Lottie Pattern Hack 4 Tutorial

Welcome to the fourth and last Lottie Pattern hack! I hope you have enjoyed this series and hopefully it's inspiring you to start cutting up your Lottie to make loads of other looks. 

Pictured above, in this hack I wanted to do some blocking with stripes. This is a very simple hack, but I think it really changes up the look of the dress. It feels like a t-shirt with a skirt added on, which I like. Because the only real changes for this hack are below the waist, this hack doesn't really work on the shirt version, but it can absolutely be done on either the dress or the maxi versions. 

The first step as always is to trace off your pattern. Please don't make these hacks to your original pattern! The lower band on this version is created by slashing at the lengthen and shorten line. So first step after tracing off your pattern is to cut your pattern at that spot on both the dress front and back. 

Now that we've made two new pattern pieces, we need to add seam allowance to the top of the lower pieces and to the bottom of the upper pieces. Simply add 5/8" to these four pieces, as pictured above.

I added a chest pocket to this version, to play up the shirt look and to have more fun with the stripes. If you'd like to add that too, you will need to make a chest pocket piece. If you have a pocket that you like from another pattern, you can simply use that one if you prefer. If you want to make your own pattern as I did above, simply draw out the pocket size you like and then cut it from the fabric. 

I made my pocket pattern piece so the finished pocket (the center of the lines) is 3 3/4" wide at the top, 3" long on the sides, and 2 1/4" long on the bottom angled edges. After that, you need to add folding space on the sides. I added 1/2" on the sides and bottom, and added 1 1/2" at the top so I could fold it 3/4" twice, to the inside of the pocket. 

Simply fold and press on your top lines and sew the upper flap in place. Continue by folding the sides and bottom in to the wrong side of the pocket, then sew to the front of your dress in the spot you prefer. I placed mine on top of my left chest, so in order to place it there, I needed to sew my darts first. 

For the hem panel, simply place the skirt part on top of the dress, right sides together. Be sure to line up the sides at the seam line since the fabric will not line up at the same angle. 

Stitch the skirt on, finish the seam allowance, and press up. Topstitch the seam allowance in place by stitching 1/4" from the seam. Repeat with the remaining dress and skirt piece so both the front and back are complete. 

From there, simply construct the rest of the dress as instructed in the directions. And then you will have something like the photo below! Thanks to everyone for following along with these hacks and as always, let us see your make by sharing it with the #lottiepattern and #christinehaynespatterns hashtags!