Deanna is the newest pattern in our Lounge and Lace Collection! The Deanna Top, Sweater, and Dress is the perfect, cozy, off-shoulder pattern. Options include two necklines (asymmetrical one-shoulder with self facing, or an off-shoulder cowl) and multiple hemlines. I just love the split banded hem! Do you have a favorite?!

Deanna is so gorgeous as is, but if you love it as much as we do, you might need a few variations to keep a tiny bit of variety in your closet. We have two fun and simple hacks for you, plus you can use some of our Mama Paige hacks as well!

Deep Side Split Hem

The unique split hem detail included with the Deanna pattern is already really fun as it is!  I simply kicked it up a notch by taking that split hem, and extending it to have an exaggerated split hem.  You can make the split as high or low as you’d like to create your own fun look.

To start, you’ll want to add a marking on your  pattern piece for where you’d like your side split to end.  I decided to go really high, and measured about 12″ up from the bottom edge, and marked that spot on both sides of my pattern piece with a “notch”.  You will cut everything according to the pattern, just being sure to add that notch marking to your front and back bodices so you can easily tell where to make your hem.  Just to note, this works with both the asymmetrical off shoulder option as well as the cowl option!

You will sew the neckline and shoulder seams, and sleeves according to the pattern instructions.  The change will occur when you go to sew up your side seams.  Only sew from the sleeve, down to where your notch was marked.  I like to do my seams with a serger, but doing so by itself doesn’t give me the clean-cut edge I need at the notch to make my split hem, so I go back and finish the stitching for that point on my sewing machine to get the seam the way it should be for the nice crisp point of your split hem.

Once your side seams are sewn from bottom of sleeve to split hem notch, you will want to attach your bands to the front and back bodices.  I chose the tall band and short band to add just another layer of interest to my deep split hem with this look.  Creat your band pieces just as you would per the pattern. (fold in half lengthwise RST and sew the shorts ends closed.)  Next, we will attach them to the bodices.  Do not zig zag your band pieces together like the patterns instructs. Instead we will attach them individually, one to the front and one to the back.  Align the raw edges of the band and the bottom of the bodice RST, leaving a 1/2′ of overhang on each side (this just helps create a cleaner finish when you hem the rest of the split). Serge or stitch your band onto your bodice

Now we will hem the rest of the split to finish it.  Take the overhang you created, and wrap it to the wrong side. Continue folding the hem to the wrong side up the split to the point and back down the other side.  Edge stitch the hem in place…

And admire that beautiful Deep Split Hem you just made!

 

Cheers,

Jody

Deanna/Lexi Romper Mash

Hey everyone! I’m Stephanie, here to show you how to mash the ah-mazing new Deanna pattern with the Lexi jogger style pants to get one super cute and comfy romper! And full disclosure: yes, you will have to pull this baby alllll the way down to use the restroom, lol. For this mash you’ll need your Lexi style of choice, with or without pockets, leaving off only the waistband piece.

Then, take your Deanna pattern bodice piece and hold it up to your body. See where the point would be where it hits at approximately your high hips, mark this point on your Deanna pattern, and draw a line across (for me it was about 2″ below shirt length), this will be your new cut line.

Now, construct your Deanna completely, except for the bottom hem. Construct your Lexis completely, up until where you would attach the waistband.

Place your Deanna bodice right sides together over your pants so the raw edges align, matching side seams and front and back center bodice points to the pants center seams. Pin or clip in place. You are going to sew this with a 3/4″ seam allowance with your sewing machine. *Do not use your serger on this step.

Trim the top’s seam allowance down to 1/4″. *Make sure you are only trimming the seam allowance of the top, not the pants.

Turn the entire romper inside out and press the bottom’s seam allowance up towards the top. This is going to be your waist casing.

If you’re doing a drawstring, you’ll now find the center front of your romper right above the waistband seam, add grommets/buttonholes. Make sure you apply them as close as possible to, and no more than 5/8″ away from the waistband seam line. You need the grommets/buttonholes within the casing allowance. *Adding a small strip of interfacing to the area you are adding the buttonholes/grommets to first is recommended*

Now you’re going to sew your casing closed around the entire romper’s waist, leave a 1″ opening to insert your elastic if you chose elastic instead of drawstring. Thread your drawstring or elastic with a safety pin.

Sew the opening you left for threading the elastic closed and you’re done! You just made THE cutest, most trendy romper…that is so comfortable it feels like pajamas!

Want another option? Try the Waist Tie Hack from our Mama Paige!

Hopefully the Deanna dolman makes the cold weather a little more tolerable. We can’t wait to see which style you try first! Don’t forget to share over in our Facebook group!