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Feb
20
Veronica, from sewVery, is here to give you her “Flipped Creation”
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The first time I saw the Violette Field Thread’s Josephine Pattern cover photo, I knew I had to have it! Those two little girls posing by the pond in their beautiful Josephine Dress and Top made we want this pattern so badly!
Funny thing is, I didn’t buy the pattern right away, and in fact, didn’t purchase it until I signed up to participate in Flip This Pattern! I have no idea why I hesitated, but sometimes it just takes a challenge to motivate me. I wish I had not waited so long though because I just love the features of the Josephine and chose to keep most of them in my redesign–the pintucks, ruffles, and cuffs.
While I was tempted to transform the design of this top/dress into a coat, I decided to try something a little different and make a peplum top–a popular design feature I’ve never sewn until now!
To begin, I asked my daughter, Ella, to help me pick out the fabric for her new top. She begged me to use this reproduction vintage cat cotton design that we had purchased on vacation last October. I only had one yard to work with, so I thought I would just use it to make a test run version of my Flip and then make a second one later with a different fabric. Ended up there was no need to make a second version because we both loved it when it was finished!
When I started this process, I didn’t have a clear vision of the outcome, and once the top was complete, I still didn’t! I had Ella try the top on with a couple of different pairs of pants, and none looked quite right. That’s when I realized I should stick with a 50’s vintage vibe and make her a simple pencil skirt. I quickly drafted a skirt pattern using her measurements, and about an hour later, the look was complete! Ella is not quite 5 years old, and sometimes I forget that because she acts so grown up! She loves this outfit, especially since it goes so well with her heels!
Now more about my Flip! Transforming the Josephine into a peplum top was really quite easy. First, I measured my daughter from the top of her shoulder to her waist to determine how long to cut the front and back bodice pieces. Then, using the size 6, I followed the original design and constructed the bodice with the pintucks and ruffle placket. I omitted the buttons on the placket and replaced them with sewn on snaps instead, making this a “snap” for Ella to put on all by herself!
I omitted the collar from my design in order to add more focus to the peplum feature of the top. I created the peplum by measuring the circumference of the bottom of the bodice and doing a little math to calculate the radius of the circle I needed to cut out of the fabric. I then used my serger to sew a rolled edge hem on the bottom of the peplum.
The final step of my Flip was to attach the sleeves. Again, my goal was to style the final top with a 1950’s feel to it, so I shortened the sleeves to be 3/4 length and then attached a simple cuff band to the bottom.
That’s it! It was so easy to make these alterations to the Violette Fields Thread Josephine Dress and Top Pattern to create a completely different look from the original. I may just have to make my daughter a coat after all!
I just love adding my own twist to a great pattern design. Thanks again to Ashley and Emily for inviting me to be a part of their Flip This Pattern series and giving me the chance to do just that!
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“Flip this Pattern” voting will begin tomorrow, Friday, February 21 and run through Sunday, February 23.
And, in the meantime, link up your “Flipped Creation”
{there are only a few hours left….the linky party ends tonight at 11:00 PM CST}
I love that kitty fabric! It’s super cute without being over the top. The peplum idea turned out so well. Great flip!
Thanks, Ajaire!
ADORABLE!!! She is so grown up! I want that skirt in my size!
Yes, she is almost 5 going on almost 20 with a lot of attitude to go with it lately! As far as the skirt, I’m sure we could make you one! 😉
OMG! She is absolutely PERFECT in every way! I just LOVE the photo w/ her holding onto the back of the chair! SO adult! Quite a few posts back on your site, you mentioned just how old Ella really was & I about flipped! She seems so much older in just the pix I see on my screen. I adore this top & everything you did to it & agree that the skirt is just the thing it needed!! AWESOME job!!!
Thanks, Chelle! She has always been a very mature, thoughtful little girl, and sometimes I do forget just how little she is. That said, she is pretty good at throwing a tantrum and being sassy when she wants, but I guess that description could be a woman at any age! Ha!
I never really thought about making a pencil skirt for a little one. She’s rockin’ it! Great styling!
We’ve never sewn a peplum before either…. And, yes – she is indeed almost 5, going on 20 :). I love your idea for snaps….so user-friendly for a child!
I just love those little kitties. I really like how classy your peplum is with that sleeve length. All of it is so adorable! Congratulations on winning!!!