Does anything scream “SUMMER!” louder than a maxi dress? Particularly in a bold, bright print like this paint daub rayon jersey from Cali Fabrics. I knew this fabric wanted to be a maxi as soon as I saw it online, and in person it doesn’t disappoint. It’s my favourite type of squishy, medium-weight rayon knit – heavy enough to be fully opaque and drape nicely over bumps and lumps, and resilient enough to stretch out and bounce right back.
For the bodice, I used an old favourite, the Kitschy Coo Comino Cap. I like the cut-on cap sleeves and round neckline. I also appreciate that it is cut with extra length in the front to accommodate the bust. I’m always worried when patterns are the same back and front, because people aren’t made that way!
For the skirt, I used the Closet Case Files Sallie. I’ve made the jumpsuit before, but this was my first time using the skirt. Much to my surprise, it was the right length for me… so anyone taller than 5’2″, be warned!
The bodice is finished with folded bands, and the slits and hem are turned and coverstitched.
The one drawback of rayon knits is that the skirt can be quite heavy and pull down on the bodice. To solve this, I like to serge elastic into the waist on the inside. My favourite elastic to use is actually fold-over elastic, like you might use for making a headband or finishing lingerie. It is super stretchy and retains that stretch even once it’s sewn into a garment. I’ve tried clear elastic, 1/4″ elastic and various others with less success.
All this print called for a belt to break things up, so I made some belt carrier loops with a 4-thread serger chain. I basted them in place before closing the waist seam, and they do the job well! Now if only they could stop my belt from twisting around, like in the pic below!
All in all, this was a dress without sewing drama. It’s nice when plans actually turn out – I quite often find myself making big changes or tweaks as I finish a project. Not this time, though! I used 3 yards of fabric, with a bit of creative cutting and a seam down centre back of the skirt. I think there is enough left for a tank top or kiddy tee shirt.
What are your summer sewing plans? Do you have any fabric just begging to become a maxi?
Gillian is a teacher, cat lady, and colour-fanatic, and blogs at craftingarainbow.wordpress.com .
Beautiful dress! And isn’t it so nice when projects are effortless? *sigh* 🙂
Amen to that! I’ve been trying a lot of new patterns lately, but it was nice to sew up an old favourite for a change!
So beautiful! That fabric is awesome and perfect for a maxi dress. Also, what a great tip about holdover elastic. I’ve never heard of that before and will definitely be trying it out.
Thanks Tanya! I’m really enjoying seeing what everyone on the team chose and sewed given free choice! I love your dresses too!
This dress is gorgeous Gillian! Very you and very summer. I love it with the green belt too.
Such a gorgeous dress Gillian! I love all those bright colours, so very you, and so very summer! I love the green belt too!
Thanks Heather! Now picture me with scissors gouging out an extra hole in that belt as I got dressed – turns out I’m a little rounder than I was when I last wore it! 😛
I love a good maxi and this print is meant for scale! No top would suffice! Good work.
I think you are right! Such a bold print needs to be shown off!
Well, don’t you look lovely! That neckline is great on you — open, without being too revealing for school. The print is definitely YOU!
I wish I had a picture of the day a student made me a necklace (well, made it for herself, wore it, then gave it to me) with giant fist-sized play beads – and magically it had every colour from this print! Proof that if you wear a rainbow, you’l match anything! 😉
Love the dress and fabric. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
What ia wonderful crayon print -every color in the box. Love the side split.
Thanks! The pattern is roomy enough it probably doesn’t *need* the slide split, but I like how it looks!
Love the dress! The fabric is so much fun.
Thanks Carly! As soon as I saw this print, I knew it had to be mine! 😉
Gorgeous dress! I like how you broke up the dress in a middle by adding a belt.
Thanks Audrey!
Beautiful dress Gillian! (As instructed … hahaha … I came over to say hi!)
Hehehe – Hi!!
Wow! That fabric is amazing and the dress looks great on you. 🙂
Awww, thanks!
I love this! That print is fantastic and a maxi dress is the perfect use for it.
Thank you! It’s so nice when pattern and fabric combo turns out as I hope! 🙂
Such a breathe of fresh, colorful air! Let us know how the fabric wears – any pilling or fading? And gorgeous photos, too.
Good question! I’ve probably washed it 4 times now… I’d say there is the normal slight “aura” or fuzz on it that all jersey gets, but I always find rayon knits hold up better than cotton ones. So far so good!
It’s like this fabric was made with your personal palette in mind – what a great find! I love knits, but with the heat and humidity we’ve been having lately, even the lightest knit seems too heavy and clingy. I’d love to snap up a whole bunch of rayon challis for summer tops, but alas, emergency house repairs have devoured my spending money, so I’ll be making some separates from other stashed wovens instead.
Oh dear! Good luck with those house repairs!!!!
This is so gorgeous, Gillian! The colors of this fabric are stunning and look fabulous on you, in particular. It’s just such a joyful, pretty dress. Well done!
I’m so happy my dress convinced you to buy some! We can be twins from afar!
What a beautiful dress! I love your style.
Thank you! It’s so fun to be able to sew exactly what I want to wear!
Lovely dress. The colours look gorgeous on you. And what a stunning backdrop for your photos!
Thanks Leigh! What you can’t see is the goose poop on the group, and all the many families watching me with confusion! 😛 All in the name of blogging!
So cute! I got that fabric too and seeing your make has inspired me to start my dress this weekend 🙂
Awesome! What are you going to make??
A Marianne dress! It’s finished except hemming. Now to get pictures and get the blog post uploaded 🙂
Great dress, Gillian! That fabric is lovely- the perfect color combo for you!!
Your dress is lovely 🙂 An apparently I’m supposed to leave a random fact about myself, so here goes, lol. I love sewing with knits, but I only like wearing knits on my top half.
Do you like knit dresses? Dresses and leggings (under dresses) are about the only way I like knits on my bottom half – I feel like even ponte is too revealing of bumps and lumps on the bottom half!;)
It looks great on you – you have really nailed the fit on the top! Random fact about me – I like to bake fancy cakes.
Well, I like to eat fancy cakes – let’s be friends! 😉
I’m not sure i’d have dared to go for something so bright but now, I feel like trying more daring prints because this sure is a gorgeous dress!
I”m glad you like it! I love bright prints – they are definitely my happy place! 😉
YES! LOVE IT! I was looking at that fabric, too, but wasn’t too sure because I couldn’t see it full-scale. Now I’m sold!
Buy it! You’ll look great in these colour!
You look fabulous. Can you tell us how you inserted the fold over elastic?
Sure! I serge it on as I attached the bodice to the skirt! Easy peasy. I check how tight I want it, cut it to length, then pin it at four points around the waist.
Beautiful! I love that skirt slit. Also, I’m excited there’s a new blogging network to follow! 😀
With 20 contirbutor, we should keep you busy! 😉
I do like this fabric, G. Off to check out some options 🙂
They usually have Tencel denim, which always makes me think of you! 😉
Love your dress. So summery!
I love your maxi dress! I was surprised to read that you’re 5’2″. I am also and have yet to get on the maxi skirt or dress band wagon thinking this style will make me look shorter. You do not, so I maybe I need to rethink this!
I always feel tall in a maxi dress, no matter how short I am! I do like a long hem on maxis, almost to the ground, instead of an ankle-length hem… I feel like it gives the illusion of a bit more height!
This is so stunning!!!! Love the fabric and the pattern choice(s) are excellent 🙂
Beautiful! This fabric is perfect for a maxi dress like this. I would get a ton of wear out of that dress in the summer and fall!
Gorgeous pics Gillian. Love the fabric!