Broken arm-friendly dress modifications

When Project Run and Play announced the Knot Dress from the Sewing Rabbit as the March challenge, I knew I wanted to play along. I actually bought the pattern as part of a sew fab pattern bundle a few years ago, but it was re-released as a free pattern last month. It hadn't been on the top of my sewing list simply because there are just so many things on my sewing list, but then Stella broke her arm (falling off the couch - so original) around the same time the challenge was posted.

You might be wondering why those events are connected, but I soon discovered that only tank tops would fit over her cast, and only a couple dresses. A dress that fastened at the shoulder? Perfect!

So I printed the pattern and picked out some fabric from the stash (flannel shirting from Joann's), and geared up to sew. I already knew I would omit the back cutout and knot to make it more Pacific NW spring weather appropriate, but then I completely changed my mind. I started thinking about the tulip sleeve from the Oliver + s Fairy Tale dress (blogged here), and the lapped shoulders from the Figgy's Sunki dress I just made. And couldn't stop thinking about it. The construction could be really fun. Plus, I felt like a short sleeve would be truly more weather appropriate. That's the wonderful thing about sewing, you get inspired and then adapt to your needs!

Check out that giant elbow on the cast. Not sleeve friendly!

So I traced some pattern pieces and adapted them, added some snaps to the shoulder and added the knot dress skirt. The shoulders could probably use a couple buttons to keep from pulling up as you can see in the picture, but I didn't have anything just right in my button jar, so that'll have to wait for the next Joann's trip. I had to slim down the knot straps so they would work in thick flannel (found that out after securely sewing them to the skirt at midnight last night), and rounded the corners so they looked better with the rest of the dress. Flannel was not the most fun fabric to sew this in, but it's really comfy!

 

Love that tulip sleeve!

It's extremely twirly (thank you selvage to selvage skirt pieces) so Stella LOVES it.

You know it's twirly enough when it shows your undies.



The sun came out and I didn't adjust my settings so this photo is overexposed, but this is the best front view.

If you'd like to know in more detail how I made the dress, let me know in the comments and I'll write
up some more details and post some in-progress pics.

I've loved looking through the linky party. So many great creations!

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