There's something so fun about hacking one of your favourite sewing patterns - it's like looking at it from a brand new angle. Our Stevie pattern not only looks different depending on the fabric you choose, but it also has fantastic hacking potential.
It's Jenny here, Office Assistant at Tilly Towers. I bought this lilac linen-Tencel mix last summer and it hadn't been paired with a project until it hit me - I can sew a Stevie hack!
This was definitely a situation in which the fabric inspired the project, which is usually the case for many of my me-mades.
It may not look like it here as I'm wearing tights (these pictures were taken at the beginning of June before the summer heat really kicked in), but this Stevie hack was made for those super hot days.
I constructed the Stevie bodice as normal without hemming. I wanted the gathered skirt to be nearly double my hip measurement so it would be nice and floaty. So I drafted a pattern piece that was just under half of my hip measurement x 52cm (20 1/2in) long and cut 2 on the fold to make the front and back skirts.
This gathered skirt can easily be adjusted to your personal style. If you want it more gathered you would make the pattern piece wider, or if you want it longer you would add length to the bottom of the pattern piece. And remember to cut it on the fold! :)
I attached the skirt to the bodice at the waist notches on the side seams so it sits on my natural waist for a relaxed smock dress style. To get a curved waistline look, I brought it up a bit when pinning at centre front.
I really love the back tie detail on the original Stevie pattern and wanted to keep that as a feature. I feel it adds such a lovely touch and I like the way it hangs softly in this drapey fabric.
For me, pockets in summer dresses are a must-have, especially when I'm on my commute and wearing a backpack - I need to keep things handy and pockets are required!
Adding pockets to this style of side seam is a doddle and it doesn't change the shape of the finished garment which is also important. I used our tutorial for adding in-seam pockets to your me-mades.
This is probably my favourite (and easiest) hack. I've repeated it time and time again on other top patterns I own and plan to do even more in the future in varying lengths and widths.
If you're also a lover of the Stevie pattern and hacking patterns check out this blog post Louise put together 10 Design Hack Ideas for Stevie. Now I can't stop thinking about that ruffle sleeve detail. Love!
And in case you missed it, Louise has also hacked her Stevie tops to have pleat details on the back.
If you make your own Stevie, do show us by using the hashtag #SewingStevie on Instagram.
