DIY jersey maxi dress

Vogue 8921: DIY jersey maxi dress

Last year I made a chiffon maxi which I have worn a couple of times. I do like it, but I don’t like the fact my boobs feel like they are falling out of it. Plus, you know, the hubby said it was not flattering. Pah! What do heterosexual men know of women’s fashion? 🙂

So this is this years attempt. An oh-so-easy-quick-and-breezy jersey maxi dress, made using Vogue 8921. This is an FAST pattern to sew up…it took me a morning to sew (plus, like an hour to cut out?) The fit is not perfect. But it is more than wearable.

Here’s the line drawings first:

Vogue 8921 – line drawings

Vogue 8921: DIY jersey maxi dress

Here’s a close up of the fabric (a light cotton jersey). Phil did say this version was nice…but the colour is “dowdy brown”…..hmmmm….I like to think it is a neutral colour, that I can pair up with lots of different accessories.

Vogue 8921 – fabric close up.

The dreaded back view:

Vogue 8921: DIY jersey maxi dress

Pattern Review:

Pattern Description:

Dress has fitted bodice with waist and front shoulder pleats, and back zipper. Necklines, drape B, sleeves B and C: narrow hem.

I made view C.

Pattern Sizing:

6 – 22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes, but I did my own thing. See below.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I like the finished dress. It is very easy to sew. The neckline is very low. And for me, it was very long.

Fabric Used:

Cotton jersey.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I raised the neckline by 3 inches. I don’t know if this was too much (?) but I wouldn’t have felt comfortable exposing my bra, and I hate wearing camisoles under dresses.

I shortened the length of the skirt on the pattern by 2 inches, but ended up taking a further 3 inches off the length. I am 5 foot 3 inches and with some clever laying out of pattern pieces I was able to cut this dress out of 3 metres of fabric.

I ended up chopping out a huge 3 inch wedge from the centre back (after I had sewn the dress up), tapering down to nothing at the front before hitting the pleats in front, as a kind of crude sway back adjustment. If I want to sew this again I will have to adjust the paper pattern.

I chose to overlock my edges, turn them over and stitch down rather than doing narrow hems.

I set the sleeves in flat.

I shortened the sleeves by 2 inches.

I omitted the zip.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I might, and yes, I definitely recommend.

Conclusion:

Quick and easy project with great results. Great for a beginner too!