[Maggie]

Hi Charmaine! Here is a sew-a-long with photographs of the steps. Does this help? https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2018/05/cartwheel-wrap-dress-sew-along.html

[Maggie]

Next week four patterns arrive
I think I’ll be buying all five
But oops, I bought six
And as my family predicts

[Maggie]

Hi @speeedymog! I just installed a magnetic snap in a bag I’m making. The instructions said to cut out a silver dollar sized piece of fusible fleece, thin cotton batting, fleece, felt, etc. to put behind the snap in addition to regular interfacing on the fabric, which you’ve already done. I think it gives the fabric a little extra strength and padding, which would be good for a coat that’s opened and closed often. Your coat looks great!

[Maggie]

Hi @Mima! This isn’t exactly answering your question, but what about using the Girl on the Go dress pattern instead? It looks quite similar in style to the Chai Tee (the sleeves are almost identical, it seems), is already dress length, and comes in teen sizes. You could maybe even add a some width to the shoulders to make the little pleats, like the Chai Tee.

If you’d rather stick with the Chai Tee, Liesl has a tutorial on making an a-line top or dress using a tee shirt pattern. Here is the link: https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2014/02/customizing-the-raglan-the-a-line-t-shirt.html

I hope you share pictures when it’s done!

[Maggie]

Thank you for checking in, @motherof5 ! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to proceed yet. I’m a student and have a lot of homework, so my sewing has to happen in small increments on the weekends. Hopefully I can get a little more done this weekend, though! After this version for myself I’m planning a roller skate in lace for my best friend’s birthday.

I absolutely love the fringe dress you made for your daughter. I initially thought that this dress was a bit young looking, but your and @beachmom ‘s roller skates convinced me that the style is perfect for teens, too. I think that the lowered waist makes the dress look quite sophisticated, and I’m excited to sew up this simple silhouette in different fabrics for different looks.

[Maggie]

Thank you for your response, Nicole! I didn’t understand that staystitching is meant to aid in the sewing process, and doesn’t matter after that. I’ll now confidently clip to the seam line.

[Maggie]

Based on your granddaughter’s measurements, I’m wondering if you really need to increase the width at all. Her chest measurement, which is the most important measurement for a jacket, is within the size 8 measurements, and her height corresponds with a 10, only one size bigger. If there was more of a disparity between height and chest sizes you might want to grade up for shoulder and armpit ease, but in this case, I think you would probably be fine with just lengthening the jacket. I haven’t made this pattern, though, so maybe someone else who has can chime in with what they thought about the shoulder and armpit ease in the size 8.

[Maggie]

Thank you for your help, @lighteningmcstitch! I just checked out your mermaid dress – it is amazing. And thank you, @lieslgibson ! It will be a gift for my friend. I’m a little nervous, as I’ve never sewn with lace before.