Red, White and Blue Knit Maxi Dress

Love it when a plan comes together as lovely as this dress did! Andrea is a professional seamstress and sewing instructor in the Houston area as well as an ambassador for Bernina USA.  Thank you Andrea for sharing this summer addition to your wardrobe! You can follow all of Andrea’s sewing adventures, tips and techniques at sewtofit-andrea.blogspot.com.

Was I thinking of Independence Day when I made this dress, was my mind set on the Stars and Stripes of our country? No, I was being me….just sewing because I liked the look of this fun design.

McCalls 6559

I made the placket front because of an idea I got from some current Michael Kors designs. Grommets and eyelets must be the new exposed zipper.  The star was adhered after the right side seam was sewn and before the lining was inserted.  I used a spray adhesive to secure it before I used a simple zigzag appliqué to permanently secure it in place.  There was no stretching using the walking foot.

Pattern and Construction Notes: 

Listed as a “Very” close-fitting, pullover dresses. E and F: front seam detail, bias upper/middle fronts, and lower front/back (cut on crosswise grain of fabric. All have narrow hems.

Pattern Sizing: I cut a size 14 with a 1/2″ FBA and graded to a 16 at hip front and added 2 inches to the “back” hip only.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  I have liked this dress since it came out. The star is what did it for me, it is such a cute whimsical addition to the simple maxi dress. I even enjoyed having the stripes being two sided. This helped keep it from being boring.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  I did not follow the instructions, and its not because I sew a lot, its just an easy sew. The neckline was changed substantially.  

Fabric Used: Reversible Stripe Knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:I lengthened it above the waist by 1″ and at the hem by 2″inches. I should have done more at the hem, because it does run very short.  A double placket was added to the neckline to add some pizazz!