The heat is still on and I don’t know how everyone else do some sewing these days. The other day, I was browsing my pattern stash longingly when this pattern caught my attention. It was Mission Maxi sewing pattern by Jamie Christina that I got as part of my Spring Top prize last year. The pattern is quite simple, a maxi-length jersey dress with only 2 pattern pieces for view A and B. I figured this would be the perfect dress to make in this weather.
I’ve seen this pattern made around the sewing blogs before -check out these pretty ones by Erica, Tigerlily, Ginger, and tie-dyed one by Natty Jane-, but wasn’t sure that I would be comfortable wearing such a clinging dress that shows every bumps. So this one is some kind of a muslin. The fabric is grey jersey from my stash.
From the pattern envelope: ‘A soft free flowing maxi dress sewing pattern with plenty of options to choose from: halter top, godet back, and a tank top.’ I made view A, the tank top maxi.
I cut size 2 on bust, tapering to size 4 on waist and hip. It was a quick sewing as expected, but my first result was disastrous! Not the pattern’s fault of course. First of all, I cut the the hem too short, and then I attached the binding incorrectly that resulted in gaping neckline and armholes.
Luckily I still have enough fabric left for a second try. The straps of the first dress were a bit too long for me so I shortened them about 1.5 cm, a bit too much maybe. For the bindings, I cut 3 cm-wide strips of fabric, folded them lengthwise and attached them using overlocker, pulling them a bit while sewing. No more gaping neckline and armholes!
The hem is left raw as it wouldn’t ravel. This was not a design decision, but rather the limitation of fabric that I had. You can see that the present length is still a bit too short for a maxi dress.
Well, I don’t know why I didn’t make this pattern sooner at the beginning of summer! Yes it is clinging on the body, but all on the right places. I tried it on yesterday after I finished sewing it and hasn’t taken it off until now. It is very comfortable. I should make a proper one before summer ends!
Pattern is Mission Maxi by Jamie Christina, size 2 on bust and 4 on waist and hip.
This looks great! I just got a great deal on some jersey fabric, and I may have to grab this pattern!
Very fun everyday dress! I love your haircut BTW!
I have made three of these and I agree that the straps are too long. I love how you did the binding. I will have to try that way next time. And yes it should be a bit longer. I cut my first one a bit too short. Now I cut them long because the jersey always curls up anyway when you walk.
It looks the right length to me. Any longer and you’d be tripping on it or driving over the hem with your chair. It looks great!
What a beautiful dress! Looks great on you!
Gosh, you look cute! This is such a nice shape on you (but it’s not too surprising since everything you make looks so great on you!)! Thanks for the shout-out!
I would love that in a knee length to wear as a comfy nightgown! If it weren’t nipped in at the waist, I’d love to have it for a little something to wear over my swim suit; an A-line that would be easy to put on and take off. That would be an easy alteration, though. Yours is very nice in the longer length, though!
Cute , flattering and practical!
Thanks for the mention! Looks lovely on you. It is such a super comfy dress and you are right…it clings in all the right places. I found the pattern accommodates a woman’s shape pretty well and didn’t need to taper out at the hips, it almost looks like you could have got away with a 2 all over?
never seen you wearing a long dress but this one looks fab on you.