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Sewing Pattern Hack Ideas and Tips

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Welcome to my carefully curated collection of sewing pattern hacks. Here, you will find inspiration, from ready-to-wear or couture fashion brands, to recreate your favorite looks. Included is a clear and smart roadmap for those looking to craft moder...

My collection offers practical tips, effective hacks, and essential tool suggestions. Regardless of your sewing skillfulness, here you'll find a pathway from pattern paper to chic attire, simplified. 
Included are pattern suggestions, construction tips, material and accessory recommendations, along with references to video tutorials and articles for a well-rounded sewing experience. This space is more than just a collection; it's where high fashio...
Sections
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Color Block Maxi Dress

Tips for making the Chloe Leather Maxi Dress 

 
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The inspiration: Made of leather, this relaxed maxi dress has an A-line silhouette with a V-neckline and shoulder straps. Zip fastening Composition: 100% leather (domestic lamb)
Color Block Leather Maxi Dress By Chloé | Moda Operandi
 
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Suggested pattern: This is a version of the Chloe dress I created on Sewist.com.  It's not an exact match, but it has the same silhouette.  You can wear this into the fall/winter season with a top underneath or under a coat.
Design 5862777- Chloe- Patchwk Women Clothing Dress Sewing Pattern Sewist
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Suggested Faux Leather Fabric for the Chloe Maxi Dress
Stretch Faux Leather Fabric, Spandex Pleather Stretch Vinyl Spandex For Leggings, Dresses, Apparel, Stretch PU leather, Eco leather
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To sew challenging materials such as faux leather, a teflon foot is useful due to its non-stick coating that allows it to glide smoothly along the fabric. When purchasing a teflon foot, it's important to consider factors like stitch length, thread we...
Teflon Presser Foot
 
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I recommend using a #5 invisible zipper for this project as it is stronger than other invisible zippers and can withstand tension caused by medium to heavy weight fabrics.
Unique YKK #5 Heavy Conceal Zipper, 24in, White
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If I were to choose a fabric for the bodice lining of this dress, I would get tricot.
Matte Milliskin Tricot
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When selecting a needle size for various leathers, it's important to consider the thickness of the leather and the thread you're using. For thin leather, opt for size 10 or 11 needles, while thicker leather requires size 14 or 16 needles. For most le...
Schmetz Leather Machine Needle Size 18/110
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This stretch denim is a great fabric choice for the Patchwork Maxi Dress. Adding different shades or colors would make it even cooler..
Stretch Denim Fabric By The Yard
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Tips for how to hem leather
DIY Leather Hem...Viewer Request
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Instead of stitching a hem on leather or faux leather, opt for using leather glue.  It is also useful for gluing seams open so that they lie flat.
Fiebing's Leathercraft Cement
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Want to try a different type tailor's ‘chalk’? Here's what they say about it: “This chalk pencil works so well, especially on darker coloured fabric. It’s the second time I ordered it and I still have a bit of the pencil I had purchased two years ago...
Tailors Chalk Pencil (Peel-Off Type)
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Karney dress -DIY

DIY the popular Karney Dress by Dissh

 
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DIY Tips for the Karney Dress by Dissh
Karney dress diy
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Suggested Linen fabrics for the Karni Maxi dress
Linen Fabric By The Yard
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This is a must have when sewing in invisible zipppers.
YRDQNCraft Invisible Zipper Presser Foot
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Invisible zippers
22Inch 40Pcs Nylon Invisible Zipper 20 Colors
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These roller chalk markers are great for fine line accuracy with less mess.
Sewing Chalk Marker for Fabrics (Red - White - Yellow)
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Infinity Dress

DIY this simple Infinity dress with a skirt pattern and self-drafted

 
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This is an easy look to create using Ankara Print fabrics. Watch Video
3-Spring/Summer sewing project inspiration: Infinity Dress #springdress2023 #summerdress #infinitydress #sewinginspiration #sewingtiktok #blacksewingtiktok #tailormadethursday #pdfpatterns #madetomeasurepatterns dress inspo: shop-sincere[dot]com
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I have personally ordered from Tess World Designs and the quality is excellent.
TessWorldDesigns - Etsy

Button Front Shirt Pattern Hack ideas

Pattern hack ideas for KnowMe ME2052 by Beaute' J'adore 

 
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This is a very versatile pattern as it is and for pattern hacking. Grab your copy and check out some ideas for reimagining these pieces.
ME2052 | Misses' Shirt and Pants by Beaute' J'adore
 
