Hello everybody! This week's tutorial is a super awesome, super easy pattern hack to one of our favorite Liberty Jane patterns.
By this point, you've probably heard of (or maybe even made) the LJC Peplum Top. It's a great little pattern that features a zipper closure in the back -- so you get to learn a new skill or two, while making a super cute top!
But this little top can easily be made into an adorable dress, as well. It's super easy to do -- since the peplum is cut from a rectangle, all you have to do is cut a slightly larger rectangle, and then continue on as before.
(Click on the image, or the link above, to view this pattern on Pixie Faire...)
**GIVEAWAY UPDATE: We have a winner! It's Anna, who said her favorite skirt length is "knee length, because it is modest yet stylish". Good choice Anna! We'll be in touch with you via email soon :)
1. Take the Peplum pattern piece, and some extra copy paper. Tape paper to the bottom and front edge of the Peplum pattern.
2. Draw a line 1/2" away from Center Front, to make a new Center Front. This will add a bit of fullness to the new skirt.
3. Draw a new hemline, 2" below the original hemline, intersecting with the new center front line.
Basically, you just lengthened the peplum 2" to become skirt length, and added an inch of width too (that extra inch helps the skirt fit smoothly around the doll's hips). *Note - These are the specific measurements used to make the dress pictured. If you want to make a longer skirt, simply add a few more inches. If you want a fuller skirt you can add more to the width of the ruffle and just gather it to fit the waistband.
4. Extend the center back to meet the new hemilne and transfer all pattern markings if desired (FOLD, notches, and seam allowance lines) Cut out your modified pattern piece.
5. Follow all the same directions that are in the pattern to sew up your awesome new dress -- the only difference is that the hem of the peplum won't cover the bottom of the zipper (like the instructions tell you to do in step 27). One of our amazing seamstresses came up with this couture technique to cover the raw edge of the zipper tape with a tiny fabric scrap and some steam a seam! You can do something like this or simply cut the end at a point and apply a bit of fray check to keep it from fraying.
Congratulations! You've just hacked a pattern successfully!
Want to win this adorable little dress? Great! We'd love to send it to one lucky winner!
To enter, just leave a comment below answering this question:
Which skirt length do you like to dress your dolls in? Why?
We'll pick a winner on Monday, July 20th, and get in touch with the winner via email.
Thanks everyone for entering, and have fun with this!
For Pixie Faire,
Cinnamon
Great pattern to learn the basics of pattern adjustment and modification to your doll’s specific measurements i,e. length.. .
I prefer below the knee but not floor length
I think this style lends itself to above the knee. Very cute dress.
I prefer a mid to short length dress. Easy on, easy off for girls who are younger. Longer dresses are sometimes harder to get on and store.
I like it just riggght above the knee, because then i can use it as a short dress, A cute top, I can pair it with a libby jane jeans, or shorts!
I Love this longer length, and this fabric is so striking and perfect.
I make clothes for my granddaughter and asked me to make her a dress, not a long top so she prefers mid calf length for her dresses and skirts. This is a beautiful pattern and very easy to make. Thanks.
I like just above the knee or longer. I think the mini skirts are a bit to short for my daughter’s doll.
Have made a several from this pattern. I made one just above the knee to which I added a ruffle to the bottom – a cute look.
I like a dress a little bit above the knees.
Knee length because that it is modest yet stylish.
I like knee length for every day and a longer length if the skirt is made of a softer, flowing fabric. I think the length of the skirt depends on the occasion.
I like both lengths, I will make cute little summer dresses at knee length and extend the length to a tea length for a more formal look. I love this pattern. You can do so much with it to change the look of the top to dress by just adding a few inches.
We like right above the knee, it is very cute like that.
It totally depends on the style, but a maxi length would be fun to try for this dress!
Above the knee for this adorable dress!
Knee length
I prefer at the knee length because that is what my granddaughter chose.
Mini or knee length looks the best to me. It makes them look young.
This dress would look good at multiple lengths. The length featured would be my preference for a modern style. Since peplum skirts and dresses have popped up throughout the history of costume other lengths give us a feel for different periods or else different usages. The late 1950s early 1960s would have seen this dress at mid-knee length. It also could be lengthened further for the 1970s maxi-dress. I think I would like to see this in an elegant evening length either tea-length(at mid-calf) or else full length.
Summer outfits, above the knee and winter outfits, below.
I like knee length. It looks stylish and a perfect length for the AG dolls.
I like them just at the knee top—though it really depends on the style/theme of the dress. It depends on the whims of the child I’m sewing for too.
My preference is just above the knee. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
I love the dress just above the knee. It looks more stylish.
I like just above the knee for full skirts and at knee for straight skirts. This is the length I encourage my granddaughter to wear her skirts. Mini with tights or leggings works too.
knee length
I think knee length would be best. I try to make clothes for my daughter’s doll that are similar in modesty to what I want her to wear.
