Collins Dress Top and Skirt Sewing Hack

As part of our Friday Hackathon that we are running this October we decided to hack the lovely Collins Top and Dress Pattern into a cute Top and Skirt sewing project. Its a surprisingly easy hack and one that create 2 lovely garments you can then wear together or mix and match.

What you will need:

1. Download the Collins Dress here. 
2. The fabric required will be the same as per the long length Collins dress, and the only extra you will need would be to create a waist band but it doesn't take a lot of fabric. I used this amazing zigzag knit fabric and lined it with brown cotton jersey. 
3. Waistband elastic, preferably 1inch wide. 
   
4. Your usual sewing notions and supplies.

Pattern Modifications:

The modifications are pretty simple, especially as there are only 2 main pattern pieces. 

On pieces A and B you simple have to cut across where the natural waist sits, you can see on the shape where it goes in, I eyeballed this but you could of course also measure from your shoulders to waist, and then use that measurement. 

Once cut, just make sure to add a 1cm seam allowance on both the newly created skirt waist and the top waist. 

Bra shelf C and D will stay the same.

Instead of creating a waistband, we can use elastic to create a supportive waist band (see sewing steps below). 

If you want to add straps to the back create some long rectangles 3cm wide and as long as you want them. Cut 2 pieces.

Sewing steps:

Sewing the hack is pretty similar to the original instructions with a couple of differences.

Place skirt A and B together and sew the side seams with a 1cm seam allowance. Finish the seam if needed.

Cut a piece of elastic to the size of your waist, if you're unsure, use a tape measure to measure your waist and test the elastic around you first. Allow some ease if you prefer your elastic looser. Stitch your elastic together to create a loop by overlapping the elastic short ends and stitching together.

Half the elastic to match the the stitched end and pin the half, fold again and pin the quarters. 

Then do the same for the main skirt pieces and use the side seams to mark the quarters. 

Pin the elastic to the wrong side of the skirt, matching up the quarter pin markings. Stitch across the edge of the elastic by gently stretching it as you go, the elastic loop will be slightly smaller than the skirt so you will need to stretch it slightly between pins for it to fit. 

Once stitched, fold the waist band of the skirt over, and then stitch again at the other edge of the elastic. 

Optional back ties:

When creating the top, it's the same as the top instructions, but I added back ties for extra support for the low back option.

I sewed together the strips right sides folded together keeping the short ends open. Using a safety pin I pulled them through to the right side. Place the straps on the back a few cm from the shoulder seam on the back neckline, and pin in place with the strap facing outwards. Baste in place before sewing the bra shelf pieces to the main pieces. 

Continue the steps as per the instructions and once the top is done, finish the ends of the ties by either knotting them or turning them inside a cm and then stitching across the edge. 

I hope you like the finished Collins Hack! It's a cute project and gives you even more options to the pattern. Wear together as a cute co-ord or as separates.