Sewing hack: Turn the high Willow neckline into a low scoop neckline

So you LOVE the look of the Willow dress but perhaps you'd like the front neckline to be lower to create a typical sundress? Well this sewing hack is for you! Follow the steps below to turn your high front neckline pattern piece into a low scoop neck pattern.

 

Step 1

Hold the front bodice piece up against your body to see where you'd like your new low neckline to be. You could also use a top that you already have to gauge how low you want the front. For reference, I lowered the size H by 5" (13cm); this is including seam allowance. 

Trace off the original front bodice piece onto pattern paper so you don't ruin the original copy.

 

Step 2

On your newly traced front bodice piece, mark where you want the new neckline on the centre front.

 

Step 3

Using the back bodice piece, line up the back neckline curve with the inside shoulder point and your new marked line on the CF.

Trace the line of the back neckline onto the front bodice, follow the curve to create your new front neckline.

 

Step 4

For this sample, I chose to make the straps thinner as I wanted a typical sundress look. I took 3/8" (1cm) off both the inside and outside shoulder line. You may wish to leave the straps as they are or adjust as I have done here. 

NOTE: if you reduce the front bodice shoulder width, don't forget to reduce the back bodice shoulder width by the same amount also.

Step 5

Cut your new pattern out and you're good to go! The construction remains the same as the instruction booklet included in the sewing pattern. You will just need more binding to finish the new neckline.