Pattern Remix: The Layered Twirly Dress Tutorial

I was messing around with my Sunshine Orange Rit Dye and some white clothing items the other day and ended up with a few really cool bright new items. I realized the color matched some Dreaming in French Art Gallery Fabrics I have perfectly. I didn’t have a ton of fabric left but knew using MADE’s Circle Skirt Pattern as a basis would work beautifully. Here are a few pics of the end result and then the Pattern Remix Tutorial.

What You’ll Need:
Tank Top
Circle Skirt Pattern (You’ll need two, one being 2 inches shorter than the other)
Two Coordinating Fabrics
2″ Wide Elastic

You don’t have to dye your tank but I was thrilled with how close the dye color matched the orange in the fabric I choose. Look how awesomely it matches!

First, take the shorter of your two patterns for the top layer of the circle skirt and cut your fabric. Then take your longer pattern and cut the bottom skirt layer.

I ironed after I cut since I kind of hate ironing! Layer your skirts together and hang from a hanger to make sure you like the length of each fabric.

We’re going to do an empire style waist so measure your subject and see how far under the armpit you want to cut the tank. I choose to cut 2.5″ below the armpit. Remember, you’ll be adding in 2″ of elastic which will be the dress’s belt.

Follow the MADE Circle Skirt instructions for the elastic and circle skirt. You’re doing the exact same thing only you’re sewing two layers of skirt on at the same time. Hem your skirts as in the tutorial as well. Then pin the tank inside the top side of the elastic and sew all the way around (serge or zigzag first if you think the knit tank will fray).

Now for the fabric yo-yo flower. I used the circle that was leftover from the middle of the bottom layer of my skirt and the size was perfect. Here is a great fabric yo-yo tutorial.

Sew the flower onto you dress and you’re done! I sew the flower in the center and then reinforce in a few spots near the edges with a bit of Fabric-Tac glue so it lays nicely.

Comments

ppags says:

January 8, 2012 at 2:18 pm

I love this dress. You have inspired me to make one too. After about four MADE circle skirts under my belt, I think I might be ready to sew two together. Great color combos, by the way!

aprojectatatime says:

July 10, 2012 at 2:29 am

This is adorable! I love the fabrics! And it looks far more complicated that it seems to be. Love that:-)