Menu
MN2102 Banksia / Sewalongs

Banksia Sewalong: How to draft a Banksia dress

I just love seeing all the gorgeous variations you all make of the Banksia pattern – and two of my absolute favourites are these dresses by Andrea and Anna. A Banksia dress is SUCH a fantastic idea right?? I thought it might be fun to show you what the pattern might look like if you chose to make a dress, and the first step is to draft a Banksia dress!

The first thing I did was figure out how long I wanted the dress to be. Compare the length of the top (you can find the finished top measurements on the back of your pattern envelope or booklet), to the length of a favourite dress.

For me the difference was 9.5″ and i wanted a wide 3″ hem (with 1/2″ turned under). The current hem is 1/4″ wide with a 1/4″ turned under – so my end measurement I needed to add was 12.5″ (9.5 + 3 + .5 = 13 – .25 – .25 = 12.5) .

how to turn the Banksia Blouse into a dress // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryStart by slashing both the front and back pattern pieces at the ‘lengthen or shorten here’ lines.

how to turn the Banksia Blouse into a dress // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary how to turn the Banksia Blouse into a dress // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary Add some paper underneath your front pattern piece, and draw a straight line along the right side. Line up the centre front of your slashed pattern piece along this line.

Make sure the gap between your two slashed pieces is the measurement you need to add to your pattern (again, mine was 12.5”, not the 12” pictured). Tape in place.

how to turn the Banksia Blouse into a dress // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary Draw a straight line from the side seam (from the bottom of the dart on the front piece), squaring up with your hemline.

Note: I did it this way to make sure no width was eliminated from the hip. If you’re concerned about still having enough room there, just measure the pattern where your widest point would be, and compare it to your measurements (don’t forget about seam allowances). You want to make sure you have a good amount of ease or at least an amount you are happy with.

how to turn the Banksia Blouse into a dress // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Do the same thing for the back piece, and you’re all set!

In the end, I’m going to have a dress that hits just below mid-thigh. I’m also going to add some pockets!

This isn’t the only way you could make a Banksia dress – but it’s definitely a fast and easy version. And super cute, too!

See how to put it together here.


LOOKING FOR MORE BANKSIA POSTS?

Some other tutorials you might like to check out:

DON’T HAVE THE PATTERN YET?

Haven't got the Banksia Pattern yet?

Order Banksia today in Sizes XS-XL

About Author

Holly writes part time for the Megan Nielsen blog– sewing like crazy, creating tutorials and sewalongs. She has been sewing since she was a little girl, and has her degree in apparel design. Now she’s a stay at home mama, and spends all her free nap times at her sewing machine.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

11 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
elleMarie
11 years ago

I just got my patterns in the mail yesterday and I can’t wait to start this dress version as well as several other versions as well. (guess you could say it’s an addiction of sorts, huh?) Thanks so much! i’m excited to see how they turn out. :)

Catherine
Catherine
11 years ago

Ah yes, this is what I wanted to know how to do! I have a goodly amount of brushed cotton that would be perfect for this! Thanks!

Angela
11 years ago

So glad you did the dress first! That is exactly what I want to make! Thank you.

maddie
11 years ago

Another great tutorial lady! I think it is so great that you are showing how your patterns can be used in more than one way. That’s what designing and learning to sew is all about. Keep up the good work!

Ginger
11 years ago

Love these dresses (from two of my favorite bloggers, to boot!)! So cute!

punkmik
10 years ago

now that I have my pattern I will make one of these too! :D so excited. I want a dress version, short sleeves, long sleeves and now saw u have also done tips on making one out of stretch knits! i will be very busy!

trackback

[…] make the dress I just followed what Megan is suggesting on her blog and added some elastic at the […]

trackback

[…] If you haven’t already altered your pattern – then head on back to this post. […]

trackback

[…] Pattern alterations to turn the top pattern into a dress pattern […]

trackback

[…] has shown you how to extend the Banksia top into a dress before, but adding a gathered skirt really adds a fun element.  Again, you can check out more of […]

trackback

[…] Pattern Alterations: How to turn the pattern into a dress […]