turning a dress into a coat.

So I don't know how much of a tutorial this will end up being, but it may open you eyes to look at patterns in a whole new way!

So here we are with the two pieces...

and both are made from a very simple A-line dress (I don't even know what exact pattern it is!). After sewing these dresses now for about 2 years, I've decided that I love simple patterns, and adding sweet details at the end.

So first, to look at the dress pattern (and I say dress because it started off as one, and I just altered it to be tunic length), it has simple snaps at the top and I added a little detail on the front with the lace, buttons, etc.

For this photo shoot, I wanted something simple to show through the jacket, but know that a 1 year old doesn't often keep on what you put on her..so I also had to make sure that if she took off the jacket, that what was underneath would still be suitable for family pics..and I love how it turned out.

On to making the jacket. I knew I wanted it to layer over this tunic and so while looking at the pattern I just decided to try out an idea and went with it!  Here is the simple version of what I did:

And I know that is the over simplified version, but really, that is what I did.  I put the jacket on my daughter to measure where to sew the top at, my mom taught me how to do a simple sleeve..(which is another tutorial in and of itself once it is mastered in my own house!):), and then I just cut down the front a bit off centered. I finished all of the seams and then added a bit of detail.

I made a sweet flower to put up by the snap closure.

I LOVE the ruffle I added around the neck and down one side of the jacket.

And when I put them on together..I just adored the sweet peek of color that popped out.

And of course, I couldn't be happier about the pictures we got back in return.

So take a look at those simple patterns you have..and see what else you can make!