My Image M1411

Every summer since Maxi dresses have come into style, I've said I'm going to make one.  And every summer I've put it off and didn't get it done.  This year I decided to stop procrastinating and just sew one.

I have quite a few maxi dress patterns in my stash, but this little number in the Spring 2014 issue of My Image finally gave me the push I needed to get started.  It's very simple and quite modest with it's tank style bodice and I liked the ring detail on the belt.

One thing that I like about My Image is that unlike Burda, everything the models are wearing in the magazine is offered as a pattern.  No falling in love with a skirt or pair of pants only to find that the pattern is for the blouse.  And even though they make the model garments up in some wild fabrics, the models are posed so you can see the finished garment pretty well.

So here is my version of M1411 in an ITY knit print I picked up at Hancock's last year.  I'm not 100% satisfied with my pattern placement, but I was trying to maximize the teal and rust and I had just enough of this print to cut out the dress.  Oh, well.  Live and learn.

I cut a 42 shoulder and eased out to a 44 at the bust and a 46 at the hip.  The back skirt looked narrow so I gave myself an extra 3/4" on each side to keep the side seams straight.  The dress turned out rather loose through the bodice and I ended up taking it in all the way down the sides about 1/4".  It still feels loose and I might go back and nip it in a tiny bit more.  This is the second My Image project I've made and both turned out big and had to be taken in.  I'm sensing a pattern here...

I also added 5/8" of length to the bust to make sure the under bust seam ended up in the right place.  This was after a quick and dirty bodice muslin.  The muslin was just about right across the fullest part of my bust, but way too big at the under bust seam.  I ended up taking off an inch from the side of the front and back bodice pieces, tapering to about 1/4" at the armhole.  I also noticed the the back bodice piece was much wider than the top of the back skirt and would never have fit together without my alteration.  I'm not sure, but I think the back bodice is missing some darts.

Other than the pattern placement, I'm quite pleased with this dress.  The neckline is just right- it shows some skin, but doesn't feel scandalous and the dress is bra friendly.  The skirt is drafted with tiny pleats at center front and generous darts in back so the skirt skims the body and hugs the figure in the back.

I did make one major change...  I could not find a ring for the belt.  I decided to use a plastic buckle and make the belt one piece instead.  It worked out just fine.  I'd still like to make the ring version, so if anyone knows of an online source, please let me know.  

I'm so glad I finally got around to making a maxi dress.  I already wore it out and road tested it and it performed just fine.  I was comfortable and felt good in it all day.  I liked it so much in fact, that I already cut out another one today.  Stay tuned for more on that in a day or two.

I am on vacation this week and I have lots of sewing plans.  The Princess and I are working on a project together and I have a couple of things I'm making for her as well as that maxi dress I cut out today.  I hope to have much to wear and share before the week is done.