Playing it cool

TURN AN OLD SUNDRESS INTO KIDS' SUMMER SHORTS, WITH MELANIE WASHINGTON'S UPCYCLE

- MELANIE WASHINGTON

MATERIALS

Adult-size secondhand sundress

2.5cm-wide elastic x 54cm

Large safety pin

Matching thread

Basic sewing kit

NOTES

Seam allowances are 1cm unless otherwise stated

1 Create your own pattern using a pair of shorts from your child's wardrobe. Fold the shorts in half, lay them on a sheet of paper and trace all the way around the seams with a pencil or tracing wheel. Make sure the crotch seam is flat (making a curved shape). For the inside leg and crotch seam, use a tracing wheel or sharp object to trace/punch through the seams to the paper to mark out the pattern. Use this technique to create two front and two back pattern pieces.

2 Add 1cm seam allowances and a 2cm hem allowance all around your pattern pieces. For the elastic channel at the waist, add 4cm to the top so that this can be folded down.