Thursday, July 28, 2011

Boho Maxi Dress: a tutorial



This dress is an incredibly easy make. By now you may have realized that I'm all about the simple projects. I'm far from being a master seamstress, I just work with what I know and try to learn as I go. 

I've never actually owned a maxi dress before, but now I might be hooked. They're so comfy and they have the added benefit of hiding my neglected, less-than-hairless legs. 

Want to make one too??


Materials:

1 4/5 yd Extra Stretchy Jersey Knit (60"wide) (You want a lightweight knit. If the knit is too heavy the dress will look frumpy.)
1/3 yd Trim Fabric
Dye

I know that there are many of you out there who have a fear of sewing with knit. Don't be afraid! Knit happens to be one of my favorite materials. It's extremely comfortable, breezy, and light. It's also a very forgiving fabric, especially in a project like this where there is a lot of gather. 


A couple of things to keep in mind when sewing with knit...

  • Let the material go at it's own pace when feeding through the machine
  • Use a zig zag stitch or a stretch stitch. This allows the seam to stretch unlike a straight stitch.
  • A walking foot and a ball point needle help avoid puckering. However I didn't use either of these. I just worked with what I had.
  • Knit doesn't fray! Another reason knit is awesome in my book. Leave your edges raw if you like. 


Tutorial:

Fold your panel of fabric in half along the 60" side.

Because it was so huge, it was difficult to get a decent pic of this step...so I drew up this nice little chart instead.

Sew everywhere you see the white dashed line.









After your 3 seams, turn your fabric inside out. At this point, you basically have a giant pillowcase.



At the closed, short end of the dress (what will be the top of the dress), determine the middle point. Cut Straight down 6 inches. This gave me a nice, modest neckline. Go shorter or deeper if you like. 




Cut out an 8" strip at both ends for the sleeves.






Now you'll have something like this:

reminds me of Cindy Lou Who


Plenty of length at the bottom even for my tall, 5' 9" self.  Don't cut just yet! I made this mistake and had to sew a trim at the bottom to add length after I washed and dried it. 


Now if you like the white, keep it as is and skip the next step.


Dye: 

So I searched long and hard for coral fabric dye to no avail. Finally I came across RIT's color formula guide and realized duh, mix the colors to create your own perfect hue! I guess that's kind of obvious. 

A little experimentation and I found the combination to achieve the perfect coral.

You'll need:




The pictures of the dress make it look a little darker than it really is. It's slightly lighter in person. Alter the recipe as you see fit. Less water will give you a darker hue and more water will give you a lighter hue.




1 whole package of tangerine RIT dye + 3 tsp. fuchsia RIT dye + 4 gallons hot water


You'll need a big pail, bin, etc. 



Dissolve the dye in a glass of hot water







Pour the concentrated dye solution into the pail with the other 4 gallons of hot water

Mix well and start dyeing your dress.





Keep the fabric moving constantly to avoid uneven dyeing. It only took a couple of minutes to get the color I wanted. Remember that the color you end up with will be 2-3 shades lighter than what comes out of the dye bath. 


Rinse well in the sink. Machine wash and dry. 





As I mentioned, I made the mistake of cutting length off the bottom too soon and had to add a trim.

It ended up adding interest to the dress and I'm happy with how it turned out. 


           If you want to add a trim too:
  •  Cut 8" strips of  your trim fabric
  • Sew together strips until you have a 65" long by 8" wide panel of fabric
  • Iron in half
  • Pin to the bottom of the dress, right sides together.
  • Stitch all the way around 







and done. 















Have fun in your new, whirly, twirly, boho-chic dress!






...



SHARE:

268 comments

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 268 of 268
HomeWorkFor.me said...

Nice article thanks for sharing. want to pay someone to do my homework ?

Unknown said...

Looking for Polka Dot Maxi Dress, Get the world's largest selection and best deals for Polka Dot Maxi Dress for Women from Style Grab

Zumi said...

I impressed with your insights about towel. You did a great job.

Zumi said...

Woah! This is so impressive. I like your idea about making a dress out of a cloth. Big thanks for sharing this and keep posting.

