My Dotty Peter Pan Dress!

I have been experimenting with dress making for a while now and I have got to the point where I want to start challening myself by adapting patterns to suit my figure or put an original spin on current trends!

I have quite a love affair with Peter Pan collars so my pattern adapting 'To Do List' (is there such a thing!?) has included this for a while.
I chose a simple dress pattern; the New Look Workroom 6049 (available here http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/new-look-patterns/dresses/6049/ ) as I felt it had quite a sixties feel and would suit the addition of a collar!

Before stitching, I got some simple tips from Lisa Comfort at Sew Over It (http://sewoverit.co.uk/blog/ ...scroll down a bit for the collar tips). I would definitely recommend you having a look before starting this, she is fab!

Tracing the neckline facings

How I did it:
I used the neckline facings of the dress to trace the basic shape of a collar onto pattern paper before drawing on the classic Peter Pan shape.

Cutting out the collar

Using this template I cut out two collar shapes in white cotton and one in some heavy duty collar interfacing (seriously starchy...you could use something slightly more light weight!). Iron the interfacing onto one of the cotton pieces before sewing. Right sides together, stitch around the collar edge, leaving the top open. Turn the collar the right way round and Hey Presto, a super cool collar! Simply Stitch into the dress whilst you sewing your facing on and press with a super hot iron for a crisp look.




Front

Back

Next to try...Scallop Edging....I'm excited!!