How to be your own Sewist? #5 Maxi Dress

Once you start sewing, there's no going back, right? Wearing something you made on your own is another level of satisfaction.

For this month’s post, I would like to introduce you to Peppermint Magazine. This is an Australian magazine that publishes every couple month and has one free sewing pattern to download from their website.

You can find all their free sewing patterns here. This is a great resource for a beginner sewist to get to know different independent pattern designers and use their patterns for free.

Coming on to our own series, I chose to make the Peppermint wide strap maxi dress by Elbe Textiles. Lauren from Elbe Textiles has lovely patterns, and this is one of my all-time favorites.

The Pattern

This beautiful maxi dress pattern can be made using multiple different types of fabric. Check out all the makes on Instagram. This dress has beautiful finishing and slits on the sides. The back sits slightly low and has an elastic to adjust the fit. It is still bra friendly. All these aspects make this dress perfect for the summer!

This pattern also has unique cut out pockets which I love and have used in multiple other garments!

Looking through the size charts, I chose to cut out size D according to my bust measurements. I did not make any changes to the pattern.

 

The Fabric

This dress will look gorgeous in many different fabrics. I particularly like it in fabrics like cotton and linen because of the light structure these fabrics have. 
For this post, I chose to make it in this gorgeous purple Sambalpuri Ikat fabric. If you have been following me on Instagram, you will know the love I have for ikat fabrics.

This weave from Sambalpuri is especially awesome due to its detail, you can read about it in detail here. My husband has asked me to make a shirt for him in this same fabric!
This fabric is also perfect for the summertime, light, airy and swaying with the breeze! ☺ I can imagine this dress coming along for beachside vacations and can also serve as a cover over a swimsuit if you want to. 

Sewing up the dress

This pattern has very easy to follow instructions with great diagrams. I have therefore not added any work in progress pictures. Another unique aspect of this pattern is amazing finishing. The whole garment is finished with French seams including the pockets. The neckline has a facing which acts as a channel for the elastic at the back. 
I have a short torso and one of the normal adjustments that I have to make for a good fit is to shorten the bodice. 
For this dress I used the straps to have the dress it where I wanted it to sit on my neckline. This worked out very well. I am 5’4” and I shortened the straps by about 3-4”. 

Techniques you will learn

If you choose to make this garment, you will learn to 

1. Sew French seams
2. Sew a facing
3. Insert an elastic inside a channel
4. Sew side slits

 

Such a simple pattern to sew yet looks so amazing. Give it a try in any design or fabric you love. While the best (& breezy) way to carry it is as is. But if you want to add a bling to your look, wear a contrasting belt on your waist.

Don't forget to share your moments in the journey of sewing in the comments below.
Let's inspire each other.

Author: Swetha Mohan