Made by a Fabricista: Maxi Dress for a Cancelled Vacation

Back in February/March I stopped all winter sewing and begin my spring/summer sewing. I was determined to get a head start on spring! I'm usually one to sew for the season, but with a vacation to Las Vegas the first week in May, I knew I needed summery items sooner than later and I was going to get them done well in advance! 

I have had McCall's 6744 in my pattern stash for a long time was waiting on just the right fabric to use it with. Then came along some fabulous ITY knit prints from Tori Richard, and I was set! (They are mostly all sold out now, but check out our ITY Knit selection for other great prints.) Many of you probably bought this exact print! 

I wanted to be very particular about getting the fit of the top part right. I love wearing wrap-style dresses but find that they grow in the bust. Sometimes it is because of an ill-fit and sometimes it's the construction. I did a rough tissue fit of the top. I cut out a size medium, which goes along with my HIGH BUST measurement. The fit was good and it didn't seem like the front would gap very much. I still tacked the front because I hate even the slightest gapping. I also shorten the top portion 1/2" to allow it to sit in a more flattering area of my waist. 

If you do get gapping in the front of a wrap-style garment, I recommend tissue fitting first. You may need to do a full bust adjustment. You also may need to add stay tape to the front to keep it from growing. 

Other adjustments I made:

- forward shoulder adjustment 

- I added 1" to the hip area since my measurements did not match up to a medium on the bottom. 

I really like the gathered sleeve look. It's not too bulky and adds something interesting to a basic wrap maxi dress. 

The skirt has a front slit, which I didn't get the most flattering picture to show it off, but oh well. You get the idea! I added a belt from my closet -- couldn't believe it matched the fabric so well! Otherwise I would say that this dress is straightforward and easy to make. I think it took me an afternoon from cutting to finishing. 

I wish I would have gotten photos of myself wearing the dress in Las Vegas, but as we all know life throws you curves sometimes. It didn't get cancelled because of anything bad, but because I found out...I was pregnant! This is my first pregnancy and I had no idea how my body was going to be. Was I going to have morning sickness or not? Was it going to be horrible, who knows?? I felt more comfortable cancelling it than taking the chance of not feeling well in-flight and on vacation. (I was using points for the flight, therefore they were refundable. And the hotel was refundable too. Yay!)

These photos were taken back in early April when I was about 7 weeks along. I got morning sickness, but not quite as bad as some stories I hear. I was super tired and all I wanted to do was lay around. I was feeling decent the day these photos were taken but it took a lot of effort! I definitely had food aversions and sense of smell was heightened. (I even had to change out the scented soap in our bathroom because it bothered me too much!) 

Since finding out I was pregnant, I haven't had a chance to do a lot of sewing. Between trying to finish a double wedding ring quilt, a malfunctioning serger, sleeping and trying to keep up with the essential housecleaning tasks, I was too tired to sew! (Ok, I was 3/4 of the way done with the quilt but it has been a project that would come in and out of the closet for the past 7 years! All hand-cut pieces and then machine sewed. The days I felt good enough to sew I knocked out this labor of love!) (AND the good thing that came out of a malfunctioning serger-- a new serger AND coverstitch machine!) I guess I shouldn't have too many complaints right about now!

I leave you with this-- as I write this, I am 18 weeks along and feeling SO much better! I'm feeling a lot more normal, just slightly bigger in the tummy. My energy has returned but I still take it easy as to not overdo it -- doctor's orders! AND two days ago we found out the gender! It's a.....BOY! We're beyond excited and have a lot of work ahead of us to get prepped for baby boy. 

Here is one of our pregnancy announcement photos. Baby B as we call him, is due in November right around Thanksgiving. We're so excited and feel very blessed!! 

My husband is a food blogger (Berks County Eats) so his shirt is very fitting for him. He actually came up with the idea! 

My future sewing plans consist of maternity clothes and loose fitting items that I can alter after the pregnancy as my body changes. No fitted clothes for me right now!! I also hope to sew a few things for baby boy!

Happy Sewing!

Julie