For every day dresses I like the knee length best.
Full length for the historical dolls, and all lengths for the others.
I would say knee-ish length…either just above, right at, or just below the knee. But who doesn’t like a fancy schmancy ball gown now and then?
Me gusta incluso para mi. Prefiero por encima de la rodilla, es más airoso y juvenil.Este patrón da mucho juego se pueden hacer infinitas modificaciones.Gracias
Most of the dresses I make are mini or mid thigh length. I think it is a fresh, modern look that is very cute on my granddaughters dolls.
The length that looks best depends on the style, but in general, for everyday dresses for our doll I prefer right around the knee.
I like just around the knee the best. With the doll and in life. That looks best with a sweater, vest or alone, too. I thought I was going to be the one with the old-fashioned taste but I am not the only one who likes this length. Thank you for your generosity. There is a lot going on at Liberty Jane’s.
i am only now starting my adventure into creating doll clothes. I have a granddaughter age 6, which explains this new hobby.
Love to make the long length fancy dresses, but for cute cotton outfits knee length works great and the girls love whatever is new and exciting. Not a great fan of the real short skirts.
I make the dresses at or just below the knee, like I used to wear in the 50s
I prefer the knee length for day and full length for evening.
I’m always looking for new ways to change the look of a standard pattern. I’ve made floor length for the Marine Ball in November, ankle length for the Halloween Costume party, knee length for that special business meeting and above the knee (but not quite mini-skirt) for a quick trip to the Mall with my girlfriends. However, I do believe I enjoyed making the floor length ball gown the most.
The length of the doll dresses I make depends on what style I’m going for. For a historical dress I like ankle length or a little above. For a fifties style dress (my fave!) I go just so it hits the knee. Then i add a petticoat for extra fullness. It really just depends on style I make. But my favorite length would have to be the fifties party dress.
I like them a little above the knee to mini length. Love the idea of lengthening the peplum top
I like a wide variety of lengths. I often experiment with swapping out different skirt lengths with different bodices and sleeve styles. I rarely repeat the same exact look with one pattern. I let each piece of fabric determine the skirt length.
I like just below the knee to mid shin length. This is the length my daughter wears and I like to make doll dresses/skirts to match.
I prefer short dresses because they look so young and fresh, just like the dolls!
Just below the knee!
Which skirt length do you like to dress your dolls in? Why?
I like the “just above the knee” length. I feel this makes skirts look cute and very feminine. Mini skirts are just too short, and if you go too long then the skirt looks old fashioned. Just above the knee is ladylike and adorable. :)
Thanks for the tutorial. I like the dresses to land around the knee, that way you can show off all of the doll’s pretty shoes.
I don’t have a favorite. It depends on the pattern, the fabric and what embellishments or accessories I want to use. It’s wonderful to be able to adjust patterns for different lengths.
I’m not sure how to answer this. My doll is not dressed. I can’t locate the dress she came with so right now she’s in her undies. I don’t have any other clothes for her but if I did I would probably dress her in knee length because that’s what I like to wear.
I prefer the dresses to be at the knee or below, because I don’t want their underclothes showing.
Love this pattern. Have made several outfits with this pattern. I think the knee length dress looks the best, but have made it shorter several times. When I make it shorter, I also make a pair of knee length pants with a matching ruffle to go along with it. Very cute. Thanks
It’s a pretty fitted top. I think the fitted style looks best to me as a dress.
The skirt length I like my dolls dressed in is below the knee or on the ground! This way when they sit down their under wear doesn’t show.
For me it depends on the season & of course the material being used!!!! I personally like denim while my mother likes cotton; for summer/hot days, I like mini’s but not to short, above the knee; while for winter I like tea length, below the knee, with leggings. We’re both sew for my niece (her great grand daughter) & it will usually be something of a combination piece. Depends on what we have & what babygirl wants.
It really depends on the dress and look I am going for. For something fun like the this dress I like 4" length, mid thigh. For something more formal, just above the knee.
I love the versatility of the patterns. I don’t have the peplum pattern but now it’s on my wish list!
Thanks for sharing!!
I love tea length dresses, so ‘my girls’ generally wear that.
I like to dress my dolls with skirts and dresses that fall over the knee and on the knee because it gives the clothes a more modern look and I love dresses that I would want to enlarge and wear!
I like this tutorial on altering the pattern. I’ve often wanted to change a pattern, but don’t quite know how to go about it. You can make this dress any length you want by simply adjusting to the pattern. By changing the fabric or adding tights and turtlenecks, it is good to go in any season.
I feel like the shorter length is ideal for the current weather. However, as summer fades out and fall rolls in, i would love to sew a turtleneck-type top to go underneath the longer length, as well as some cute leggings! It all depends on the season to me.
