Modkid Modified: Adding Ties to the Dakota

Tassels and ties have been making an appearance on apparel for a while now, so it is high time we bring this trend to a Modkid style we love. The Modkid Dakota is the perfect backdrop for a tassel ornamentation. Don't limit yourself to the Dakota; however, the Olivia and Liesl patterns would work well also. If you don't want to opt for a tassel, the ties are still a nice detail with a knotted end.

I turned to Martha Stewart's tutorial on how to tie a tassel. I used some old thread to create this tassel, but yarn, cording, or trim would work as well. For the last step, I threaded a 12" section of pre-made spaghetti strap through the tassel loop. If I had some forethought, I would have used the strap to tie around the middle in the second step. So, this is more do as I say, not as I did.

After forming the tassel, double fold the end of the spaghetti strap above the tassel top and secure with a few stitches back and forth.

Baste your ties right sides together with the outer front yoke.

The top edge of the tie should be exactly 1/2" from the neckline in order to end up at the top of the finished neckline. Be sure you measure the 1/2" down from the neckline at 1/2" away from the slanted edge.

The tassels will be sandwiched between the yoke and the lining pieces as you sew around the neckline and down the slant. Continue to sew the top per the pattern instructions. Be cautious not to catch the ties or tassels in any of your seams!

Are you on board with the tassel trend? Be sure to share your Modkid tassel creations in our Facebook Group. By the way, this top features one of Patty's newest prints from the Primavera collection for Riley Blake.

Modkid Modified: Dakota Flounce Sleeve

Today's tutorial illustrates how to use the slash and spread method to change the straight sleeve style of the Dakota top to a flounce sleeve. 

After printing the sleeve pattern piece, draw lines at a 1" spacing starting from the overlap side of the sleeve.

Cut the markings up to the top of the sleeve, but not all the way through. You want to create a "hinge" point. The goal is to maintain the top length of the sleeve piece and widen the bottom.

Overlap the two sleeve sections at the top and tape them to a piece of freezer paper or tracing paper. Open and spread the bottom sections 1" along the bottom. Tape in place and trace out the new pattern piece. 

Once cut, your piece should look like the one above. Clip your notches as you normally would.

Sew the pattern per the pattern instructions. The only difference I suggest is a narrow hem on the sleeve since it is now such a curved piece. I used a narrow rolled hem foot on my sewing machine, but a 1/4" hem would work as well. 

Be sure to let us know if you give this technique a try!!

Dakota Sew-Along // Results and Winners

Thank you for your participation and inspiration in the Dakota Sew-Along. We loved see people sew multiple tops and transform the pattern to nightgowns. 

Congratulations to Robin Swigert for winning the participation prize of 3 free PDF patterns!!

I have collected all of the sew-along posts in our Dakota Sew-Along Page, so you can access them at any time in the side bar of the blog. As always, our Modkid Fan Group loves to see what you make!

Dakota Sew-Along // Day 5

This is it!! I'm guessing many of you finished up yesterday, because you just didn't want to wait for a post to show you a hemming step. That's all we have for today! There are a couple options for your hems. 

Hem the sleeves and bottom edge of the garment with a 3/4" hem allowance. You can do this either by serging the bottom edge, then pressing up 3/4" toward the wrong side and topstitching, or by folding 1/4" toward the wrong side, then another 1/2" and topstitching.

If you are sewing your Dakota out of knit fabric, be sure to check out our Hemming Tips for Knits post. 

Be sure to add photos of your completed Dakota Top to our Facebook Group before the end of the day Monday, February 15th to be entered to win a prize. You can share photos on Facebook and Instagram with hashtag #dakotasewalong. We will post the winner next week!

See the rest of the Dakota Sew-Along here:

Announcement

Supplies

Schedule and Prizes

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Dakota Sew-Along // Day 4

Today is all about the sleeves.Views A and D have bias bound sleeve openings, so check the pattern for further instructions. These instructions will apply for both the long sleeve and short sleeve versions. All seam allowances are 1/2" unless noted otherwise. 

I like to press my sleeve hem prior to attaching the sleeve to avoid pressing in the round later. Check out our tips and tricks post for How to Avoid Pressing in the Round. Place one sleeve right sides together with the yoke arm opening. Align the center notch with the shoulder seam, the single notch with the front yoke seam, and the double notch with the back yoke seam.

Stitch the sleeve in place and finish with a serger or zig-zag stitch. Repeat for the other sleeve.

To close up the sides, turn the yoke inside out. Pin the front to the back right sides together aligning the underarm seam. Again, you can see I have already pressed my bottom hem.

Stitch in place and finish with a serger or zig-zag stitch. Repeat for the other side. We are so close to finished!!

See the rest of the Dakota Sew-Along here:

Announcement

Supplies

Schedule and Prizes

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

We’d love to see your progress!! Show us your photos in our Facebook group. You can also share photos on Facebook and Instagram tagged #dakotasewalong.

