Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Hacking Patterns

Do you like to hack your sewing patterns?  To hack a pattern, you are basically altering it from its original design.  Most times I see an inspiration online or in-stores and I check my pattern stash to see what pattern I have that I could easily modify to fit the design.  For this blog post I used 3 different fabrics to create 3 different looks by hacking the selected patterns I used.

For the first look I took McCall’s 7999 which is a TNT pattern for me.  To hack it I first converted the pattern from a set-in sleeve to a raglan sleeve style.  I had an inspiration picture that I referenced of a knit dress sketch. The rib knit I choose was perfect for this project.  I had a good weight and excellent stretch retention which I liked for this design.  I also liked the speckle detail that was in the fabric.


Once I made my style lines, I then created open curved shapes along the sleeve seamline and added binding.  I really love my new dress; this is the perfect item to add to my fall wardrobe.

The second look was based off another sketch that became my inspiration.  I loved the high low hem line and exaggerated sleeves.  I knew the perfect pattern would be Simplicity 8889, another favorite of mine.  To start I changed the hem line making it longer in the front with curved lines blending to the hem.  Next was to make the sleeve, I came across a diagram to draft an exaggerated sleeve. Using the slash and spread method I modified the sleeve from a short sleeve.   It required great amount of ease which was then pleated back into the armhole.

The fabric I used was a sateen, the amount of hold and structure the fabric created was beautiful!  The sheen on the fabric created such a lux feel and look.  I loved sewing with this fabric, and I created beautiful buttonholes on it as well.  With the weight of the fabric the look would be great as just a shirt or even a like jacket to through over other shirts. 




For my last look I was so happy to be able to recreate.  I had this picture saved as inspiration for a long time.  When I came across this pinstripe denim, I knew it would be perfect for this make.  It very lightweight and great for shirting styles.   I used Simplicity 9239 which is a jacket pattern.  What drew me to this pattern to hack it was the silhouette and the drop shoulder detail.

To hack I first converted the pattern into a raglan style line.  I then also lowered the drop shoulder to be closer to the original inspiration picture.  Since this was going to be a shirt instead of a jacket, I cut the center front on the fold.  Additionally, I extended the length of the front and back hem making a high low,



The most unique detail and what really brings it all together is the soutache decorative braid along the front seam lines.  I love this detail and what really makes it unique.  I made markings on the shirt for placement, but the actual motif is completely freehand.  I tried to make both sides look as even as possible. For now, I just have the ends tied off but would love to find a fringe tassel or something similar to add later.


If you are considering hacking some patterns for yourself my best advice is to look at the line drawings and not the actual picture itself.  Often time the styling or fabric choice on a pattern cover will have us miss an opportunity for a great pattern.  Pinterest is also a great source to pull inspiration.  See what style lines and silhouettes of patterns are like your inspo.  Also don’t be afraid to mix elements.  Take a sleeve from one pattern and add it to the bodice of another, give that design a new interpretation. 

JASMINE  @sewmuchjazz


Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: RIB KNIT, KNITS, COTTON, SATEEN, & DENIM.

Comments

  1. I could not pull off the bold styling, but I love it on you. Creative and inspiring.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: A Tipsy Martini Transitional Three Piece Look

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon with Sharon Sews with my latest Fabricista make – a three-piece set I can wear as the weather transitions to fall here in Texas. It may look like a summer outfit but there will days filled with sunshine and high temps well into November.  At first glance it looks like a nice, lightweight jacket, top and pants. But look closer – it’s sewn from the designer Tipsy Martini cotton sateen that was originally used by the designer for a pajama set. Now I could have sewn myself a pair of pajamas using the Closet Core Carolyn Pajama pattern (available at Fabric Mart)  and replicated the designer pajamas.  But if I had gone that route the only ones who would have seen this adorable kitschy fabric would be my family.  This print is much too cute to hide out at home.  This Tipsy Martini cotton sateen fabric was lovely to sew. I used black thread, an 80/12 universal needle, and Palmer/Pletsch Perfect Fuse Medium interfacing (link here). Note that this is a rayon fu

Made By A Fabricista: Hooray for Cozy Fall Sews!

Greetings, all! I am in such high spirits with the best-of-all-seasons just beginning and change is finally in the air. I always rejoice when the sweatiest time of the year passes and we can all take a deep breath and gear up for cozier times.  Neighborhood Patterns is a new-to-me designer, and I came across them on Instagram in late summer and fell in love with the Plain Jane Skirt. This is such a simple A-line skirt, but with nice details like large inseam pockets and an optional drawstring, and though I’m sure I could draft this style myself, the appeal of having it all done for me was too tempting to pass up. A sew such as this is a lovely palate-cleanser and this was the first project I sewed after returning from a cross-country trip. Perfect! The gorgeous plaid flannel is exactly what I want to be wearing in the fall. The fabric is SO soft and a pleasure to snuggle up in. Because flannel does not have much body and is prone to stretching or shifting with all its mechanical give,

Made By A Fabricista: Quilted Jacket Chronicle

What do you get when mixing the best things about apparel sewing and machine quilting? A quilted jacket! It's funny that I elected to sew myself a quilted jacket for this Fabricista blog because I don't consider myself much of a quilter. I can count on my hands the number of quilted projects I've made over the last few years. While I fully appreciate the end product of quilting, I don't normally gravitate toward starting quilting projects. That's why making a quilted jacket is a new and exciting project for me! It gives me the fun of making a quilt on a much smaller scale. If you are an avid apparel sewist and are new to quilting, this is the perfect project to take for a quilting test drive! For my quilted jacket, I used the Seamwork Easton Jacket pattern. I decided to stick with a solid-colored fabric for the jacket's exterior and ordered 4 yards of Dark Umber Brown Lycra Stretch Canvas Suiting from the Fabric Mart website. I wanted a contrasting color for the