How to make an A-Line Driftwood Dress

This simple hack transforms the original Driftwood Blouse and Dress into a comfortable, gently-flared A-line dress that can be worn belted or unbelted.  

A-line dresses tend to require less fabric than those with gathered skirts, so this hack is a great option if you have a garment to upcycle or a smaller cut of special fabric. 

Materials

  • Driftwood Blouse sewing pattern
  • Extra fabric yardage (see Extra Fabric Requirement chart below)
  • Paper to extend pattern pieces
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Tape

Extra Fabric Requirement

Add the amount in the chart below to the yardage required to make the Driftwood Blouse.  The extra fabric will accommodate the extended length, the belt, and the belt loops.  
Size A B C-T
inches 12 15 18.5
cm  30 38 46

Adjust pattern pieces

Print and assemble the Driftwood Blouse pattern pieces in your selected size.  

Extend the Blouse Front and Back pattern pieces as follows:

1.  Tape a large piece of paper behind the hem of the Blouse Front pattern piece. 

2.  Determine the length to add to the Front and Back pattern pieces from the chart below.  These measurements are for an above-knee dress:

A B C-T
Length to add at blouse hem inches 5.9 7.5 9.1
cm 15 19 23
Pocket position from underarm inches 9.1 10 10.6
  cm 23 25.5 27

3.  Extend the centre fold line and side seams by the amount indicated in the measurement chart (or your own preference).  

Draw in the hem line from the centre fold line to the side seam, maintaining the curve at the same distance from the original blouse hem.  

Repeat for back pattern piece. 

  

4.  If you choose to add in-seam pockets, use the measurement chart above as a guide for positioning them.  

 

Sewing the Belt Loops and Belt

  • Cut 1 belt loop piece on the bias: 7 3/4" x 1 5/8" (20cm x 4.1cm)
  • Cut 1 belt to measurements in chart below:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
Belt dimensions (length) inches 33.9 34.6 35 35.4 36.2 36.6 37.4 38.2 39.4 40.2 41.3 42.1 42.9 44.5 46.1 47.2 48.8 50 51.2 52.8
cm 86 88 89 90 92 93 95 97 100 102 105 107 109 113 117 120 124 127 130 134
 Belt dimensions (width) inches 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
cm 9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9

 

Sewing the Belt Loops

1.  Cut out the belt loop piece (see the cut chart above for dimensions).  Press the long edges in 1/4" (6mm) towards the wrong side.  

2.  Fold in half lengthwise and press. 

3.  Stitch along the open edge with a 1/8" (3mm) seam allowance. 

4.  Cut into two pieces, each 10cm long.  Set these aside for now.  


Sewing the Belt

1.  Cut out the belt piece (see the cut chart above for dimensions).

2.  Press in the shorts ends 1/4" (6mm) to the wrong side.

3.  Press the long edges 1/4" (6mm) to the wrong side.

4.  Fold in half length-wise and press.

5.  Stitch along the open edges with a 1/8" (3mm) seam allowance.

Adding the Belt Loops to the Dress

Sew the dress as per the blouse instructions up to sewing side seams.

Before sewing the side seams, baste the belt loops to the sides of the dress at the waist notch for the gathered version on the pattern piece.  Or, position the belt loops lower for a dropped-waist look.

Continue sewing the dress as per the blouse instructions until completed.  Then, thread the belt through the belt loops, and voilà - a gorgeous A-Line Driftwood Dress! 

free womens a-line dress pattern

Join us in the Twig + Tale Facebook group to ask questions, look for inspiration, and of course to share photos of your lovely T+T creations.


Read more about the Driftwood here:

  • How to Make a Driftwood Maxi Dress
  • How to Make a Button Cuff for your Women's Driftwood
  • Fuller Bust Adjustment (FBA) for Raglan Tops with a Gathered Neckline
  • How to Make a Flounce Sleeve For your Adult Driftwood
  • How to Make a Ruffle Elastic Cuff for your Driftwood
  • How to Make a Knit Driftwood Blouse

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