Lily Bird Studio's Kate Dress Adaptation: A Tutorial

Hey guys!  My name is Hayley and I blog over at Welcome to the Mouse House.   I was so flattered when these lovely ladies asked me to pop over and share a few tutorials for all of you. 

I was even more excited when they sent me a few Lilybird Studios patterns to try out because I had been eyeing these up for quite a long time.  Swoon!  Not only does she have amazingly cute patterns, Cecilia from Lilybird Studios is just so sweet and friendly.   I can't wait to try out more of her patterns.

For this post, I was asked to take the Kate Dress and turn it into a tunic top with pockets.  I can't even tell you how long I have wanted to try out this pattern and I wasn't disappointed.  

I was also given the pattern for the Adjustable Waist pants and I will share a tutorial another day for adding a cute little peekaboo cuff, so stay tuned for that!

Peek a boo!

This outfit is going to be perfect for when Ainsley returns to school in the fall.

Okay, let's get started on taking the Kate Dress and turning it into a tunic top with pockets.

Start with this… super adorable top...

and end up with this… extra adorable top with pockets!

   Print out your pattern.   Grab a shirt from your child's closet and lay it on top of the pattern piece.  Pull the shirt 1/2 inch down from the top shoulder piece. 

(Lily Bird seam allowance is 1/4 inch) 

You are now going to make this a tunic length that hits the child around the hip area.  Cut the pattern piece 2-3 inches below the hem of the tshirt.  Double check the size by holding the pattern piece up to your child.  You will want the finished product to land at your child's hips and you will need 1 inch for hemming. 

Sew up the pattern according to the directions.  Make sure you pay attention to the 1/4 inch seam allowance ( a lot of pdf patterns tend to be 1/2 inch, so you always want to check this!)

You will end up with a super cute top!

Now, I should note that I did add ric rac instead of piping and I only did 2 buttons instead of the 6 that she calls for.  These are all easy switch ups that anyone can do and they create a unique product!

Let's move on to the pockets!

These are super easy… I promise.

Print out the pattern pieces I have provided HERE.

If you are doing a size 12 months, I suggest you slightly reduce the % when printing so that they aren't giant :)  

Cut your fabric according to the pattern.

Grab a lining and a main pocket piece.

Sew them together, right sides together.  Follow the red line below.

Turn right side out and press.

Using a gathering stitch, gather the top of the pocket.

Make your pocket binding pieces 

Slide the pocket into the binding and adjust the gathering until it fits perfectly. Sew the binding as close to the edge as possible.

Sew the pockets onto each side of the tunic.  Try to angle the pockets back a bit, so that it is comfortable for the child to use.

Only sew the sides and curved edge… not the top! You want your child to be able to use it and not be all angry that you sewed your pocket shut.   My daughter would probably flip her lid if I put a pocket on her outfit and then she couldn't access it :)

Also, it is a bit hard to tell because I am just so awesome at matching up side seams ;), but I actually put the pocket about 1/3 of the way past the side seam…. Can you tell?  It puts the pocket a bit more to the side, rather than the front.  

That's it!  You now have a cute shirt with pockets

Ainsley loves loves loves it!

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