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PIKA Dress Hack // Step-by-Step Tutorial

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The Pika top has been around for two years and people have made it as a sports bra, flowy tank, blouson tank, all versions included in the pattern. One of the most popular hacks we have seen was a dress hack. It is very easy to do and it makes a great dress for girls and women. Here is how you lengthen the pika tank into a dress:

DETERMINE LENGTH For our Size L (8) dress, we decided to go with a 10'' (25 cm) extension. It is not easy locating exactly where the pattern will sit on the body so we left some room under the arm and measured from the bottom edge of the piece to where we wanted to hit (just above the knee).

MODIFY THE PATTERN Add length to the tank back piece (E), measuring at center front and keeping it straight. Then, prolong the side seam line in the same angle as the original pattern and the bottom aligned with the center back. 


For the front tank piece (D), you will need to add at the side seam and at the bottom. Tape your paper so you have room to trace:

Using …
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Different Fabrics, Different Tops & Dresses

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It's not always easy picking a fabric for a sewing project. Sometimes we love the print but have doubts on the weight and drape. The fabric you choose can make a big difference in the final result, especially where there is ease, ruffles, or gathers involved.

To help you better visualize how various fabrics look, we made a few versions of the Michelle dress and Adele tops. This way, you can see how the choice affects the fit and style on both garments.

ADÈLE TOP For the ADÈLE Top / Tunic, the type of fabric you choose will decide on how your shoulder ruffle looks. Some people like a subtle, "waterfall" look, others prefer a statement ruffle that emphasize the shoulders. The top can be made in a knit too, but the garment becomes a bit more challenging to sew.


From left to right:
ITY knit (available in most fabric store chains)Telio's Rock n' Roll bubble crepe // 100% polyesterShirting / quilting cotton fabric See how the ruffle falls flat in the knit, stays horizon…
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Swimsuit with Removable Swim Cups // FREE Extra for the Diane pattern

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In today's post, we have a little freebie for you!

As you may know, the original DIANE one-piece swimsuit was designed with sewn-in swim cups. It makes the swimsuit very comfortable, with no "moving parts". That being said, the process can be a little intimidating for some and it requires buying a new pair of foam cups for each suit.

In order to provide an option for those who prefer removable cups, we decided to create a new front pocket piece that allows you to insert foam cups between the lining and outer fabric.

CLICK HERE to download the new, free, pocket piece. The PDF file includes the pieces and the instructions to attach it to the original one-piece front of the DIANE and is drafted for sizes P to FF (teens, adults and plus size).


If it is your first time working with a PDF pattern piece, take a look at our HOW TO PRINT A PDF guide.

You can "borrow" swim cups from another suit or buy new ones in fabrics stores and online. There are plenty on Amazon and …
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MICHELLE // Strap Adjustment

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In the previous post, we explained how to adjust the Michelle pattern for a full bust. If you often do upper bodice adjustments when making tops (shoulders, bust height), you might need to adjust the straps on the Michelle. In this blog post, we will show you how to adjust the straps for armholes and neckline that sit exactly where you want them to.

To make photos easier to understand, we used a navy fabric for the front, yellow for the back.

DO I NEED TO ADJUST THE STRAPS?

Your garment might fit as is but you might need to tweak it if:
Your neckline and armhole are too low / too highIf one of your shoulders is higher than the other DETERMINE BY HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO SHORTEN / LENGTHEN

Start by unpicking the shoulder seam. Then, put on the tank and have someone pin the straps in the optimal spot, keeping a neutral body position. It is very likely that the adjustment will be different from one shoulder to the other. That's totally normal. If you need to lengthen, don't worry, th…
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