Earlier this month I finished up a maxidress for my DD, made from coral knit from my stash and cinched with a plaid silk doupioni belt.
I made a this wonderful pattern in linen several years ago and wore it to death. In fact, I still have it. It is a black windowpane check trimmed in white. Over the years with many dry cleanings the white silk doupioni has greyed, probably from the bleed-over from the black linen. Here is a photo of that dress that I made for myself back in the day.
My DD loved the pattern but wanted a knit fabric maxidress from it, meaning that all of that lovely hem detail would be lost (and it was). Also, because of the stretchy nature of the knit, the square armholes and neckline were slightly rounded off. But my DD loves it and that's all that counts.
Photos:
Pattern photo:
Line Drawing:
Materials:
I made a this wonderful pattern in linen several years ago and wore it to death. In fact, I still have it. It is a black windowpane check trimmed in white. Over the years with many dry cleanings the white silk doupioni has greyed, probably from the bleed-over from the black linen. Here is a photo of that dress that I made for myself back in the day.
My DD loved the pattern but wanted a knit fabric maxidress from it, meaning that all of that lovely hem detail would be lost (and it was). Also, because of the stretchy nature of the knit, the square armholes and neckline were slightly rounded off. But my DD loves it and that's all that counts.
Photos:
Front view
Pattern Used: Vogue 1606 OOPBack view
Pattern photo:
Line Drawing:
Materials:Fabrics:
Plaid doupioni from stashCoral jersey knit from stash
Thread:
Thread:
Mettler 100% polyester thread in sewing machine
MaxiLock 100% polyester thread in serger
Machine Needles:
Size 80 Universal
Machines:
Machines:
Janome 6600 computerized sewing machine
Elna Pro 905 DCX computerized serger
Things I did with this project (that weren't in the pattern instructions):
1. Maxied it to the floor, which of course lost that hem detail.
2. Cut the center front and center back on the fold of the fabric, eliminating the seams.
2. Cut the center front and center back on the fold of the fabric, eliminating the seams.
I learned that there was, for me at least, no way to make a knit binding form a square edge if it doesn't want to. I stayed the corners with fusible stay tape, but it still was not strong enough to hold the square. I fiddled with mitering the corners and also with handstitching the binding to form a miter, but neither outcome looked good.
Things I would do differently, were I to make this dress again:
I would love to make this dress again for myself, but out of a firm fabric like linen, not out of a knit. And I certainly would preserve the hem detail as well!
I also would elongate the belt so that, for me, it is not tied with a bow in the back. Bows in the back are no longer my style, but it's a cute treatment for my DD's dress.
I would love to make this dress again for myself, but out of a firm fabric like linen, not out of a knit. And I certainly would preserve the hem detail as well!
I also would elongate the belt so that, for me, it is not tied with a bow in the back. Bows in the back are no longer my style, but it's a cute treatment for my DD's dress.
12 comments:
Wow, both versions are very cute! What a great design and both versions are really lovely!
I agree, both versions are lovely. (I do love that hem detail on the short dress though.)
Kathryn, that is gorgeous! The plaid in the tie just barely shows up on the screen. I had to look closely to see what a nice effect the plaid gives. Having sewn a knit maxi-dress, I also found it to be more difficult than I expected. You would think adding an extra foot of fabric would be no big deal, but it does change everything.
I am fascinated that your DD is able to look at fabrics in your stash and come up with ideas. That is a real design skill. (one I find elusive!!)
so, kudos to both of you.
:)
This is lovely and I'm sure your daughter adores it but you really should make this in it's original form again for you. Marcy Tilton has some amazing printed wool gauzes that this would look stunning in with a turtleneck, tights and boots.
Both versions are very appealing! Neat to see 2 such different verions.
Very pretty. The pink maxi dress has a Gretian feel with it's ties criss-crossing in front.
Adorable dress for you and your daughter, who is lucky you still sew for her.
Karendee
Both versions are great! That's a much better looking garment than the pattern envelope would indicate. Very nice!
Both are truly gorgeous!
Love the black and white version. that pattern is so now.
Both look great. It is amazing how different they look from each other. I love the plaid belt. It is subtle but very effective.
That is stunning in its maxi form for your DD but I agree that the hem detail is particularly appealing and I think you should make a new version for yourself.
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