Dear readers,
I hope you are having a lovely beginning of the year. On my end, things have been even more hectic than usual but I slowly try to regain control. I'm starting easy with this quick hack of the Kiara Knit Dress.
As soon as we finished the first sample of Kiara, we knew it would make a great top. Below are two clean, intentional ways to hack Kiara into a top, depending on the finish you prefer. Both methods use the existing pattern pieces and preserve the original proportions.
Method 1. Extending the Base Bodice
This first method keeps the construction simple. You shorten the dress by redrawing the hemline directly on the bodice pattern and finish it like a regular knit top.
Step 1
Extend the lengthen/shorten line to the side seam. Draw a second line parallel to the hemline and to the extended line, positioned 10 cm (4 inches) below the original hemline. This line becomes the new hemline.
Step 2
From the points where the extended lengthen/shorten line meets the pattern edges, draw straight lines down to the new hemline. Make sure these lines are perpendicular to the new hemline.
Step 3
Slightly smooth out the resulting corner to create a clean, continuous curve. This ensures the side seam remains fluid once sewn.
Step 4
Add a 2 cm (¾ inch) hem allowance at the bottom edge. Your top pattern is ready.
Construction Notes
Sew the top following the Kiara Knit Dress instructions up to and including Step 8.
To finish the hem:
- If you have a coverstitch machine, fold the hem allowance up 2 cm (¾ inch) and topstitch.
- If you do not have a coverstitch machine, finish the raw edge on an overlock, fold the hem allowance up 2 cm (¾ inch), and stitch using a twin needle or a zigzag stitch.
The top is ready.
Method 2. Adding a Waistband
This second method introduces a waistband. It adds structure at the hem and slightly changes the silhouette, while keeping the drape of the bodice intact.
Step 1
Measure the width of the hemline of the bodice, excluding seam allowances.
Step 2
Draw a rectangle 20 cm (8 inches) high. The width of the rectangle should be equal to twice the hemline measurement from the previous step, minus 10 cm (4 inches).
Step 3
Mark the midpoints of the opposite sides of the rectangle and connect them pairwise.
The horizontal line will serve as the fold line of the waistband. The vertical line should align with the right side seam of the top.
Step 4
Add 6 mm (¼ inch) seam allowances on all sides. Add a notch to mark the right side seam alignment.
Construction Notes
- Sew the top following the Kiara Knit Dress instructions up to and including Step 8.
- Join the short ends of the waistband on an overlock using a seam width of 6 mm (¼ inch). Press the seam to either side.
- Fold the waistband in half, wrong sides together, and press.
- Attach the waistband to the top using an overlock, stretching the waistband slightly and evenly. Align the waistband seam with the left side seam of the top. Match the notch on the waistband with the right side seam of the top.
- Use a seam width of 6 mm (¼ inch) and sew from the waistband side. Press the seam allowance upward.
The top is ready.
Let me know if you plan to sew Kiara as a top and if there is a hack tutorial you would like to see in the future!
Happy sewing!