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This is my first t-shirt dress pattern modification, although it’s the perfect base for many mods.

I love that Brutus is in this picture 🙂  That’s our shih-tzu.  Anyway, the mod I did here is a version I think I’ll make a lot of for Eleanor.  It’s so light and airy with a little funkier look than the classic dress. When you want to mix it up a bit, this is an easy, fun one to try!

I basically cut the bottom half off, doubled it, gathered it and sewed it back on.

More detailed instruction:

Start by taking the front pattern piece of the dress and measuring about half way between the neck and hem.

I actually made it a touch lower than half way. I used 12-18M size and measured up 7 5/8″ Make a mark there.

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Measure up the same amount on the side seam.  Mark there.

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Draw a curved line between the two marks. Make sure the curve you draw is the same as the hem by measuring up from the hem and marking a few places along the line.

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Do the same measurement for the back and cut the bottom half off.  I messed up the curve and had to re-draw it as you can see. Gotta make sure it’s even all the way across!

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Now, you will double the bottom halves by extending straight out from the fold line with a piece of paper. I added about 8.5″ width to the fold line to double it.

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Here are the bottom pieces cut out on the fold with the new pattern piece.

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Cut out the top, sleeves and neckband like usual.

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Sew a gathering stitch across the top of the bottom pieces. Knot one end of the seam.

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Gather the bottom piece to match the width of the top.

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Flip it up to the top so the wrong side is showing. Pin the gathered edge along the top edge in several places.

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Serge them together

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It will look like this after you serge them together. Do the same thing for the back.

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Now proceed with the rest like you would normally.

Serge the shoulders together

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After hemming the sleeves, serge them to the armholes

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Serge the side seams together from sleeve to bottom hem.

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Serge the neckband on

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Hem the bottom

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A little ironing and that’s it,  now your little one can twirl away!

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Don’t mind the dirt all over her, couldn’t keep her clean for even 5 minutes to take a picture. Oh well, it’s more realistic this way 😉

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Have fun with it!

If you need the dress pattern you can find it on my website Brindilletwig.com

-Melissa (also Eleanor and Brutus, they were FULLY involved)