Monday, August 15, 2011

It's Maxi Time!!!

Believe it or not, I haven't sewn anything for the past 2 weeks, but I was thinking about this fabric,
and the maxi dress that would come out of it the whole time.


Now that I think about it, it might even be more like two weeks that I've been thinking about this dress. Isn't that sad? I think so.

I purchased this piece back in June at Spandex House. When I saw it. I t was screaming/whispering to me that it wanted to be a maxi dress. Anyway, I got busy doing other things and then when I had the time, I either thought about something else or looked at other patterns. I was also trying to figure out what pattern I wanted to use. I have a few tank top patterns that definitely fit the bill but in the end, I narrowed it down to Simplicity 2189. What helped me with my decision was that I didn't want darts in the bodice, and I wanted a no brainer as I was sewing this baby up after work Friday night for my company outing on Saturday afternoon. By the way I didn't look at the directions, I just did my own thing. Plus the dress is simple enough that you really don't need them. By the way, excuse the hair in these pictures. It's looking a hot mess. These pictures were taken after my job's summer outing and the weather was not the best. Let's just say Saturday was the precursor to Sunday's torrential downpour.





I cut out the size 14. I cut the neckline lower by about 2 inches because I wanted a lower neckline and added about 10 to 12 inches to the bottom flaring is a tiny bit. In the end I removed 3 inches from the bottom of the dress. That worked out perfectly because I used it for the armhole bands.



For the neckband I cut a long strip of fabri
c about 2 inches wide.

I sewed one shoulde
r seam leaving the other one open and attached the neckband to the dress before sewing the other shoulder seam closed.



This fabric was a little on the thin side so I lined it with tricot.

Overall, I'm very happy with this dress and would make it again. Here is my pattern review which goes over in detail what I pretty much just summarized.


Pattern Description:

Misses' & Plus Size shirt, pants and knit dress or top.

Pattern Sizing:

I sewed the 14, View A.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes and no. I change the length of the dress to make it a maxi dress.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

I really would not know. I did not look at them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

This pattern looks pretty good so far and there are a couple more items I may make f
rom it. I picked this pattern to achieve a look I had in my mind for a tank maxi dress.

Fabric Used:

Rayon Lyra from Spandex House.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I cut the front neckline deeper by 2 inches and the back neckline deeper by about 1 inch. I also lengthened the dress pattern by about 10 to 12 inches, but then removed from the length about 3 inches. 2 of the 3 inches I cut off I recycled and used for the armbands. I did not use the pattern pieces for the neckband and armband from the pattern. I just winged it.

In putting the neckline and neckband together, I sewed one shoulder seam closed. I left the other one open and pinned the neckband to the neckline, right sides together. Once the neckband was on I serged it, then sewed the open shoulder seam closed. This technique enables the neckband to lay flatter and I like the look much better than sewing both shoulder seams then attaching the neckband.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes. I want to possibly work on the neckline a little bit more and possibly go for a r
acerback look next time. Yes I would recommend this pattern to others. There are a few more items in this pattern that I want to try.

Conclusion:

I'm pretty happy with the outcome of how my dress turned out. I was winging it and had a vision in my head with what I wanted. I got pretty close to it. The dress is very functionable for those lazy days of summer, and I looked and felt comfortable and chic at my job's summer outing.



11 comments:

Faye Lewis said...

Great maxi!
RE: the couture book by extreme I meant GREAT, extensive. Hope that helps.

Lori said...

Wonderful maxi dress, great idea lining it.

Myra said...

I really do like what you've done with this pattern and the fabric is very, very nice...I find that most of the fabrics I purchased from Spandex House are on the thin side too!

Elaray said...

Your dress is fantastic!

Mariela Alethia said...

I remember that fabric, you choose the perfect pattern to showcase the design to the max. Simple and prettyyyyyyyyyyyy.

Sheila said...

Cute dress.

Adelaide B said...

Awesome dress. I want a maxi, but by the time I finish it, it will be fall. Ahh, too many plans, not enough time.

Lisette M said...

I really like how you made the bands around the neckline and armholes. Looks great on you!

I'll be calling you...I'm going to NYC shopping day!!!

MushyWear said...

What a distinctive and fun maxi! I really like the idea of how you lined it with tricot.

Cennetta said...

Great looking maxi, lady. You know I want some of that fabric.;-)

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

I remember that fabric! You are looking good in that maxi dress and what a great use of the fabric!

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