Animal print fabric has been having a big moment this year, and while I’m certainly a fan of the classic leopard spot, I’ve been extra partial to a good full-animal animal print! I made a pair of Lander Shorts last year in a fun linen with little cheetahs all over, which ended up being my favorite shorts all summer long. So when I had the opportunity to work with this leopard print jersey, I was thrilled!

I thought about quite a few different silhouettes to feature this fabric, and finally decided that I wanted to make a comfy knit dress of some sort. I had a hard time settling on a pattern that matched what I had in mind. As I slipped on my Crowded Faces Mandy Boat Tee (my all-time favorite Minerva make!) while getting dressed one morning, I started playing around with the idea of a dress-length hacked Mandy Boat Tee, and this lovely thing was born!

I love the idea of pattern hacking, but I also love the simplicity of making something that is already perfectly designed to be what it needs to be. If you’re in the same boat - interested in but wary of hacking patterns - the shirt-to-dress hack is one of the easiest there is! The Mandy pattern has only three pieces - front, back, and sleeve. I guesstimated the length that I wanted, based on where my other Mandy tee fell on my frame, and decided I’d add about 10 inches. I lined the front pattern piece up on the fold, and measured the additional 10 inches down to mark my length. I then simply followed the lines of the hem and side of the original pattern piece, marked these out, and started cutting. I repeated this on the back pattern piece, and from here forward, followed the same pattern instructions as given for the original Mandy Boat Tee.

If you’re considering making a similar hack, be sure to use the existing pattern pieces to choose your desired dress length. For reference, I am 5’8”. Another important consideration is the drape and weight of your fabric. The knit I used for my original Mandy Boat Tee is thinner and drapier than this one, so I knew that the shape might look different. With this in mind, I added a slight bit more length than I would have, otherwise. The thicker, less drapey knit will result in a dress that holds shape well but does not flow down, which can make dresses appear a little shorter than intended.

This knit is a great quality. Despite being a white base, it is quite opaque and I do not have to put too much thought into the color of my undergarments when wearing it! The pattern I chose does not result in the fabric being stretched over me for the most part, but even when the fabric is stretched, the leopard print is still intact. It is breathable enough that I stayed comfortable at our local wine festival on this unexpectedly warm end-of-summer day, but will also be great as the temperatures keep dipping this autumn.

Right now, this has been my favorite way to style this dress - black ankle booties and a black hat. Now that Texas is starting to consider some autumn weather, though, I think it will be great with some taller black boots, as well! The simple, oversized nature of the dress allows it to change style fairly easily with the right accessories. I could pair it with some sneakers for a more laid back vibe, or dress it up with some black heels for a date night with my hubs. Lots of fun options here!

Top: handmade by me

Fabric: Minerva - Cotton Jersey Knit Fabric Cream

Pattern: Tessuti Fabrics - Mandy Boat Tee

XX Elizabeth (www.pinsandpinot.com)

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