Deer & Doe Plantain Shirt Hack

Today we’re going to try out a summer dress hack with a tried and true pattern – the Deer and Doe Plantain Shirt which we are sewing up for the Sewalicious blog!  If you haven’t sewn up this shirt before you can access it for free on the Deer and Doe website.

Plantain one of my favorite everyday shirts – the cut is really flattering and I love the neckline so why not hack it into a dress?

Well I did just that with this drapey Carnival Viscose Jersey from Sewalicious!  This is a bold print but I think is perfect for summertime – it’s fun, festive and bright!

Here’s what you need to do:

Get your free copy of the Deer and Doe Plantain Shirt.  Measure yourself based on their directions to find the right fit.  Once you have cut out your pattern take out your tracing paper (I used medical paper), your drafting rulers, pencil/marker and your measuring tape.

Lay the finished front side of the pattern against you in the same position it would be worn.  Take note of where the hem lies on the centerfront of your body.  Set the pattern aside and using your measuring tape, measure from the hemline point on the centerfront of your body to the length you would like the dress to be – keep the hem allowance in mind as well (you can add 1” to 2” for this depending on your preference).  Record this measurement.

Next, cut two pieces of tracing paper a little longer than the skirt portion of your dress.  Tape the paper to the back of the pattern.  Starting with the front piece- from the centerfront hemline of the front pattern measure down in a straight line the measurement you just recorded then measure across at the hem past the side seam of the original pattern.  Use your curve form ruler to match the original hip line with the new hemline at the side seam.  You can make this as wide as you would like. Repeat for the back pattern then cut out your new pattern.

The end result should look like this:

All that is left is to cut out your fabric, sew, and wear!!

For more on the Deer and Doe Plantain Shirt click HERE!