I Love My Maxi - M5624

So many sewists/designers/fashionistas have made beautiful maxi dresses. This weekend I made my first. I'm hooked and am already planning to make another. It's funny how my "To Make" list keeps growing. At the same time, I'm moving new garments to the top, "Must Make This Season".

A few weeks ago, I blogged making a mini wardrobe for DD (Career). The "project" hasn't been scratched from the list, but moved further down the list.

Pattern Description: MISSES' DRESS IN TWO LENGTHS AND JUMPSUIT: Close fitting dresses A, B or jumpsuit C have self-lined bodice with pleats, midriff and center back zipper; dresses A, B have very loose fitting skirt; jumpsuit C have semi-fitted pants.

From the pattern I made the jumpsuit and the maxi dress. I will try to review both in the single review. Hopefully I will not confuse anyone making sure I identify which garment I speaking about as a complete the review.



Pattern Sizing: 6 to 18; I made size 14 for both with modifications.

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




Were the instructions easy to follow? Pretty much. The instructions on how to twist the straps didn't tell you how many times to twist. I ended up twisting them about nine times. Then I had to shorten them by one inch. Other than that, the instructions were okay, standard.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? There are a few things that I like and dislike about the pattern.

Like:
I like the design of the bodice and thought the twisted straps were interesting. I primarily bought the pattern for the maxi dress, but thought the jumpsuit was worth a try as well. In the end, I still liked the maxi dress more than the jumpsuit.

Dislike:
After I completed both garments, worked on them at the same time, I didn't like the twisted straps so much. They feel a little bulky and don't lay as flat at the join of the bodice front and back.

The bodice front is a little lower than my comfort. If I use the bodice again, I'll bring it up about an inch.

Pleats at the bodice/strap join. This really isn't a dislike, but I think it would be better if I sew them down. It would looks neater.

Caution: The back is low too. You will need to wear a bra that fasten about two inches lower than the standard.

Fabric Used: Maxi dress - polyester print (red, biege, brown, black) from Hancock. On sale, I can't pass up a sale. I didn't pre-wash it.

Jumpsuit - Some mystery fabric (eggplant) with stretch from Vogues Fabric on Roosevelt. I did pre-wash it.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:

The same bodice was used for both. I did a FBA (compare original and new draft) and shorten the straps by one inch. Even with the FBA I noticed a very small gap at the side bust area near the armpit. Not much though. So next time, I'll tweak that area a bite.

Pant Back Alteration. I also shorten the front pattern.

Both the Dress and pant were lengthen about four inches. I also made my usual crotch alteration.

Dress: instead of the suggested hem method, I did a rolled hem.

Because the jumpsuit fabric had some stretch in it, I sewed slightly larger seam allowances. After, it was finished I felt it could have been sewn at the regular seam allowance of 5/8". I was just testing the stretchability of the fabric.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I will make another maxi dress. And yes, I recommend it to others, but with modifications. You might consider making a muslin of the bodice and midriff, straps attached as well.


Conclusion: I really like the maxi dress. The jumpsuit not so much. It doesn't look as smooth as I would like in the back. That could be because of my sway back.

I think this pattern is worth a try, test the bodice first. Espeically if you are a C cup or larger.