Altering Patterns to fit your style

If I recall correctly, BERNINA,  in the not so far past,  posed this question on their facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/berninausa  "Do you  follow a pattern to get to the end result or  use it as a guide to end up somewhere else?" Maybe not in those exact words, but you get the gist...

This wrap-around skirt is a perfect example of using a pattern as a guide to construct a finished product different from the designer's original idea.  
  
With a few minor adjustments and leaving off the bodice, the Favorite Things  Wrap Dress was transformed into a Wrap Skirt.

Favorite Things Wrap Dress

Altered Version- Wrap Skirt

 To make the alterations, follow these easy steps!

•  From the pattern, cut the pieces for the skirt back, skirt front, lower back flounce, lower front flounce and ties. 

• Once the front and back panels are stitched together at the sides, serge/overedge the top edge of the entire skirt.   Turn the serged edge toward the wrong side creating 1/2" hem, pin in place.  Attach the  finished ties on each end of the skirt, tucking 1" of the raw edge under the  folded seam.  The majority of the tie will be extending out from the sides. Stitch both the hem and ties in place.
  
  
  

  

  waist hem

  
  

tie attachment

• Using a seam ripper, open up the left side seam 1/8" from the  top edge creating an approx. 1/2" opening.  Remember you have already created your hem at the waist so you will be creating an opening in both layers.  Using a straight stitch,  stitch horizontally above the created opening, reinforcing the opening on the top and bottom.  An option would be to create a buttonhole instead. 

new opening for waist strap

• Stop the flounce just above the knee on the left side of the skirt front.  This is the side of the skirt that lies closest to your body once wrapped around your waist.  This creates less bulk in unwanted areas!

stop flounce above knee

Next...try it with a knit!  

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