Recently, a customer shared a photo of a shift dress in our Facebook group. The neckline was similar to the Ivie tank bodice, and it looked like the perfect summer dress for the heatwave we were having! I also had a very similar fabric in my fabric stash from Black Bird Fabrics, so I had to recreate it. Keep reading for all the details.
Inspiration
Here is the photo that was shared. Funny enough, this is a pajama from J.Crew, but I thought it would be such a cute summer dress or pool cover-up.
Tutorial
With a few minutes of pattern alterations, you’ll be able to create this dress too. It makes the Ivie an even faster sew. For this tutorial, I used the tank pattern pieces but I also think it would be really cute with the 3/4 length sleeves.
What You Need:
- The Ivie Pattern
- Pattern paper, ruler, and marking tool for pattern alterations.
- Fabric and basic sewing supplies. No elastic is used in this view. If you decide to make this hack. If you prefer one of the sleeve options (cap or 3/4 length), then you would also need 1/4″ (0.6 cm) elastic.
Pattern Adjustments
Trace or print the Ivie Bodice Pieces, Front (#1 in either the A/B or C/D) and Back (#2).
Decide where you want your side seam to finish. I wanted a short dress, and I am 5′ 1″ (155 cm), so I decided on a 24″ (61 cm) side seam. I also wanted a 1″ (2.5 cm) hem. So I extended the side seam to my preferred length, which ended up being 13.5″ (34 cm) extra. Make sure to add the same length to the center front and center back and redraw the hem.
That’s it! You are ready to cut your fabric using your new front and back pieces along with your other Ivie pattern pieces.
- #3 Tank Sleeve Ruffle (or your preferred sleeve and bias casing)
- #11 Front Bodice Ties
- #12 Neckline Bias Casing
- #13 Tank Armhole Bias
Sewing
Sew the Ivie pattern according to the Top instructions until it’s time to hem your dress.
If you included 1″ (2.5 cm) for your hem seam allowance. First turn your dress inside out. Press fabric 1/4″ (0.6 cm) toward the wrong side at the hem. Press again, this time at 3/4″ (2 cm). Pin the hem and edgestitch it in place.
The Final Look
That’s it! Wear your new Ivie Shift Dress. If you use this tutorial, be sure to tag @chalkandnotch and add the hashtag #cnivie so we can see what you create.
