[Kim]

I am sewing dresses for Easter for my three granddaughters. I am making this dress in a size 14 and a size 8. My six-year-old granddaughter measures for a size 6 for the hopscotch dress pattern. The Girl on the Go pattern starts at a size 8. I thought about using the hopscotch dress and trying to change the front to a tee shirt like neckline and a regular straight Front like the back piece. I would like to add the tie so it matches the other two dresses. The front pattern piece is wider on the hopscotch because of the gather in the front. I thought I would trim off that extra width to match the width of the back? And just tape the crossover front piece on but round the front neck piece? I’m nervous but would love some reassurance that this would work or any ideas? Thank you.

• This topic was modified 3 days ago by Kim.
• This topic was modified 3 days ago by Kim.

[Lightning McStitch]

Hi Kim,
Three granddaughters to sew for, what a treat!
I feel like using the Hopscotch pattern as a base for a dress that you want to look like the Girl on the Go is over complicating things a bit. Not that that’s not what I normally do!
Here’s a few other options to think of:
1: just make the size 8 for the size 6 kid anyway. It’s a t-shirt dress so it doesn’t need to be particularly fitted designwise anyway, and kids grow.
2: use the size 8 pattern but redraw the lines a bit when tracing the pattern to make it a bit smaller, or simply assemble it with a bigger seam allowance.
3: use the Schools Bus tee as your bodice/sleeve option in size 6 then add some length and flare to give it the Girl on the Go shape.
The School Bus tee would be a much easier pattern to start with if you really want to pattern mash as it doesn’t have the surplice front and empire line of the Hopscotch.
I’ll add a link below for all the School Bus customisations as there have been lots of dresses. You might find some inspiration there.
Have fun,
Shelley

[Lightning McStitch]

14 things to do with our basic t-shirt patterns

This one has lots of t-shirt options and there are links to blog posts about lengthening and making A-line

[Kim]

Thank you for your help and I’ll look at the customizations. I actually have four granddaughters and I started sewing Oliver and S patterns for my oldest granddaughter when she was one year old and now she’s 16! I did take out the school bus tee pattern yesterday and I placed the tracing of the hopscotch over it. I noticed that the pattern pieces are straight, rather than shaped (a lined) at the waist, and the neck line is higher. Im thinking about making a neck facing like the girl on the go too.

• This reply was modified 2 days ago by Kim.