Dakota Sew-Along // Day 3

Today's sewing will be super quick, so let's get started. All seam allowances are 1/2" unless noted otherwise.

I like to notch the front and back skirt at the top center point. Now, sew a long gathering stitch at 1/4" from the edge between the marks at the front and back skirt. Pull the bobin threads to gather up the skirt pieces to the same width as the yoke.

Place the front skirt right sides together with the front yoke aligning raw edges. Use the notches to align the centerpoints and adjust the gathers as needed. Sew the skirt to the yoke and finish the seam allowance. Repeat for the back skirt and yoke.

Press the skirt down and the seam allowance toward the yoke. Topstitch along the yoke edge. If you are adding trim at the yoke check the pattern instructions prior to topstiching. 

See the rest of the Dakota Sew-Along here:

Announcement

Supplies

Schedule and Prizes

Day 1

Day 2

We’d love to see your progress!! Show us your photos in our Facebook group. You can also share photos on Facebook and Instagram tagged #dakotasewalong.

Dakota Sew-Along // Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the sew-along! Today we begin to sew! I will be sewing View B, but most of the steps will be common to each view. All seam allowances will be 1/2" unless noted otherwise.

If you are adding ribbon or trim, note the directions in the pattern for placement. Then, place one front yoke right sides together to the back yoke. Stitch along the shoulder seam. Repeat for the other front yoke piece.

Press the seam open. Repeat sewing the shoulder seams for the lining pieces. (Check the pattern instructions if you are attaching a hood. You will not be including the lining pieces.)

Pin the main yoke to the lining right sides together. Sew up the straight angled front, around the neckline, and down the opposite straight angled side.

Trim the corners and around the neck. Clip into the curve of the neck taking care not to clip your stitches.

Turn the yoke right sides out, poke out the corner, and press well. Topstitch along the front and around the neckline.

Overlap the front yokes so that each topstiched edge aligns with the notch on the opposite side. Baste in place.

Continue basting the lining to the main fabric at the front, back and arm opening of the yokes. I like to baste at 1/4" to 3/8", so the stitching is within the seam allowance.

See the rest of the Dakota Sew-Along here:

Announcement

Supplies

Schedule and Prizes

Day 1

We’d love to see your progress!! Show us your photos in our Facebook group. You can also share photos on Facebook and Instagram tagged #dakotasewalong.

Dakota Sew-Along // Day 1

REMEMBER, today is the last day to use coupon code DAKOTASAL2016 for 30% off any pattern in the Etsy Shop!!

Welcome to Day 1 of the Dakota Sew-Along. We hope you have gathered your supplies. Today we are preparing our pattern and cutting out the pattern pieces. Let's get started! 

First, head to your computer and print out your pattern. Here are a few tips I like to use for printing:

• Print the instruction pages on two sides (front and back). For the Dakota pattern, these are pages 2-13. You may be able to print fewer pages based on the view you decide to make. I like to save ink by not printing the pretty cover and inspiration pages, but that’s up to you. You may even choose to not print the instructions at all and have your digital copy handy while you sew.
• Print the pattern pages 16-25 on a single side only. For versions B, C, E and F you will also need pages 26-30. For versions D, E, and F, you will also need pages 31-34.  Make sure your scaling is set to “none”. 

• Above all, utilize the test squares to make sure your pattern has printed at the full scale.

Cut the pattern pieces to your desired size. Be sure to include the gray/shaded areas in your cuts. Overlap the shaded areas, as indicated on the pattern pieces, and tape each piece together to form the full pattern pieces.

Use the pattern layout guide based on the view you are sewing to cut out your fabric pattern pieces. Be sure to transfer the notches to your fabric. If making view A, be sure to cut the bias binding per page 3. That's it for today!

See the rest of the Dakota Sew-Along here:

Announcement

Supplies

Schedule and Prizes

We’d love to see your progress!! Show us your photos in our Facebook group. You can also share photos on Facebook and Instagram tagged #dakotasewalong.

Dakota Sew-Along // Schedule and Prizes

We will begin the Dakota sew-along first thing Monday morning!! Monday, until midnight EST, is also the last day to use coupon code DAKOTASAL2016 for 30% off the Dakota pattern or any others in the Etsy shop. 

SCHEDULE:

Here is a breakdown of what we have in store for each day of the sew-along:

• Day 1:  Prepare the pattern and cut and prepare the pattern pieces.
• Day 2:  Create the Bodice.
• Day 3:  Attach the skirt.
• Day 4:  Attach the sleeves.
• Day 5:  Finish and hem.

PRIZES:

One sew-along participant will be selected at random to win Modkid PDF patterns of their choice!!

PARTICIPATION:

Here is exactly how to participate:

• Sew along with us or at your own pace.

• Ask questions here or in our Modkid Facebook Group.

