Like I said yesterday, come hell or high water, I was going to make this dress! So today, I got to work doing something fun for me!
Pattern Description: From the Jamie Christina Website, “A soft free flowing maxi dress sewing pattern with plenty of options to choose from: tank top maxi, halter top maxi, and godet back maxi. Views A and B can be made as tank tops too! The pattern booklet includes a glossary of terms, metric conversion chart, and illustrated instructions in color. Full size pattern pieces in sizes 2 to 18 accompany the booklet.”
I made View A, the racer back, plain hem version.
Sizing: 2-18. My friend Allyn made this dress recently and when she found out I was planning to make it, she sent me a note to let me know that it has a close fit, especially for us curvy gals. Per her recommendation, I did a flat pattern measurement and decided to go with the size 14. I could easily have gone down to a size 12, even a size 10, if I wanted the fit through the waist and torso to be snugger. But the 14 gave me a little bit more ease. I recommend measuring the pattern and deciding which size to go with based on that.
Fabric Used: Bold Paisley Floral ITY Jersey. I LOVE this print and color!!!
For the contrast binding, I used Poly ITY Jersey in Beyond Basic Black. Both fabrics are from Gorgeous Fabrics (natch).
Needle/Notions Used: Stretch 70/10 needle. Thread.
Tips Used during Construction: Psssst… Hey Buddy, Ya Wanna Sew with Knits?, And Now a Word from the Pressinatrix.
Did it look like the photo or drawing when you got through? Most definitely!
How were the instructions? I didn’t use them, but I took a look at them when I was done, and they are great. If you’re a slightly experienced stitcher, this pattern goes together beautifully and you don’t need instructions. But if you’re a novice, they are clear and easy to follow.
Construction Notes: I did a FBA, and I’m glad I did. The pattern seems to be drafted for a somewhat pear-shaped figure. That’s not a criticism, just an observation. I could probably take the hips in a little bit with no ill effects. But it is closely cut through the upper body so if you’re busty, you’d be well advised to do a FBA.
Likes/Dislikes: I love the fit of this through the upper chest. I’ve run into problems with some pattern companies where they give you so much ease between the bust and shoulders that I have to scoop it all out. This pattern is cut more like good RTW, in that it fits closely above the bust. As I say, it’s beautifully drafted and practically falls together. I also like that it is bra-friendly and not too low cut. I’m no prude, but I prefer a scoop neck that lands about half way between the hollow of my throat and the bust point. This pattern fits that perfectly.
Would you do it again? Would you recommend it? Yes and Yes. I will probably make another dress and the top. I definitely recommend it. Here are some pictures:
Front…
… and Back
Detail of Neck/Armhole Binding
Conclusion: This took me a little over three hours from pulling it out of the pattern envelope to photographing it on Shelley. Definitely a winner!
I love your blog.
May you want us to follow each other.
xoxo
Nina
What a wonderful dress! I especially love your placement of the motifs (but I shouldn’t be surprised that you’d do such a great job). It’ll be a fabulous addition to your vacation wardrobe!
Lovely! It’s nice to see this dress in something besides a stripe.
I love this finished maxi! Absolutely gorgeous!!!
What a beautiful dress! I am in love with the fabric!
Wow, this really is a fabulous print and looks so great made up into this maxi dress. So stylish!
WOW! It’s GORGEOUS! You know, from the photo on your shop web site, I didn’t realize that this fabric had so much of what appears to be flesh tones. Seeing it on your mannequin, I did a double-take because it almost looks like swirling full-body tattoos, which I love because the fabric makes this modest, comfortable dress look downright sexy. Do you still have a lot of this fabric in stock, or do I need to hurry up and figure out what I’ll make from it and order it today?
I like this a lot. Very pretty fabric and will look great on you.
Wow-great dress. I love that fabric. It does look like tattoos!
This is a gorgeous dress – would love to see a photo of you wearing the maxi. How do you do a FBA on a knit fabric? Is there a tutorial somewhere that you can refer me to? I can’t see any darts, but perhaps this fabric is good at hiding them.
I am also looking forward to your next chapter in making a double. I don’t have a friend nearby to help me with fitting, so I would love to copy your idea to pad out the dress form to look just like me.
Ann your dress is stunning, that fabric is to die for.
Wow, Ann–this is stunning!
It’s fabulous, dahling! That beautiful print really has a chance to shine in a design with minimal seams.
Drop Dead Gorgeous!
Your video tutes are fabulous too – keep ‘em coming, please!
Absolutely beautiful! Could you please explain how you did the FBA?
Great dress and tutorial thanks for sharing!! P.S did you have to make a FBA on the dress?
Ah perfectamundo! The binding is the perfect touch, I love it
Beautiful! Perfect fabric choice – it lends a but if elegance to the dress.
Love your blog. Love the dress. Thanks for the tips on sewing with the jersey fabric. I just received your beiges/purples jersey and can’t wait to make my own maxi. I just love the fabric. I was telling my husband a few weeks ago that “blank(insert a variety of company names)” has pretty fabrics but Gorgeous Fabrics HAS gorgeous fabrics! This is probably not the first time you heard that . I look forward to ordering more soon.