I’m sure by now we’ve all been invited to a least one “Buy these clothes” Facebook party and we’ve been tempted to buy some outfits only to think “nah…I can make it myself”. Am I right? Well that was my thought when I saw one of this big online company’s newest relaxed fit dress that features a high low hem.
Today on the blog I wanted to show you my version of this popular dress and teach you how to use your favorite P4P patterns to make yourself one. First you will need the Free Spirit Tank (which just got updated to include the Layer Feature!) and the Boyfriend Vneck shirt patterns, a ruler, markers, paper, your fabric of choice, a measuring tape and a French curve ,if possible (A great investment if you don’t have one!). Start by printing the patterns according to the instructions and then cut your size and the high low option.
I used the sleeves and armcyce from the Boyfriend V neck shirt because it has a looser fit. If you are unsure how to mash the two patterns to add sleeves to the FST, use Judy’s Free Spirt Tank- Layer Me Up mash up tutorial. You would apply the same guidelines and tutorial. Even better, the Vneck Boyfriend tee includes a pocket piece too!
Now that we have the sleeves part covered, let’s move on the the high low hem. Grab your measuring tape because it’s time to take some additional measurement to create the above knee dress length. Measure the length from underarm to above knee, now measure the FST pattern piece from underarm to the hi low hem mark line. In doing so you’ll figure out how many inches you’ll be extending the side. In my case it was approximately 10 inches.
Attach some blank papers to the bottom of your pattern so you extend it. Using a straight ruler add the 10 inches side extension to both the front and back pattern pieces. Now we will create the front and back curved hems. The back curve will be a much more deep one than the front. Take the front piece and mark 12 inches down from the high low hem. Using a French curve draw a curve from the side point to the center seam. We will draft the back curved hem the same way only this time we’ll mark the extended center mark at 14 inches and carefully draw a curve between the side mark and the center.
That’s all! You’ve now drafted your own “Carly” inspired dress. Cut out the pieces and sew them according to the pattern instruction. The Boyfriend V neck shirt includes a pocket so I added it to the FST front too. Simply mark the pocket placement from the Boyfriend shirt on the FST pattern.
TIP: the bottom hem will have a pretty big back curved hem so don’t forget the tips I gave you in a earlier blog about hemming knits.
Let me know if you have any questions by posting them in the comments below. As always, don’t forget to show off your creations in the group. I can’t wait to see your versions of this dress.
Alex
Great tutorial! Is the 12in down from the high low hemline in front and 14in down in the back a universal measurement or would it be 2in lower than the 10in that you extended down the side for the dress length in the front and 4in in the back? I guess what I’m asking is, if someone had a different length to extend from underarm to above the knee if it would be the same 12in front and 14in back extension from the high low hemline?
Thank you. I’ve been wanting g to find a way to make my own too. Do you have any tutorials or patterns for the other LuLaRu items?
could you use the sweet tee arms instead of the v-neck?
The Sweet Tee is a dolman style sleeve rather than a set in sleeve like the Boyfriend V Neck, so the mash would look very different and also not be as close to the LLR Carly if that is your intended look/fit.
The Boyfriend shirt doesn’t go up to my size, but I do want looser sleeves (I have some Carly dresses and that’s the one thing I don’t like – the sleeves are too tight and short, so they ride up and let all the chub out). Would the Women’s Henley sleeves work? I know the Layer Me Up would have tighter sleeves…
Yes. You can certainly use the Women’s Henley sleeves. You will be following the same technique as in the link provided in the group.
Thank you!! I can’t wait to try this, once I’ve gotten a bit of practice!!
Do you have a kids version of this been looking forever
We do not, but this one is similar in youth. My sister and I released these together years ago 🙂 http://www.madeformermaids.com/talor