Tuesday, July 12, 2011

THE KNIT MAXI DRESS(!!)

Two sewing posts back to back? YES, yes indeed. Because I'm so excited about this I had to post it right after I finished.

Last week, Jill at Made it on Monday posted a tutorial for a simple maxi dress. (btw, Jill has great posts ALL THE TIME, this is just the first one I thought I could handle by myself! Check her out, seriously.)

I already had the fabric AND we're going to the beach this weekend ... a fun new dress was in order!

Yesterday, during nap time I started studying the tutorial and kept thinking I was missing something or maybe not understanding exactly right or probably, I just wanted to be 101% sure that I WAS reading it right that I made a non-knit prototype dress. That's right ... I made a practice dress before I made the real dress. (sigh) I ended up having it right after all and whipped up the prototype up in a couple of hours.

It definitely helped me figure out how to better cut my SUPER stretchy knit. And gave me a couple of ideas of how to tailor the dress more to my body type and how I wanted it to fit.

the prototype.
I used Nanny's fabric and didn't bother to baste the skirt ... that saved some time. I did try this on but it was slightly obscene. I'll spare you. I could have spared you again and actually slapped on a little makeup and fixed my hair ... eh, oh well.

THE DRESS((!!))
I cut the straps 4 inches wide instead of 8 inches and I didn't add the zipper (again, because this knit is SUPER STRETCHY) but otherwise, followed the tutorial. I love that the bodice is lined. And well, I pretty much love the rest of it too. It's really comfortable and flow-y.

I really am proud of myself. And THANKS AGAIN, JILL. I love your blog!

13 comments:

Rita Bird said...

I am most impressed. I love how you have straps. In stores it's hard to find a maxi that does, and I am the kind of girl that NEEDS straps. Great job and I love the color.

Christy Ross said...

I know. I NEED the straps too! Come sew with us next month and make one ... it's super easy!

Jennifer said...

This turned out great! I may have to go get some plain jersey. The red stripes would be too much for this dress for me! Maybe grey.

I second Rita coming next time! I'll make it with you.

Lee said...

Super impressed. And it doesn't look like you made it. Looks like you bought it.

You know, people make kids clothes and sell them but rarely do you see big people's. Maybe you need an etsy site.

Christy Ross said...

Lee, I have an etsy store. I made it when I started crocheting hard core and I STILL haven't put anything in it!!

TL said...

amazing! you continue to convince me that i should sew!

laurensmommy said...

Good job, Christy!! I really love the red on you, too! It looks great!

laurensmommy said...

Good job, Christy!! I really love the red on you, too! It looks great!

The Oily Bumper Mama said...

I really like! Go you.
Think I may have to try this tutorial out myself. You look really comfortable.

S-B said...

Wow...I'm impressed. That dress rocks and you looks great in it. Red is your color :)

Jill said...

Hi Christy! So you totally made my day with this!!!!!! Your dress turned out beautifully! And, I'm so glad the instructions made sense (even if it felt like they didn't at first). I also think it's great that you made a trial run dress too. Way to go and thanks for sharing!

Deborah said...

I was tickled to see you did NOT put in a zipper. I have material I want to use to make one ( and I"m still studying the tutorial ::sigh::: lol) and it gives...quite a bit so I keep asking if I really NEED the zipper - guess not!! Yours came out BEAUTIFUL hmm might be my crafty project of the day today since I have no $$ to take the kids any where LOL

Christy Ross said...

Deborah, give it a try! Since finishing it, the more I think about it, the hardest part was deciding how big to make the dress. Because my knit was SO stretchy, I almost halved my bust measurement AND my strap measurement. I recommend trying on the bodice after you get the straps on to see if you need to cut it down before doing the skirt.