Step 2: Modifying Your Pattern

We’re guessing quite a few of you who ordered the pattern did so to be able to change the dress to fit your specifications. There are a number of ways to modify the pattern, for example add length to the body or sleeves, make the hips wider, etc. If you’d like to make changes to your pattern you can do so relatively easily prior to cutting the fabric.

What you’ll need:
+ measuring tape or a ruler
+ chalk
Decide how much length you want to add, measure that length from the bottom edge of all pattern pieces involved and make small marks with the chalk. Then join your marks with a ruler and connect them with a straight line of chalk. The hem and sleeves of this dress are straight, so adding length is pretty easy.

* You don’t have to add extra seam allowance since it’s already added onto the pattern:
+ 1 1/2″ at the hem
+ 2″ at sleeve opening
+ 3/8″ everywhere else
*to make things easier for you, the seam allowance at the hem of the dress is 1 1/2″ wide on the pattern already, so if you just want to lengthen it 1″, I suggest taking that from the seam allowance and only folding it up 1/2″ during sewing instead of the full 1 1/2″

*The photos show me adding length to the sleeves, but it’s the same process to add length to the hem.
If you’ve made any other modifications that you’d like to share with the Uniform Project community, post your photos and details on our Facebook page to share, or email them to hello@theuniformproject and we’ll share them for you!