Mystical Baked Beans Maxi Dress

 

 Displaying a pasty arm. It's the British way.

 

It's done! After the people spoke (or in fact, wrote), I used my wax print fabric to make a maxi dress by extending the skirt on this Style pattern:

Don't you think the pattern on the fabric has a definite 'baked beans' look to it?

 Here's how the project went....

 Pattern Used

 

 Style 2667 from the 80s. I made view 3 with a square neckline, extended it to maxi length

 What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 I liked the neckline, and the potential for extending the length. I also thought it would suit a belt, but now made, I prefer it without.

Fabric & Notions

Fabric was a wax print bought last year in Goldhawk Road. I bought it without a plan in mind and ended up with 4.8 metres worth as it was the end of a roll, so it was destined to be made into a maxi. Once washed, the fabric turned out to be quite thin (much more so than the usual wax fabrics I think) so I needed to line the bodice. If it was a shorter dress I would have lined the whole thing, but life's too short to line a maxi dress that will probably get limited wear.

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made

Added 1" to the bodice and extended the skirt length. I had to change the strap positioning so that they covered my bra straps (mostly). I also lined the bodice with black poly cotton.

Would you sew it again and do anything different next time?

I might sew it again in the shorter length for a fun sun dress, but I have no immediate plans to do so.

Did you use any new techniques?

Extending a skirt to a longer length. I made a new pattern piece and had to play around with the shape. In hindsight, I would have been better to just sew on a rectangle with gathers, as I think this would have created a better shape. 

Would you recommend the pattern to others?

Yep, there are a couple of other nice bodice variations too.

Cost

Fabric about £8, zip £1.50, thread £1.55, pattern 49p so £11.54 total.

Conclusion 

I'm pretty happy with the result. The bodice is a good fit, although it is a little wrinkled at the sides, which might be something to do with how attaching the lining affected it. The shape of the skirt is a bit weird as it flares out from the waist but then in again at the bottom. Not sure why this is, but it doesn't bother me too much.

I made it for holiday wear and it will be perfect for this - I don't see myself floating round my neighbourhood in it, but you never know! 

A voluminous skirt is the perfect hiding place for cats

What do you think of maxi dresses? Would you make one?

K x