Joelle Mini Dress Hack
The Joelle Mini Dress Hack modelled by Rosa
I just love the dresses that the designers Self Portrait and Rixo makes and was inspired by some of their designs when I made the Joelle Dress sewing pattern. The Joelle Dress has a big bow at the bust, which can be taken on and off easily with just a couple of hand stitches at each top corner.
The pattern comes with two skirt options - an a-line mini dress or a maxi dress with a frill hem. One of my customers shared a cute frill hack for the mini dress on their instagram page, which was just gorgeous and inspired me to make my own version.
You can get your Joelle Dress sewing pattern here and a step-by-step tutorial for the hack is below.
Dresses by Rixo and Self Portrait
Joelle Mini Dress Hack Instructions
To make the Joelle Mini Dress hack you will need the Joelle Dress sewing pattern which you can buy here.
The Joelle Mini Dress frill hem hack, keeps the original length of the mini dress. The length of the frill is 1/3 of the total length of the skirt, which means that the top part of the skirt is 2/3 of the full length.
If you’d like to lengthen or shorten your skirt, then measure the full length. Divide this length by three. Then the top part of the skirt would be 2/3 of the length and the frill 1/3 of the length. Remember to add seam allowance.
The width of the frill hem is roughly double the total circumference of the skirt. If you fabric is not wide enough for the frill hem pattern piece, then just add a seam which will be hidden by the gathering.
STEP 1: Draw a line 15cm up from the mini dress hem on both the front and back skirt pattern pieces.
STEP 2: Cut this 15cm section off from the skirt pattern pieces.
STEP 3: Measure the width of this new hemline on back skirt pattern piece from the side seam to centre back. Then make the skirt as shown from page 11 in the Joelle Dress instructions. Do everything except finishing the hem.
STEP 4: Create the pattern piece for your frill hem by drawing a rectangle that has a length of 18cm, and a width that is 4 x the measurement you took in Step 4.
So if the hemline of the back skirt from side seam to centre back was 30cm, then the width of your rectangle would be 120cm.
Mark a notch in the centre of each rectangle. Then cut 2 rectangles from your fabric.
STEP 5: Finish the side edge of each rectangle with overlocking or zig zag stitch. Then add two line of gathering stitch. Pull them so that each rectangle goes to about half it’s size.
STEP 6: Sew the two rectangles together at each side seam and press open the seam.
STEP 7: Attach the frill hem to the skirt. Match the notches at the centre of each rectangle to the centre front and centre back. Match the side seams of the skirt to the seams of the frill hem.
Make sure the gathering is evenly spread and then finish the seam.
STEP 8: Hem the skirt as shown on page 21 of the Joelle Dress Instructions.
I hope your enjoy wearing your Joelle Mini Dress - it’s the perfect party outfit!