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: FROM FABRIC TO FASHION: - The Saguaro Set with Fabric Mart Fabric

The weather in Southwest Florida is finally starting to warm up.  With the warm air and bright sunshine, I have been thinking about refreshing my “at home” wardrobe with some fun easy pieces this year.     I have wanted to make The Saguaro Set for some time now.   When I saw the beautiful selection of rayon challis on the Fabric Mart website, I knew now was the perfect time to get it started.   THE FABRIC I researched a lot to see which fabric would work the best for this pattern.   I chose the Deep Amaranth Pink 100% Rayon Twill Challis for my project.    It is a beautiful color that to me looks more coral. The fabric is light to medium weight and has beautiful drape.  The care instructions said gentle wash or hand wash.   I prewashed the fabric in cold water on the delicate cycle.  However, after drying it on the delicate cycle, the fabric had an almost vintage distressed look.   I was a bit co...

Made By A Fabricista: Revisiting a Pattern After Five Years

Have you ever used a sewing pattern and then immediately vowed never to sew it again? Well, I have. It all began in the spring of 2020 at the start of the pandemic lockdown. I tackled sewing projects that were more challenging to help me grow as a seamstress. There was one pattern in particular that almost did me in, the Seamwork Penny shirt dress. The Penny dress pattern has a classic button-up dress shirt style bodice with a gathered skirt and pockets. It is a beautiful take on a shirt dress, and my sister and I loved it. The only downside is that it was recommended for intermediate-level sewists and I was only an adventurous beginner back then.  I think I had only ever made one button-up shirt before attempting this Penny Dress and it didn’t even have a collar! Despite all of this, I thought “Why not try it, what’s the worst that can happen?”  Thankfully the worst didn’t happen, and the dress turned out surprisingly wearable, but I had some intense frustration at the end. I...

Made By A Fabricista: A Simple Frock for Spring

Hello friends! I’m really into sewing and wearing tent dresses at the moment. A tent dress is basically a wide A-line style gown. For this month’s project, I’ve opted to try out The Assembly Line’s Square Neck Dress. This style is a little avant-garde in its enormity and shape, and boasts the squared neckline it’s named after, plus some cute hem side slits.  All that volume is fun to move around in, plus there’s loads of air circulation which is cooling. This dress’s main feature–its wide and high squared neckline–really piqued my interest recently, and I added it to my Make Nine plans for 2025. I find it so satisfying to check off those boxes as I sew!  This beautiful shirtweight linen is a color I simply adore; a muted medium blue. Stormy skies, worn-in denim, and ocean waves all come to mind, and that is exactly what I want to be all wrapped up in. While I think a wild or large print would be amazingly on display in this big canvas of a dress, I also thought that a subtle ...