• Post progress photos in our Facebook Group or Instagram with hashtag #dakotasewalong

• Photograph your finished dress and add it to the Facebook Group. Post photos of your dress to Facebook and Instagram using the tag #dakotasewalong, so we can all find you. 

To be eligible for the grand prize, be sure to add your photos by Monday, February 15th. Please only add photos you don’t mind us sharing on the blog!

Grab your materials, wash and dry your fabrics, and get ready to sew!!

Dakota Sew-Along // Supplies

We hope you've marked your calendar to join in with our Dakota sew-along!! Today, we’re talking supplies, so you can gather what you need before we get started on February 8th.

PATTERN

Foremost, you will need the Dakota Top Pattern. Remember, coupon code DAKOTASAL2016 gets you 30% off your entire order in the Modkid Etsy store. The coupon code expires on Monday, February 8th at midnight EST.

FABRIC AND NOTIONS

First, you will need to determine which view you will be making.

The Dakota can be made in woven fabrics (e.g. quilting cotton, shirting, voile, gauze, lawn, linen, or muslin) or with knits (e.g. jersey, interlock, or stretch velvet). There really is a wide range of options!!

We would love to see your fabric selections!! Come share with us in the Modkid Facebook Group!

Dakota Sew Along

Are you ready for a sew along?

DATES

The sew-along will be February 8th-12th. Put it on your calendar now! Between now and then we’ll be posting what you’ll need, the schedule, and prizes. During the sew-along we’ll tackle a few steps each day to take you through the pattern. Dakota is a swing top pattern with a myriad of options. Make it sleeveless for the Summer months or with sleeves for the cooler months. Add a hood, lace overlays or designer trims for a bit of extra flair. Use your favorite designer cottons or knits for a casual look, or dress it up with fancier fabrics. 

PRIZES

Stay tuned for prize details! 

HOW TO ENTER

You’ll want to post your finished dress by Monday, February 15th to be entered to win one of the prizes. Post your photos to the Modkid Fan Group page. Also, post photos to Facebook and Instagram using the tag #dakotasewalong and #modkid so we can all find you. 

WHERE TO BUY and COUPON

Want more good news!?! Coupon code DAKOTASAL2016 gets you 30% off your entire order in the Modkid Etsy store. That’s ANYTHING you buy in the shop not just the Dakota pattern!! The coupon code expires on Monday, February 8th at midnight EST. 

Modkid Dakota Inspiration

You may have already noticed these pop up in our Modkid Inspiration Pinterest Board. In case you didn't I'm sharing them here too. The Modkid Dakota is such a versatile pattern, and there are so many more ways to mix up the look. 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1. Add a bottom ruffle.
2. Change up the trim. Love those pom poms!
3. Add some color blocking.
4. More color blocking and lace.
5. Lengthen for a dress. 

We hope you are already having fun with the pattern! Be sure to share your creations in our Facebook Group! 

Modkid Modified // Breeann with Lined Hood

This may be one of the simplest ways to modify a hooded top pattern, yet it gives you such great versatility. Some fabrics need lining due to being ugly or uncomfortable on the wrong side. A lined hood also gives additional warm or a fun place to add a pop of color. I've used this technique to line the hood of a Modkid Breeann, but this would work just the same for the new Modkid Dakota pattern.

There really are only a few basic steps for lining a hood. Cut out your main hood pattern pieces, then cut two additional hood pattern pieces in your lining fabric. Sew the main hood pieces right sides together around the curved center seam. Repeat for the hood lining pieces.

Place the main hood piece right sides together with the lining hood piece aligning the center seam at the top of the hood. Stitch the lining to the hood around the front of the hood with a 1/2" seam allowance since that was the hem allowance for an unlined hood.

Turn the hood right sides out. Press and topstitch along the front seam you just created. Baste the layers together at the neck edge. Now you are ready to attach the hood following the pattern instructions. Just treat the double layered hood as one piece.

Introducing Dakota

We are so excited to introduce to you Patty's latest pattern, the Dakota swing top. You will soon see why I say it is the perfect top for all seasons!! Patty has included loads of options and some unique detail. Add the ribbon trim for extra pizzazz. 

Ready for more good news!?! The Dakota pattern is available for $5.99 for the next 24 hours!! You can purchase the pattern in the Etsy Shop or on Craftsy. After 9:30 a.m. CST 9/23/2015, the price will return to the regular price of $9.99. 

From sleeveless to long sleeves and hood or no hood, we love options!!

Let's take a look at all of the tester creations.

(Amy Settle)

(Courtney Davis)

(Axa Lima)

(Carin Deon)

(Carrie Simpson)

(Erin Kaiser)

(Jody Kappas)

(Leah Broadstreet)

(Liz Mouse)

(Lucinda Poel)

(Serena Garcia-Diaz)

Here are those links to purchase again:  Etsy Shop or Craftsy.