https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/new-dress-with-help-of-old-dress-part-two • Posted by Anna S.
Ever since I bought this fabric in Malawi I imagined a greek-inspired(or something like that) maxi-dress. However I was not sure if there was enough fabric as all the other ones didn't make the cut. But lucky for me it was just enough! Yet again I used an old dress as pattern and with a belt it turned out quite nice!
Ever since I bought this fabric in Malawi I imagined a greek-inspired(or something like that) maxi-dress. However I was not sure if there was enough fabric as all the other ones didn't make the cut. But lucky for me it was just enough! Yet again I used an old dress as pattern and with a belt it turned out quite nice!
Take your fabric. If you are doing a maxi-dress like me, make sure it fits around you and lenghtwise.
Lay the fabric down as you want it to be. For me I planned a slit by one of the legs as the fabric I use is kind of stiff. So I folded it lengthwise and put the old dress' side by the fold. Which also minimizes the sewing. And as I don't have that much space in my room I use my bed as my working space.
Then cut it according to how you want it, the straps etc. Let the length be as it is and fix it later on. A tip for which dress you should use as a pattern - if you are using stiff fabric(like me) use a dress with stiff fabric. A dress you know fits you perfectly without stretching. because otherwise it will get too small.
Then you hem everything that needs to be hemmed. My mom gave me a tip afterwards to make it hold longer - sick-sack stitch all the edges so they won't fray.
I'm not that good at explaining as I didn't really have a plan before I started. But after hemming, try it on and estimate how much you need to sew in the side/sides. I had to remake it several times to get it fitting me.
When you are satisfied - which took a lot of trials and errors for me - try it on and measure at what length you want the dress. Cut it with seam-allowance, hem and then sew the edges. Make a belt out of leftover fabric and you are good to go!
Voila! You can't see it in the picture but there is a slit up my right leg. Which is another tip if your fabric is really stiff. Because otherwise you might not be able to walk in the maxidress, which would be a shame.