Nat Hill said...

I have got the good information through your blog; I will share this to my friends as well.
cheap evening dresses uk
evening dresses under 100
cheap evening dresses under 100

Spirit Wanderer said...

Buy latest collection of boho blouses clothing, boho jewelry, boho sandals at best deals on Spirit Wanderer.

Anonymous said...

https://youtubelampung.blogspot.com/
https://konsultanhp.wordpress.com/
https://komunitasyoutuberindonesia.wordpress.com
https://youtuberandroid.wordpress.com
https://youtuberterbaikindonesia.wordpress.com
https://jokowidodoandroid.wordpress.comhttps://bupatibandarlampung.wordpress.com

Nat Hill said...

Thanks for the update. I really appreciate the efforts you have made for this blog.
All the best !!!
cheap party dresses uk
party dresses under 100
cheap party dresses under 100

rahul said...

Thanks For Sharing This Nice Post.

Hemp Oil for Anxiety

Anonymous said...

service
kursus
kursus
Elektronika
Bisnis
lampung
lampung
lampung
kursus

Ashish Shakya said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ashish Shakya said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
chirurgie said...

chirurgie esthetique tunisie

Joseph Dark said...

Someone essentially help to make significantly articles I would state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual publish incredible. Great job! for more information visit our website

DigiPe said...

Amazing Post! That is an amazing and so creative idea. thanks for sharing.
Prepaid Cards Provider

Adare's Boutique, LLC said...

Really impressive & helpful blog for me, I was searching this kind of information from a long time. Thanks for help me.

Sympli Fall 2019

OfficeShoppie said...

Corporate gifts supplies in Bangalore, Office gifts supplier in Bangalore, Office gifts supplies in Bangalore, gifts and awards supplier in Bangalore, Gifts and awards supplies in Bangalore, Wood trophy's supplier in Bangalore, Wooden trophy's supplies in Bangalore. Office celebrations items supplier in Bangalore, Office celebration items supplies in Bangalore. Office Crockeries supplier in Bangalore, Office Crockeries supplies in Bangalore.

Rhianne Jhane said...


Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Thank you for supplying this info.

www.caramembuatwebsiteku.com/tips-tentang-struktur-website

braincarve said...

nice post..Abacus institute Training Class in Chennai
Vedic Maths Classes in Chennai
Abacus Training Class in Chennai
Abacus institute Training Class Chennai

kristinahojholt said...

Thank you a lot for giving everyone a very remarkable possiblity to read articles and blog posts from this website. It is usually very nice and as well , packed with fun for me personally and my office mates to visit your website no less than 3 times a week to see the fresh guidance you have got. And indeed, I am also at all times pleased with your eye-popping tricks you give. Some 2 points in this post are indeed the most efficient we have ever had.
afrikanische kleidung

HarryLuper said...

Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have developed some nice methods and we are looking to swap methods with others, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested. dashiki print maxi skirt

svrtechnologies said...

Nicely Fabricated and Stitched...very Good...

aws tutorial videos

Roger said...

Save at Kohls with a Kohls 30 Percent Off coupon.

Leonardi linken said...

very nice… i really like your blog. Very useful informations. Thx, find here my blog about How To Hack Productivity - Be More Efficient By Doing Less

Ashish Shakya said...

https://www.meripharmacy.in/home/product_view/206/I-Know-Ovulation-Kit-5-test-strips-Easy-to-use-with-99-accuracy-level
https://www.meripharmacy.in/home/product_view/196/Dhootapapeshwar-Swamala-Chyawanprash-1-Kg-All-Season-Chyawanprash-Enriched-with-Gold
https://www.meripharmacy.in/home/product_view/288/Baidyanath-Kesari-Kalp-Royal-Chyawanprash-1-Kg
https://www.meripharmacy.in/home/product_view/131/Aimil-BGR-34-Tablets-100-Tablets-Useful-in-Type-2-Diabetes-mellitus
https://www.meripharmacy.in/home/product_view/256/Charak-Ostolief-Nutra-Nutrition-Supplement-30-Tablets
https://www.meripharmacy.in/home/product_view/254/Himalaya-Quista-Pro-2-Kg-Whey-Protein-With-goodness-of-Ayurveda-Herbs-Chocolate-Flavor
https://www.meripharmacy.in/home/product_view/199/Seven-Seas-Cod-Liver-Oil-Capsules-500-Capsules
https://www.meripharmacy.in/home/product_view/236/Sunova-Spirulina-Tablets-60-tablets-10-Vitamins-60-Protein-10Minerals

Lili Jonath said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
svrtechnologies said...

