The Lille Racerback Tank/ Dress is probably my most often sewn and also worn Greenstyle Creations pattern. I just love it! The fit of the maxi dress is so flattering, cool, and comfortable.
When I received this tie dye fabric from Vinegar and Honey Co.'s March Bee Box, I knew I wanted to make a Lille, but I really thought side slits would MAKE the dress. It is an easy modification and you can go as low or high with the side slit as you would like. **If you would like to find out more about what exactly a Bee Box is, I have included a link at the bottom of the blog post!
SIDE SLIT INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Mark fabric at the point you want slit to go up to. I made my marks 23 inches from the bottom of the pattern pieces (front and back) and it hits right above my knee. For reference, I am 5'5".
2. Serge edge of fabric from 2 inches above mark down to bottom of skirt. If not using a serger, you can skip this step. You are NOT serging front and back together in this step. You are just finishing the raw edges on each piece separately.
3. With sewing machine (using 3/8 inch seam allowance), stitch from your mark to two inches above mark. This will make the slit look nice from the outside of the dress, once you are finished.
4. To make a clean edge on the bottom hem, fold bottom of skirt up 1 inch (or whatever measurement you are using for your hem allowance) to the right side of fabric. Sew 1/4 inch from the edge, up one inch.
Flip so that the right side is showing. Pretty, huh?
5. Fold serged edge over to the wrong side of fabric and sew 1/4 inch from edge to hem. Sew up one side, across the top of slit, and then down the other side. I just used my sewing machine with a longer stitch (2.8) for this step. Once finished, press the side slit hem so it lays nicely.
6. Serge/ sew the rest of side seam with a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Make sure to stop before you get to the top of the slit. You should have 2 inches to play with.
There you go! Finish your dress as instructed in the pattern. (And try not to let your dog come up and give you a big lick when you take pics to share on the Greenstyle Facebook Page!)
** Check out Vinegar and Honey Co. and their fun monthly Bee Box! You can subscribe or just purchase monthly. You receive the month's suprise fabric and a suggestion for a pattern to use with it and a coupon code for the pattern! You are free to use the fabric on whatever pattern you choose (which is what I have done every month!) It is so fun to be a part of the Vinegar and Honey Co. Facebook group and see what everyone has sewn up with their Bee Box every month!
