It is time for another Pattern Remix Challenge! This time we are featuring one of our long-time prize sponsors, Violette Field Threads. Their Delaney pattern is a really great candidate for pattern hacking so we asked two past designers to give it their best shot and now YOU get to help us choose a just-for-fun winner!
AND if you want to try your own remix on this pattern or sew the classic original versions, just use the code vftdelaney40 for 40% off – valid on all Delaney size ranges through 7/26/25.
Now, on to the main event…
The Designers
Jenny of @madeofstarlitecouture is from Season 21 and was part of the PRP team for several years. She specializes in “next-level” sewing and changing up patterns.
Candice of @sewing4wildflowers is a recent Season 29 winner, known for her love of lace trims, gathered tiers and Boho style. Delaney just seemed like a really good fit for her aesthetic!
The Designs
It’s time to see what they have created!
The rules were simple- just take the Violette Field Threads Delaney pattern as a starting point, and make some changes to create a different look!
The voting poll is at the end and just takes a simple click!
Denim Jacket by Jenny @madeofstarlitecouture
Delaney was the perfect base to try a hack I’ve been contemplating for a few years now: a denim jacket! I’ve had this great stretch denim forever, and I thought it would be perfect for this experiment.
Full disclosure: this kind of worked, kind of didn’t? I definitely wouldn’t use a fabric with quite this much stretch if I were to do it again. There are some ripples that did not come out, even with steam, because of the topstitching. I also sized up two sizes, since the original pattern is a dress, and I wanted more ease for a jacket, but I probably could have only gone up once size and still had plenty of room. We were going for the oversized denim trucker jackets she tried on at Old Navy, and I definitely think we achieved that!
A brief breakdown of the hack:
- I traced out the entire pattern on tracing paper and cut it out. Technically I should have subtracted the seam allowance before I did any adjustments, but I was playing fast and loose this month, so I just went for it. It was mostly fine, probably because I did not make any changes to the neckline/collar. The sleeve worked because the fabric has about 40% stretch, which covers small miscalculations, but I probably would have run into more issues with a non-stretch fabric.
- The bodice pieces were pretty straight-forward. I cut the pieces apart where I wanted seams, with arrows for where I would need to add seam allowances. I added ⅝” seam allowance, despite the pattern having ½” seam allowances, because I wanted to do flat felled seams where I could. I borrowed the front pockets from the Desgas Dungarees, and very mathematically determined which size to use by holding up the pattern piece and cutting the one that looked right. I could not for the life of me figure out how to make functional chest pockets without doing a welt pocket across the front bodice pieces, so I used bias tape across the tops and just stuck the chest pockets on the front side of the front bodice pieces rather than on the inside like most of the jackets we looked at for research. I actually like the look better on the front!
- I used two full bobbins of thread with all the seams and topstitching on this jacket!
- On the many denim jackets I took pictures of at the store, the sleeve seam goes down the outside of the arm, not the underarm. So I cut a vertical line perpendicular to the sleeve hem at the spot where the pattern is marked to make a placket for the sleeve cuff. I then moved the cut piece over to the other side, removed the seam allowance, and taped it back together. I added seam allowance to my cut edges. I re-measured the sleeve cuff to make sure it still fit, and added ½” just in case, which was helpful to make sure everything lined up when I put it on.
- I did not put any buttons on the jacket yet! We are still waiting for the super cute bow stamped denim shank buttons to come from an Etsy shop in Thailand, but they have been stalled in customs for almost a month!! Someday they will be so cute.
- This adorable sequin patch was the perfect finishing touch. I found it on Etsy several years ago, and it has been patiently waiting in my stash for it’s time to shine!
- For the t-shirt, I used the Chromium Cropped Hoodie without a waist band, and made it with this bouncy, bubble gum pink rayon spandex. It’s almost an exact copy of one I made for a Back to School look a few years ago, that she wore until it got caught in the dryer. Time to order more pink rayon spandex in case this one meets a similar fate!
- I ran out of time to make the matching denim skirt that I had planned for this look, so we threw on the white skort we picked up at Old Navy on our research shopping trip
I loved this challenge! Violette Field Threads is one of my absolute favorite companies, and the only one I still test for with my extremely limited sewing time. They are my go-to patterns to hack, because the fit of their base block is perfect for my girl and I can start with something I know will work. I hope you enjoyed our look!
Denim Dreams by Candice @sewing4wildflowers
When I was invited to join the Delaney Remix Challenge, I just about kicked up my boots in excitement! I’ve had my eye on the Delaney pattern for a good while now, and this was the perfect excuse to finally bring to life the denim dress of my country girl dreams.
From the very beginning, I knew I wanted something sweet with a little twang—classic with a ruffled twist. I kept the original darts in the bodice for a clean, tailored look, but I gave the neckline a country-style split V and added a darling ruffle both in the front and back. Instead of going the traditional collar route, I used the stand piece to create a soft ruffle around the neckline—because when in doubt, add more ruffles!
For the sleeves, I drafted my own elbow-length design with a gentle puff and elastic hem. It gives the perfect blend of comfort and charm—like a field of wildflowers in the breeze. And let’s talk about that skirt! I kept the classic gathered front pieces, but in the back, I went full twirl-mode with a three-tiered ruffle skirt. It’s got just the right amount of volume to make any little cowgirl feel like she’s floating through a country fair.
This remix felt like stitching together a bit of country magic and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. The Delaney pattern gave me a beautiful starting place, and from there, I let my boots (and my imagination) run wild.
These are both so much fun AND we can’t get over how they both went the denim route but still had very different results! Amazing!!!
It’s super tough, but we like a little friendly competition here, so go ahead and help us choose a winner in the poll below!
BUT, first we want to thank Violette Field Threads for partnering with us for this event and remind you that the code vftdelaney40 gets you 40% off all Delaney size ranges through 7/26/25.