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This shrug style shirt is a great option for hacking Know Me pattern ME2052 by Beautejadore.
Layered cotton-blend poplin mini shirt dress
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Tailor's chalk pencils are essential to executing a successful pattern hack.
Fabric Chalk Pencil
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This flexible ruler is my most frequently used tool, next to my scissors, when I hack patterns.
Flexible Ruler

Fabrics

 
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The most beautiful lace fabric to create with.
Guipure Lace Fabric

Alaia Ruffled Wool Tweed Dress


 
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INSPIRATION: Alaia ruffled wool tweed mini dress OUT OF STOCK
Ruffled wool-tweed mini dress
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PATTERN SUGGESTION: I like this KnowMe 2034 pattern for the bodice portion of the dress. Depending on the construction, I would eliminate the pockets.
The ruffle is easy to draft.
ME2034
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Zara

 
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This is my fabricepic for a dupe of the jacket that Jackie Aina wore.
Tweed Fabric By the yard
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This is my pattern recommendation for the hack.
Misses' Raglan Sleeve Bomber Jackets (PDF)
 
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Multi Colors Pink and Beige W/Ribbons/Gold Sequins - French Tweed - 152 cm Wide.
Multi Colors Pink and Beige W/Ribbons/Gold Sequins - French Tweed - 152 cm Wide.
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Raincoat Patternhack

Using a Moncler raincoat for inspiration, I’m sharing tips for how to hack, simplicity s6987 by Mimi G. and create your own version of the coat
 
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INSPIRATION: Re-create this look with a few changes
Potet Long Nylon Parka By Moncler | Moda Operandi
 
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This is the sewing pattern I recommend for doing this hack.
S9687

Inspo:Tess draped asymmetrical Maxi by Brandon Maxwell

For this sewing project hack, we'll be taking inspiration from the Tess draped asymmetrical maxi dress by Brandon Maxwell. We'll keep the elegant draping and ruching at the hip area of the skirt. However, the bodice will be modified using a different...
 
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INSPIRATION: Here are the key details of the Tess Draped Asymmetrical Maxi Dress by Brandon Maxwell: 
• Asymmetric one-shoulder bodice design • Maxi skirt cut on the bias for draping • Ripples of subtle ruching along the hip • Fringed trim detailing  • Lightweight, flowy fabrics for fluid movement Priced at $2895 retail- I know you could save a few dollars by making it yourself.
The Tess Draped Asymmetric Maxi Dress By Brandon Maxwell | Moda Operandi
 
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PATTERN SUGGESTION: Bodice design inspo
S9451
 
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PATTERN SUGGESTION: Skirt design inspo. Butterick 6249 View C is a good option for the lower half of the skirt of the dress. Instead of using the aline or circular skirt below the hem, replaced it with a bubble hem. You will also need to shorten the ...
B6249

Spanx Dress

 
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INSPIRATION:  You have to go to the site to check out the way this dress moves. I must have this fabric.
AirEssentials Tie-Waist Tank Dress
 
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This is the fabric described for the AirEssentials Spanx Tie-Waist Tank Dress
Spacer Scuba Knit Fabric
 
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PATTERN SUGGESTION: McCalls M7533 view A is my pick for creating a similar dress to the Spanx dress.  Just add a 1" (+/-) band collar to complete the look. I love the curved hem versus side slits.
M7533 | Misses'/Women's Fitted, Sheath Dresses - Simplicity
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Revolve Remixes

 
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INSPIRATION: Super cute drawstring bubble hem Shirtdress.
Lovers and Friends Maci Mini Dress in Bright White from Revolve.com
 
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PATTERN SUGGESTION: I chose Vogue, V1933, view A, as a similar pattern to hack. It has a similar sleeve, button down front, collar, and it's an aline silhouette, so there is volume at hem that can be adjusted to your liking. All that needs to be add...
V1933
 
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FABRIC: The original dress is made of a stretch Poplin. I found this similar match. Now you can play with color as the original dress is only available in white. Note: the pattern also suggests Poplin as one of the fabrics suggested for the dress.
Assorted Colors Stretch Cotton Poplin Fabric | 48" Wide x Sold by Yard | Clothing | Medium Weight | Lining | Summer | Quilting | Face Mask

Patchwork Maxi dress 2

 
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Hear me out. I know these are curtains, but they're LINEN/COTTON BLEND curtains in a beautiful patchwork print and they're 55"W x 63"L. fabric is fabric. I think this will make the perfect patchwork maxi dress scroll through to see the inspiration ph...
JAIJY Cotton Linen Patchwork Boho Curtains, 1 Panel