Hey there Mermaids! Today we have two brand new patterns releasing-Ainsley and Baby Ainsley! Ainsley is a sweet vintage style dress designed with a knit bodice and woven skirt and packed with tons of options. To take your patterns even further, check out today’s blog for several easy hacks 🙂. First, make sure to pick up the LIMITED time bundle of both baby and girls patterns for ONLY $10 until Sunday 9/17 midnight cst. Bundles are only available at release so don’t miss out!
Ainsley Mix and Match Combinations
Our first hacks are super easy. Ainsley is part of our Mix and Match knit collection, which also includes Brooklyn, Riley, and Cassie. That means you can easily use the bodice from one pattern and one skirt from a different pattern without having to make any alterations! That leaves you with even MORE possibilities of knit dress combinations. Check out these awesome combos!
Ainsley and Brooklyn
Ainsley and Cassie
Ainsley and Riley
Ainsley Bib Hack
Hi guys! I’m in love with the new Ainsley dress, and this bib option will take the creative possibilities through the roof! I scrolled through so much inspiration on Pinterest, and there are a lot more looks I want to make with this bib hack. To make your own, first, grab the bib pieces below for girls and baby {click links and they will download}, and then we can get started! Just click that link and it will automatically download. The pieces are layered, so you can just print the size/s you need.
You will need to cut out your dress, plus one bib piece. Woven works best for the bib. You can use any lace, or trim you would like, or you can cut a ruffle to line the outside edge of the bib. To determine how long to cut your ruffle, measure around the outside edge of the bib, and double that number. For the size 7 I was making, the measurement was 18-5/8″, so I doubled to get approximately 37.” I roll hemmed the edges of my ruffle. If you’re doing that, or if you’re using knit, and will leave the edges raw, cut the length of the ruffle at 1.5.” If you want to hem the edges, cut the ruffle piece at 2,” and hem each side 1/4.”
This will be the first step, before you begin constructing your bodice. Pin your bib in place carefully, and baste the bottom edge, and around the neckline. I forgot to finish the edge of my bib, so I basted with a zig zag stitch right on the edge.
If you’re using trim, you can go ahead and stitch that around the edge of your bib piece, starting at the top, at one shoulder, and going all the way to the other shoulder. If you’re using a ruffle piece, hem, or roll hem your long edges, and then stitch a single gathering or basting stitch down the middle of the ruffle.
Pin the two edges of your ruffle at each shoulder, and find the middle of your ruffle, and pin it to the bottom center of your bib. The center of your ruffle should be going directly over the edge of your bib. Now pull the bobbin thread to gather your ruffle, and pin it to fit the bib.
Now you’ll stitch the ruffle onto the bib using a straight stitch, right over your gathering stitch.
You can remove the gathering stitches now, and you’ve completed the bib! Sew your shoulder seams together, RST, and finish the rest of your dress per the tutorial! When you’re adding the shoulder flutters, or sleeves, be sure to fold your ruffle over and pin it out of the way so you don’t catch it when you’re sewing around the top of the shoulder.
If you want to have more fun embellishing your bib, you can check out this blog post here.
I used the pockets from the Quinn pattern on this Ainsley skirt, to get exactly the look I wanted. Quinn does not mash with Ainsley, but a great tip is to use parts and pieces, like pockets, from other patterns you own, to make the look yours!
~Liesel
Knit Waistband Hack
The last Ainsley hack is how to add a knit waistband to the Ainsley dress pattern. The knit waistband provides a super-fast and comfortable option for your Ainsley dress. When you construct the knit waistband you can choose to include the adorable tie sash, or you can choose to leave the tie sash off. I adore all things girly and therefore I made my dress with the sash. I used the same knit for both the waistband and for the sash. The sash pieces will follow the measurements given in the pattern. The waistband measurements however will need to be adjusted to account for the negative ease that is necessary when using knit in place of the elastic casing to cinch the waist.
You will cut all your pieces per tutorial, EXCEPT for the waistband pieces. Please refer to the knit waistband chart below for your new waistband measurements. Also please note that it will be beneficial to use clear elastic at the waist seam to add stability to the bodice when working with an all knit waistband.
Cut your new waistband pieces as per the chart above.
Once you have the waistband pieces cut measure 1/2” from the bottom and pin the sash pieces on both sides of the front waist band, if adding.
Next place your back waistband piece on top of your front waistband piece. Pin in place along both short raw edges. Sew or serge the sides together with a 1/2” seam allowance, and then press the seams open.
Then take the waistband and fold it in half lengthwise with right sides facing out and press again. Your waistband is now complete.
You will then attach the waistband to the bodice with a zig zag or other stretch stitch making sure to stretch the waistband and not the bodice. Once you have the waistband attached to the bodice, add the clear elastic. Adding the clear elastic will help the dress to look professional and maintain stability. To add the clear elastic just elasticize (stretch) the clear elastic before attaching and make sure to use a large zig zag stitch. You do not want to stretch the clear elastic while sewing it to the bodice, it is best to use a 1:1 ratio with the fabric. Once you have the clear elastic added you will follow along with the pattern continuing at step 14.
We so look forward to seeing what you create using the adorable Ainsley and Baby Ainsley patterns! Make sure to share your creations in the Made for Mermaids pattern group, and on Instagram using hashtag #ainsleypattern and #babyainsleypattern !
~Amira
We hope you enjoyed these easy hacks that will help you take your Ainsley patterns to the next level! Don’t forget to share what you make with us in our facebook group or on instagram! #ainsleypaterrn #babyainsleypattern #madeformermaids
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