Sew Your Own Maxi Dress

Okay, I know you have seen this dress just a FEW times on me {last week's What I Wore}...But I can't help it...It is just so comfy!  I have had a few people ask how to make one and it is keeping with our summer theme for the week, so here we go.

Like most everything else I have ever made, this isn't an original idea and this website, A Small Snippet, has a great tutorial {and other really cute fun stuff}.  Our dresses differ slightly since she used cotton fabric and I used jersey so I will try to quickly explain the differences.

Cotton fabric has little to no give, so she had to measure 1.5 times around her body for the width so she could gather the fabric at the waist, use elastic thread {or you could just use an elastic band} so it would fit over her head.

Jersey material has a lot of stretch so I measured my exact width {which proved a little challenging with the belly and all}.  I decided to use two panels, one for the front {which was wider due to the belly} than the one for the back.  I used a very scientific method to figure this out...I stood in front of the mirror and pinned the fabric to myself {I don't know if I could do it again if I tried}.  I also did NOT have to use elastic thread or an elastic band because the material is so stretchy. I simply used a zig zag stitch {to allow even more stretch} when attatching the skirt to the tank top at the empire waist. Plus, because my stomach is bigger than my bust right now {attractive, I know} I have NO problem getting the dress over my head.

NOTE: If you aren't real sure about sewing, or you just want to make it easier on yourself...DON'T USE FABRIC WITH HORIZONTAL STRIPES...It just creates extra work trying to line up with stripes.

TIP: One really simple tip I wanted to share that I found when making this dress...but not just for this dress, many times when you are sewing...when working with jersey or other stretchy material, if you need it to keep it's form, stick something hard {I used the lid of a plastic bin, but you could use cardboard or a book} in it while you are pinning and it will help keep it's shape, plus you can slide the pins in so much more easily.

Now you can decide if you want to make a belt or not. 

Most of the time I wear this dress without a belt, just because I like the more casual look.

If the waist doesn't look REALLY finished {which is totally understandable} or you want to give a pop of color or dress it up, you might want to hide it with a belt.  You can make one like she did at A Small Snippet, where you just have a long tie and make a bow in the back. 

Or you can make one like I did {I am not a huge fan of bows on dresses...every maternity dress has one and it drives me nuts} using buttons.

 I added a flower broch to mine, just because I wanted 'FLAIR' haha!

Or you can just use a regular thick belt if you have one you like.

There are a million and one ways to make a maxi dress...but how ever you make it, you will be VERY happy you did {plus you will save so much money...a maxi skirt from Gap is $40 and I made this dress for $8}!!!