The Mission Maxi Dress!
8:15 PM
Pattern Sizing: 2-18, I cut the 14.
Fabric: Striped Rayon blend knit (63% rayon/34% polyester/3% lycra) - Fabric.com
Fabric: Striped Rayon blend knit (63% rayon/34% polyester/3% lycra) - Fabric.com
Description: “A soft free flowing maxi dress sewing pattern with plenty of options to choose from: tank top maxi, halter top maxi, and godet back maxi. Views A and B can be made as tank tops too! The pattern booklet includes a glossary of terms, metric conversion chart, and illustrated instructions in color. Full size pattern pieces in sizes 2 to 18 accompany the booklet.”
This is a "new-to-me" pattern company so before I made the first cut, I read through all of the instructions in their entirety. And they're really good! There are lots of illustrations and tips for working with knits that a beginner could follow. As a matter of fact, a "beginner" would benefit greatly working with this project. They'd learn a lot!
I love the racerback style. Very much like the RTW maxi dresses hanging in stores. I really like the way binding is sewn on. So NOT like the Big 4! The way it's done is very RTW. And it makes the sewing go a lot faster. And also since this is a knit, I didn't bother hemming. It's not like it'll fray. And plus, I've been seeing soooooooooo many RTW knits (especially at stores like BCBG Max Azria) that leave their hems raw... even the sleeves. Plus, I think they drape better without a sewn hem. For the summertime, I'm all for speed sewing... I have things to do!
And the only alteration I made was lengthening by five inches! I'm tall and I like my maxis long!
And for kicks, I decided to copy my black Helmut Lang dress since I like it so much. Now I don't have to wear the black one everyday!
I used the pattern for both dresses. And I learned that it reacts differently to different fabrics. The first dress was a rayon "blend". The green dress is a rayon lycra knit. I had to be really careful with the green dress. I noticed the neckline and the armholes "growing". So if I were to make this again, I will stabilize the neckline and the armholes with clear elastic.
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46 comments
SUPER cute Lady!!! I love your knit print! It's phenomenal. I just bought some striped knit to make a couple of tank dresses but they don't wow like this print! Nice job and thanks for the new pattern company info. Great job on the knock off too! You better do your thing! Looking good:)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Love the new hair cut.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the striped maxi dress! You look amazing in it.
ReplyDeleteLove your maxi dress and Helmut knock off dress, they both look fantastic on you! I totally agree about the quick summer sewing!
ReplyDeleteBoth dresses look great on you but I especially love the Helmut Lang one!
ReplyDeleteYou are killing it.
ReplyDeleteBoth dresses look fantastic, as is everything you make!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I just made a black and white stripe maxi the other day. I love your fabric lol.
ReplyDeleteYup, model status for sure. You look amazing!
ReplyDeleteWell Done!!!
ReplyDeletewow that is stunning!! Where did you find that striped fabric? Its gorgeous as are you!! Love the new haircut!
ReplyDeleteamazing striped maxi drss and great green dress, too. I have some of that striped knit, saving it for one of my daughters. After seeing your dress, I might need to keep the fabric for me!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute....Love the fabric..You rock girl
ReplyDeleteBoth these dresses certainly have that WOW factor! You work them well with your accessories....
ReplyDeleteIt looks really great on you, and I love the new haircut. You look fresh and summer chic!
ReplyDeleteThis is so gorgeous on you.....you are truly an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYou look great in your maxi! I especially love how you altered the hem line in the second pic. And the shoes! Oh how I heart those too!
ReplyDeleteIf you are on flickr please add these pics to my site http://www.flickr.com/groups/jamiechristinapatterns/
~ Jamie Christina
Hi! I really like the way you sew. Your things are always neatly sewn and perfectly fitting to the figure:))) Greetings from Russia!
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous - what a gorgeous maxi dress, the print is so summery yet sophisticated. Well done!
ReplyDeleteFab dress! Both versions look great and very different. Thanks for introducing us to new pattern company. And by the way, your new, short haircut is lovely. Women with pretty, feminine faces can always pull off short hair - you look great!
ReplyDeleteThey are both quite awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteBoth dresses look stunning! And loving the hair! Your sewing is truly inspirational - and looks so professional. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fabric. The whole ensemble is slaying me.
ReplyDeleteLove the striped maxi.
ReplyDeleteLove both dresses. Your hair looks fabulous! I would guess that you've got a whole lot less maintenance with this haircut like my white hair, it's so liberating and easy.
ReplyDeleteAwesome dresses! I love the asym. dress. & You look beautiful in your natural!
ReplyDeleteLOvE LUV IT! Wow you fantastic in both dresses! Thanks for the pattern info.
ReplyDeleteYou are ROCKING both dresses and the natural hair!
ReplyDeleteYou look awesome....love the print!!! Thanks for sharing the new pattern company. I've been wanting a maxi dress for the summer.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, and some yes!
ReplyDeleteI rarely leave a comment because I just like looking at your creations. But I must say you are rocking that hairstyle!
ReplyDeleteI just bought the Mission and Honey Girl pattern the other day(waiting for them to arrive)so it's nice to see it made up by you. Both look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes! That's what I'm talking about. Love the striped mission maxi. It looks so cool, comfortable, and stylish.
ReplyDeleteHey Erica, I picked up Vogue Mag today and saw the layout about you. Fabulous! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI loveyour new haircut its very edgy but still feminine. One day i will have as much style as you.
ReplyDeleteBoth dresses are superb! Love your hairdo too!!
ReplyDeleteErica, you totally rock. I always look forward to seeing your latest creation--the fit and the construction are always flawless and always inspire to me to keep at it...! Love the hair too!
ReplyDeleteFabulous dresses! I love the striped maxi dress!
ReplyDeleteYou most certainly are rocking that dress and the new do is HAWT!!!
ReplyDeleteI really like both dresses on you! You have a great sense of style, and you I love the garments you sew. I too saw the photos of you in the Vogue patterns magazine while in Joann's browsing this weekend. I felt like I was looking at a friend because I follow along with your blog often. I even leaned over to my niece who came with me and said "Hey, I know her!! (not really)" But thanks for all your inspiration, and I like the tip on leaving the hem on knits raw. I have contemplated it, but always end up finishing mine. Maybe I'll try that in the future.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Love these dresses!!1 That stripe is great in both the maxis and I love your new do too!!
ReplyDeleteLovin' it! And the HAIR!
ReplyDeleteLove this dress! Had no idea about this pattern company. Definitely going to show them some love. Oh, last but not least, your new haircut is fierce! Now I have sewing and hair envy.
ReplyDeleteI love your dresses. I have never heard of this line either. All three dresses look great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I will live in these for me vacation!!
ReplyDeleteLove your site and all the patterns, info! I am getting back into sewing again!!
ReplyDelete