I like their skirts and dresses above the knee. I think the dolls are young and look cuter with the shorter lengths
Above the knee is just so cute especially for summer! Thanks for the chance to win this beautiful outfit.
Depends on the pattern and the season. Above the knee for flirty little summer dresses, and below the knee in cooler weather with tights or leggings.
For me, it depends on the pattern and look. I sew for a precious 5 year old. The modern dresses and skirts have been just above the knee. The party dresses have been tea or ballet length. Princess costumes have been full length ball gowns.
I really like them at or just above the knee. I usually make them according to the pattern but once or twice have needed to lengthen a dress so that her who who wasn’t hanging out..lol
I like all different lengths. Depends on the fabric that you choose.
My dolls wear mostly ankle or tea length skirts and dresses…
Knee length or longer so I can skip the tights!
I like to create doll dresses that are above the knee so the dress doesn’t seem boxy or dowdy. The exception to this is when I create a ball gown; then the gown is floor length. I love the Peplum Top. I can hardly wait to sew a Peplum dress! Covering the zipper tape with a bit of fabric was terribly ingenious. Kudos to the amazing seamstress who figured a way to solve that problem. I never did until now! Thank her for me!!!!!
i prefer just above the knee and floor length skirts /dress. ;)
To me the length of the skirt depends on the fabric chosen for the project: a bold print or rich texture might need a little more length to show off the design, but small dots make for cute short skirts. I enjoy imagining how doll clothes will look sewn in the wide variety of fabrics available today.
I prefer to dress my dolls in a length just above the knee, but it really depends on the type of dress I’m making. LOVE the idea of using steam-a-seam and fabric to enclose the zipper end and think I’ll be using that from now on, as it’s so much nicer a finish than just fray check!
Depends on the pattern….mostly knee length or a little longer.
I like the skirt lenght just above the knee. They are young and have pretty legs, so they can wear it well!
I prefer just above the knee. They look sweet just like they are and great with tights. I can dress them up with accessories and shoes or dress them down with flip flops or sandals. I love my 18" dolls and Pixie Faire makes dressing them fun and affordable.
I like long dresses (like the medieval dress pattern) because they are more modest and when they bend over or sit you can’t see there underwear. :)
I like a skirt that ends just above the knee.
Mini with tights!!! That’s the young way!!
I think tea length is very pretty,
I like skirts to come to just above the knee. I sew for my daughter, and that’s where she tends to like to wear her own skirts.
I prefer to make skirts mid-length, just above the knee so the girls can show off their cute little knees but still be modest! ;-D
I prefer tea length dresses and skirts on my American Girl dolls. I do use other lengths as well though. Kind of depends on the dress and the look I’m looking for. It is really nice to have a variety. :)
Just above the knee please. after all I am a young girl!
I like just below the knee. If it’s a mini shirt, I like to put tights under it. It’s just the way I prefer them. Even when I make a dress for my granddaughter, I make it just below her knee. I think it looks classy.
I usually make my skirts and dresses just above the dolls knee. That the way my precious granddaughter like her friend to look.
I let the pattern decide how long to make my dresses. I often add or subtract length based on pattern. I tend to make modern dresses a little shorter and older styles a little longer. But always remember these dolls are girls not teenagers or college students and I like to dress them appropriately as there owners are young girls as well.
I like to put my dolls in a dress midway between the thigh and knee. I think it can be funky or cute this way.
For me it depends on the dress. For the most part though, I like just under the knee or an inch or so under the knee. I’m not sure why, I just do.
I love the floor length since I sew for my niece and she is into everything princess. :D
AG dolls look best, in my opinion, in dresses or skirts that are mini length or knee length. These are also the easiest to sew as well.
I like the skirt to come just to or slightly below the knees . I think that length is more becoming to the age of the doll. If mini I like leggings or tights under it. I must be my old fashioned age that wants more modesty. (73)
I also prefer just above the knee for the dresses for the 18" doll.
I like to dress my dolls in either mini length or knee length if I want it to have a more vintage vibe.
I usually make my dolls skirt length just above the knee.
I usually make my dresses just above the need or a little shorter. It seems a bit more modern and I can easily put a pair of leggings with them if I want.
I tend to make the dresses mini-length like the girls wear, though I really enjoy the historic patterns and the Victorian girl’s length of mid-calf with pantalettes / stockings peeping out!
I typically make skirts and dresses mini length as that is how my granddaughters prefer them. They give a final look of modern young girls. Every doll has pretty panties or bike shorts under just like my granddaughters. Love the peplum top (I’ve made 3 so far ) so now I am on my way to upgrade the pattern to dresses. Such a fun look!
Typically I too like mid-length just above the knee but lately we have been favoring skater skirts (think it has to do with the summer heat!) so I’m going with a shorter, skater skirt length vote. Thanks! :)
Delores Rocha
July 17, 2015
I like about an inch above the knee. It is very stylish.