This one is made from a fake batik-print jersey I bought from Girl Charlee at the end of last summer. My original intention was to make a Kimono Dress with it, but something kept holding me back - it just never felt quite right. Finally I decided that I'd like it better as the maxi.
I've made this so many times, there's not much to say about it - except that I've decided from here on out, I'm going to do the bindings the way they're done on the Renfrew neckline. As drafted, these bindings are narrow, so you're instructed to sew them to the opening, then turn to the inside and topstitch down. I can never seem to get my topstitching to be stretchy enough though, and the armholes end up being constricting. This time I used the "lightning bolt" stitch in hopes that it would help, but it's just as constricting as all my other ones. So from now on, I'll make a wider binding piece, then fold it in half lengthwise before applying both layers to the neck and arm openings. I think it will be much more comfortable to wear, and it will also give me a little extra width to hide those bra straps.
I'm still using the pattern I traced out a year ago - my adjustment is a size 4 at the bust and down to the waist, grading out to size 8 at the hips, to give me a body-skimming silhouette.
I wore this out to dinner and then a jazz concert last night. When I met Hubby at the restaurant, the first thing he said was, "You look pretty." Awwww! He hadn't seen the dress yet, so I was glad to get a thumbs up.
It was chilly, so I added on this old, old blazer from Old Navy:
And then a very soft scarf my sister-in-law bought me in Turkey a few years ago:
And my new clogs!
Which I admit are hard to see because they're almost the same color as my skin!
Because I was wearing a longer blazer, and because we were going out for sushi, I made the bold decision not to wear any shapewear, but I am wearing a half slip. Made it much more comfortable to sit through the concert - those seats at the symphony hall are the worst!
I've got two more new things to show you in the next couple days - and one of them is a pattern I've never made before! Imagine that!
That's gorgeous Gail! I love maxi dresses, I'll have to try this pattern. I love the way you've dressed the dress up with the jacket, scarf and clogs. Your husband was quite right to say you look pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank, Sam! I do like this pattern, but I've also just recently purchased McCall's 6559 which is almost identical AND which includes a little shrug pattern as well. I don't know if you guys get the same pattern sales on Big 4 that we get here at JoAnn's, but I got the McCall's for $2 - pretty big price differential!
DeleteWe occasionally get half price on the big 4, but nothing as good as your pattern sales!
DeleteThat's a great print and I love what you did with it. You don't look like you need any shape wear with it, blazer or no blazer. You've inspired me to move a maxi dress to the top of the sewing queue.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, you should make one! It's like socially appropriate pajamas!
DeleteSuch a casually chic look and your clogs are super cool!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The clogs are very comfy too - I'm glad I bought them!
Deletegreat dress, i love the print! i really need more of these maxi dresses in my life... it's just so hard to find the right weight of knit!
ReplyDeleteThis one is on the thin side, but I decided to take a risk and I think it's OK. Definitely needs the slip though!
DeleteAnother fabulous maxi. I took this out of the package and found myself with no space big enough to trace it. D'oh! To the dining table I will go :) Glad you mentioned the binding technique. Will take a mental note to finish my dress the same way.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the clogs. I have a nude pair as well. Love them.
Hehehe - I know! I have to cut these out on the (wood) floor! It kills my knees! I've taken to kneeling on a pillow while I do it and that helps a little.
DeleteYou sewed a wonderful maxi dress! The custom sizing really works with your body and you look terrific!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stef!
DeleteThis looks great on you! I have the Mission Maxi pattern but sewed up only the tank version as a muslin. I need to go a size bigger. Great tip on the binding. When I make mine, I may have to steal your styling!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I do usually like to wear at least a little something over these if possible, so I don't feel so exposed!
DeleteI've found that fabric choice really affects the fit of this dress up top. This one is in the middle, fit-wise, but I've got one that's quite a bit tighter because the fabric has so little stretch, and one that fits quite a bit looser because I used a rayon jersey. Of course, when I made those I didn't know that I should alter the pattern to compensate for the differing amounts of stretch!
I know exactly what you mean and it's something I definitely need to figure out. The first Renfrew I ever made came out great. For the next one I used a very stable knit and it came out too tight. I picked up a red heathered rayon jersey off of JoAnn's sale rack today and it's pretty stretchy so we'll see how it goes!
DeleteMaxi dresses suit you so well and you've mastered the fit issues on that pattern. The combo with the jacket and the scarf is great. And you ARE a pretty woman, so yeh, of course you looked pretty last night!
ReplyDeleteHehehe, thanks, Carmela! He's so used to seeing me in ratty old jeans and t-shirts that if I put on anything remotely nice, he thinks I look fancy!
DeleteReally lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sabs!
DeletePerfect dress! And are those the Dansko clogs you were mentioning? I want!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, these are the ones! Very comfy - this was the first time I wore them and I walked several blocks with no trouble. After that they felt a little tight across the ball of my foot (the widest part) but I think once they're broken in, they'll be perfect for walking.
DeleteThat print was just screaming to become a maxi dress! You look so cool in your finished outfit too :) I'm glad you like your new clogs! I have those too, in a darker brown. They're my first Danskos and I think I'm a convert!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Oh, Danskos are the way to go! Sadly, I've now discovered I can't drive in these, so they won't be the everyday shoe I was hoping they'd be.
DeleteI am truly envious of your ability to look so good in a maxi, they just don't look right on me. The print is perfect of course, I'm glad you decided to use it on this project. Your husbands reaction is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that, Ivy! I think you would look great in a maxi! With your beautiful long hair, it would be like you stepped right out of the '70s! (I think that's a good thing!)
DeleteThis is so pretty! The print really is perfect for a maxi. I love this style on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sonja! I was looking at your stripey one from last summer and I think I need one in stripes too :-)
DeleteI love this look! Here you go, making me re-think my whole not-a-maxi girl thing again . . .
ReplyDeleteCome on . . . You know you want to! Everybody's doing it! It'll make you feel good!
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