This post is really nice and informative. The explanation given is really comprehensive and useful.
tableau course

Sheena Ball said...

I believe this is the perfect tutorial for Bohemian Clothing for Women. Indeed Bohemian Clothing is one of the best and most stylish dresses for ladies, these days!

Website Development Company In Surat said...

Thanks for sharing a great post. designer sarees supplier. wholesale sarees in surat.

Website Development Company In Surat said...

Thanks for sharing a great post. designer sarees supplier. wholesale Salwar kameez in surat.

شركة القوة said...

شركة مكافحة حشرات بالدمام
شركة تنظيف فلل بالدمام
شركة تنظيف بيوت بالدمام
شركة تنظيف سجاد بالدمام

kristinahojholt said...

We stumbled over here different web page and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i'm following you. Look forward to going over your web page repeatedly.
ankara midi skirt

Ashish Shakya said...

kosher certification kosher certifications , kosher certification in India kosher certificate,kosher food certification,kosher certification in mumbai,kosher certification india,kosher india,kosher certified,kosher certificate india,kosher certification agencykosher certification in delhi halal certification India

Anniversary Gifts said...

lovely

for more online rakhi
https://www.indiagift.in/rakhi

Unknown said...

Thankyou so much, I'm 5'10 so this will be great!
I even bought the belt already! Anyone, use ASOS.com, leather belt 13.00! Nice!

Unknown said...

go to ASOS.com for a great leather belt!13.00$!!

webroot geeksquad,webroot.com/qeeksquaddownload said...

This may be a best place to introduce yourself and your website or include some credits. Go to webroot safe website www.webroot.com/safe or webroot.com/safe from your browser. Download, install and activate webroot at www.webroot.com/activate.
www.webroot.com/Setup

nortoncom-norton-nortoncom said...

www norton.com/setup - Sign in to manage, renew, download or setup your Norton. 1. Visit norton.com/setup. 2. Enter a new product key and 3. Install Norton.
www.norton.com/setup
norton.com/setup
norton account setup

ss said...

Great thanks for sharing this article
fournisseur de mobilier in cote d'ivoire

www.norton.com/setup said...

Visit Norton Setup website norton.com/setup or www.norton.com/setup on a browser. Enter the product key shown on the card. Click next and follow the on screen instructions. Once downloaded, you can run the set up file to install .
Norton install

wcomwebroot said...

Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus doesn't jibe when the psychotherapy methods used by many of the independent psychoanalysis labs, though

it's initiation to select taking place traction as soon as a couple of them. In my own hands-upon psychoanalysis, it earned a unconditional score for malware

guidance and a utterly pleasing antiphishing score.
www.webroot.com/safe
webroot.com/safe
webccosafe.com

Webroot.com/safe Activation Setup said...

All the Digital devices associate to the internet are a great way to connect the user to the digital world. But, its great platform for hackers as well as other spammers where internet openly invites inferior elements to download on your devices.www.Webroot.com/safe,

Webroot.com/safe Activation Setup said...

Go to the location where you saved the latest webroot file downloaded from www.webroot.com/safe page.
Double-tap on the installer file icon shown with the .EXE file.
Enter the keycode when a dialogue appears.www.Webroot.com/safe,

Unknown said...

Check out the latest Collection Maxi-dress

Tori said...

Hi! This is probably a silly question, but is this a one size fits most situation?

svrtechnologies said...


