The Sammie Set: Hacks

The Sammie Set is packed full of options, but what if you want even more? This blog post covers three easy hacks to make Sammie your own!

Want just a simple woven peplum without the ties? Use the plain front and back ruffle top pieces with the keyhole back instructions and create your dream top! 

Check out these hack steps to pair with the existing Sammie Set tutorial below

1. Follow the directions for the side tie ruffled top construction, stopping before the sewing the side seams in step 41 (38 in the Grow+ tutorial).

2. Instead of only sewing ½”/1” down the side seam, sew all the way down the side seam

3. Press side seams open and turn bodice right sides out.

4. For the Adult, place two ruffle pieces right sides together. Pin or clip one short end and sew. Repeat with remaining two pieces. You should now have two long ruffle pieces.

5. For Adult and kids, place your two ruffle pieces right sides together. Pin or clip Both short ends and sew to form one long loop.sides out.

6. Sew two rows of gathering stitches across the top of the ruffle piece.

7. Find the quarter points of the bodice bottom and top of ruffle. Match the bodice bottom and ruffle top right sides together at the quarter points. Gather ruffle to fit the bodice and continue pinning/clipping around the raw edge.

8. Sew the ruffle to the bodice. Press.

9. Topstitch around the ruffle seam and the armholes if desired and add a button to the back as written in the tutorial.

10. Fold the bottom edge of the ruffle ½” to the wrong side and press. Stitch 1/8” away from the raw edge all the way around the bottom to hem.

You can also hack the bottoms and sew all the way down the side seams instead of stopping at the tie marks for a classic look.

Check out these hack steps to pair with the existing Sammie Set tutorial below

1. Sew the shorts pockets as written if adding them.
2. Skip the tie placement steps and go to step 98 in the adult tutorial or 94 in the Grow+ tutorial. Sew the inseams as directed.
3. Align the raw edges of the front and back side seams. Pin/clip in place and sew. Repeat with remaining front and back pieces.
4. Construct the bottoms as written from the crotch seam (step 103 for adults, 99 for Grow+) to the end.
5. Finish the raw hem edge of the bottoms. Fold 1/2” to the wrong side and press. Stitch 1/8” away from the raw edge all the way around each bottoms leg to hem.

If you want more coverage but still love the look of the tied front or back top, try this hack! You will need the pieces for the ruffled tie front or back top for this.

1. Place the ties as written in the tutorial for the ruffled front/back tie bodice but skip the bottom ties.
2. Follow the directions as written, stopping after completing step 77 for adults, step 73 for Grow+.

3. Pin the short ends of the ruffle piece right sides together and sew to form a loop.

4. Sew two rows of gathering stitches around the top of the ruffle and set aside

5. Separate your bodice main and lining at the open/tie edges of the bodice.

6. Place the left and right open bodice pieces right sides together, lining up the tie seams. Pin in place.

7. Starting at the bottom of the bodice, stitch in the ditch at least ¾”. You can sew higher than this if you want but make sure you don’t go past halfway up the bodice so it can be easily pulled over the head.

8. Turn right side out and press. Topstitch around the neckline, starting and ending at the bottom of the bodice where it is now connected.

9. Find the quarter points of the bodice bottom and top of ruffle. 

10. Match the bodice bottom and ruffle top right sides together at the quarter points. Gather ruffle to fit the bodice and continue pinning/clipping around the raw edge.

11. Sew the ruffle to the bodice. Press.

12. Topstitch around the skirt and armholes if desired.

13. Fold the bottom edge of the ruffle ½” to the wrong side and press. Stitch 1/8” away from the raw edge all the way around the bottom to hem.

Follow the directions above to either skip the bodice ties or for the split bodice only hack, but don’t cut and sew up the ruffle yet. Try on your bodice after sewing it up. Instead of cutting the crop or top length ruffle, measure from the bottom of your bodice to your desired skirt length on your body or the length of your favorite babydoll style dress pattern’s skirt and cut your ruffle to that measurement (I used Saffron as a guide for mine). Don’t forget your hem and seam allowance when calculating and cutting the length of your skirt!