Geranium Expansion Pack: the bodice extension

made by rae GXP bodice extension

In this post I want to introduce you to the bodice extension, a new pattern piece included in the Geranium Expansion Pack. The bodice extension is probably the easiest element in the expansion pack to add, and I love how it really transforms the dress into something more sophisticated and “grown up,” which i think you’ll love, especially if you’re making this dress for an older child.

To help you visualize what the bodice extension does, I made two Geranium dresses for Clementine in the same size, one with and one without the lengthened bodice:

Geranium XP - bodice extension

As you can see, the one on the left has the bodice extension added, and the one on the right is the original bodice. For both, I started with View B of the original bodice, which has the faux cap sleeve. Both have the top-length skirt from the original pattern. I added the hem band to the one on the left to make it into a longer dress.

See how the hem of the skirt is lower on the left? Something to consider when you add the bodice extension is how the entire length of your dress will change; the one on the right is tunic-length, and works nicely with leggings, pants, or shorts underneath, while the one on the left (even without the hem band added) is definitely a dress, even though I used the top-length skirt for both.

Geranium Expansion Pack - bodice extension

Here are some photos of them on Clementine, so you can see the difference when worn.

Geranium Expansion Pack - bodice extension

Geranium Expansion Pack - bodice extension

Geranium Expansion Pack - bodice extension

As you can see, Clementine loves her new Geraniums. Diva much?

Here’s a look at the back. You can either add an additional button, or just spread the buttons apart if you add the bodice extension:

Geranium Expansion Pack - bodice extension

Geranium Expansion Pack - bodice extension

Geranium Expansion Pack - bodice extension

Here’s another side-by-side look at the bodice extension. For our cover shoot, we made the pink dress with the bodice extension, and the gold dress without. I love how it looks with sleeves and the neck bow!

Geranium Expansion Pack sewing pattern

Level of difficulty

The bodice extension pattern pieces are taped to the bottom of the original bodice pieces before cutting them out, making it by far the easiest element in the expansion pack to incorporate. You can also slide the extension down for more of a drop-waist effect, or up if you want something in between. This adjustment is something that is easy to do (even if you don’t own the expansion pack), but I thought that it would be a nice addition to have these pattern pieces to make it super easy. They produce a really nice proportion, and you’ll love how this simple addition can really transform your Geraniums!

Visit the Geranium Expansion Pack Page to see all blog posts related to this pattern, or buy the Geranium Expansion Pack in my shop!