This week we are excited to be taking part in the Simplicity Pattern Hack-along to raise awareness and funds for The Eve Appeal Charity. The Eve Appeal is a charity is the only UK national charity funding research and raising awareness into the five gynaecological cancers. Along with lots of other makers from the sewing community each week the blogger team will hack a Simplicity Pattern and share our finished outfit to inspire your next make. The hack-along is open to everyone to join in.
Pattern Options
There are nine patterns that have been curated for the hack-along including dresses, tops and trousers. Use any of these nine patterns from the Simplicity Pattern Hacking range and then decide which category is right for your finished garment before sharing your hack on social media with Simplicity using one of these hashtags #hackalongday #hackalongparty #hackalongvintage to win prizes.
The Hack
I decided to hack the Simplicity 8888 pattern. Designed for woven fabrics, this pattern comes with several hacking options include neckline, sleeve and length variations. For my hack I wanted to turn this maxi dress into a jumpsuit!
Materials
Fabric – Atelier Brunette viscose crepe fabric in ‘Forest’ from Minerva Crafts
Notions – matching thread and 16″ concealed zipper. Small piece of interfacing for collar.
Hacking Process
I really enjoyed sewing up this pattern. I was inspired by a lot of the high neck jumpsuits on the high street at the moment and wanted to add this design detail to the bodice. With Winter on it’s way long sleeves were a much more practical option. I’ve really enjoyed watching all the jumpsuits that have been made in the sewing community this year and thought I would get much more wear out of this garment if it was a jumpsuit rather than a dress. It’s a bit of a tricky fabric to photograph but it’s dark green with a lovely drape.
I used the bodice with princess seams provided with the pattern and took in the side seams by 1″ on both sides. The collar was created by measuring the neckline and creating two pattern pieces. The first is the collar stand, which measures 2cm high. The second is the collar frill also 2cm high and cut on the fold. At the back the zipper finishes at the neckline below the collar stand. The collar stand is held together with a hook and eye. I extended the sleeve to full length by extending the side seams of the capped sleeve. I took the skirt pieces and drafted a basic wide leg cropped front and back trousers piece, keeping the gathers between the side seam and princess seam at the waist. The trouser and bodice pieces were sewn together at the waist before the zipper was added in. To finish I hand stitched the collar in place on the inside of the garment.
The blogger team
Keep your eye out over the coming weeks to see what all these lovely bloggers decide to make!
1. Thursday 26th September
Juliet, Sew So Natural
2. Thursday 3rd October
Abi, Crafty Pinup
3. Thursday 10th October
Rachel, The Fold Line
4. Thursday 17th October
Susan, Susan Young Sewing
5. Thursday 24th October
Brittany, Brittany Jones
6. Thursday 31st October
Bianca, Sleepless in Bavaria
7. Thursday 7th November
Amy, Almond Rock
8. Thursday 14th November
Victoria, Victoria Lucille Anne
9. Thursday 21st November
Sara, The Sara Project
10. Thursday 28th November
Carolyn, Handmade By Carolyn
11. Thursday 5th December
Rumana, The Little Pomegranate
12. Thursday 12th December
Name: Emily, Self Assembly Required
13. Thursday 9th January
Marie, A Stitching Odyssey
14. Thursday 16th January
Portia, Makery
15. Thursday 23rd January
Barbara, Lisa and Louise, The Pattern Pals
16. Thursday 30th January
Jen, The Gingerthread Girl
Related posts The Sewing Weekender 2019 Read post Sewing patterns that use under a metre of fabric! Read post Q&A - ask us anything! Read post The Sewing Weekender 2019 – Sewing speakers and workshops! Read post
