitch the two layers together, with the lace in between.

(And Mom's favorite part- if one side gets dirty, flip it over and your girlie is clean again!)