Wow. That is so elegant and logical and clearly explained. Brilliantly goes through what could be a complex process and makes it obvious.I want to refer about the best msbi online training

Sealed With a Kiss Designs said...

Hey nice blog,Thanks for this helpful information come back again for more interesting information. Keep it up! Floral Print Maxi Dress










Jack sparrow said...


I am reading your post from the beginning, it was so interesting to read & I feel thanks to you for posting such a good blog, keep updates regularly.i want to share about websphere admin online training .

Enter Amazon Code said...

The www.amazon.com/mytv login platform allows you to invest fortunes in the original TV content and also it covers the sports exclusive to the platform so that you can access the subscription to access the platform.
www.amazon.com/mytv
www.amazon.com/mytv

Peter Sanders said...

Thanks for sharing such informative article. A good number of nursing students have perfected the art of procrastinating. At our writing company, we understand the ordeal of nursing scholars. This is why we offer Nursing Coursework Writing Help.

bsnssexpert said...

Buy Blue Silk Ruffle Lehenga Online from EthnicPlus for ₹4,749.00

Buy Yellow Resham Embroidered Chennai Silk Festive Lehenga - Lehenga Choli for Women from Ethnic Plus at Rs 4749.Best Discount✓Cash On Delivery✓Free Shipping✓7Days Return✓International Shipping.

Visit here:- Ruffle Lehenga

Gadgets Gala said...

Thankyou for sharing this blog with us. This blog is very mean to me. I go throgh your blog it is awesome. I literally love to conecpt of this style blogs. After seeing this fashion blog, i remind the Mis Fits Shirts and that was also so crazy.
Your website has the most unique articles. Love to see you your article again.

Darren Demers said...

This dress is an incredibly easy make. By now you may have realized that I'm all about the simple projects. I'm far from being a master seamstress, I just work with what I know and try to learn as I go. pakistani cotton suits with price , lawn dresses 2015 with prices ,

tigerkingkhan0786 said...

Shop online for crop top lehengas, Indian wedding crop top lehenga, Designer crop top lehengas, Crop top lehenga with dupatta, Party wear blouse lehenga choli and more from ethnicplus.in. Worldwide Shipping with Best Price.

Visit here:- Crop Top Lehenga

Lucifer Smith said...

Best women tops in Pakistan

Viftio said...

You have a best collection of women's clothing. Thanks for sharing information- VIFtoi

Tilda Watson said...

Hi there! Was looking for a cotton maxi dress pattern online and yours was absolutely perfect! So simple yet so amazing, however I would like to ask whether the dress would be made in the same process with Cotton material?

Beauty Time said...

Great blog i like it very much keep up the good work. Walnut club

sseoexperts said...

Looking to buy Lehenga choli online? Shop the latest collection of Indian lehenga choli online for women. Best Website for Lehenga Choli Online Shopping.

For More Info:- indian lehenga online

Office Worker - Shakir Khan Seo Expert said...

Latest Designer Gown | Party Wear Gown | Ladies Gown | Indo Western Gown - Ethnic Plus

Explore Designer Gowns, Party Wear Gowns, ladies gown, wedding gown, Bollywood designer gown online at Ethnic Plus and shop at an unbeatable price. Gown with dupatta

Textile Megastore said...

awesome dress thanks for sharing dress-material supplier

Kelly Disouza said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelly Disouza said...


Thanks for sharing this blog. It was very nice with full of quality information. Explore our wide range of maxi skirts options available for you. We specialize in having the perfect products to cover our modest beauties with trendy clothes, made with high-end fabrics specified for comfort, durability & style.

kurts manufacturer said...

good collection thanks For Sharing Us Wholesale Salwar kameez

Barbara Nimmo said...

It's fascinating to delve into the history and evolution of fashion brands, witnessing how they can both captivate and face challenges in the ever-changing industry.
urban air coupons

Comment poster said...

Engaging and well-researched!

Comment poster said...

"Kudos to the author for such a well-written piece!"

Comment poster said...

"Insightful content, thanks for sharing!"

«Oldest ‹Older   201 – 268 of 268   Newer› Newest»
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Blogger templates by pipdig