I'm sure you've heard of #sewingdares. All the cool kids are doing it. I hesitated joining in on the fun, afraid of being pushed out of my comfort zone. Then I thought, eh, why not? I sent my request tweet and within an hour, I had my very own dare.
When Gillian dared me to make a knit top, I accepted having no idea how I was going to accomplish such a task. With no serger, and never having worked with knits, I was definitely being pushed out of my comfort zone. I hopped on the internet, did a bunch of research and purchased a bundle of goodies.
I did start by making a knit top. A very boring black knit top that I struggled to put together with my sewing machine. I did it but I was so underwhelmed with the outcome, I couldn't bring myself to blog about it. I'm weird like that. When I taught myself how to knit, I refused to make a washcloth...or a scarf. I jumped on in and made a rib knit baby hat. I like to jump right into it, I get bored too easily. I'm all like, this is an okay top...hey look a squirrel!!
Still, I had sewn with knits! New possibilities were opening up in front of me!
Now, this is where it gets good. The sewing community is a great one with many wondeful ladies...and every now and then someone brings up how wonderful the men behind these ladies are. Well, folks, my hubby can officially join the ranks of all the other awesome, supportive significant others. Seeing my enthusiasm for my dare, my husband came home one day with a big giant box that had in it my heart's desire....a serger! Ahhhhhh!! After properly thanking him I got to work on something that was a little more interesting than a plain 'ol shirt.
That something was the Mission Maxi by Jamie Christina. I wouldn't say that the fact that the designer and I share the same name, spelled the same way, persuaded me to buy this pattern...but ya know, us Jamies (spelled with an IE) have to stick together!
The pattern was a cinch to put together and the instructions were thorough. I did have a little trouble with the neckline binding...I got confused with the directions. Once I figured it all out, though, it made so much sense and the armholes were easy to do. Thankfully the binding around the neck doesn't look bad. I chose not the hem the bottom, it just seemed pointless since this fabric doesn't even curl.
The fit overall is pretty good. It is becoming very clear to me that I can not keep neglecting to perform a swayback adjustment. The fabric pooling above my rear is very apparent in this dress. Also, pattern matching was an overall success! I'm always so proud of myself when I can pull it off.
I styled this dress as I've seen other people doing it, with some sort of jacket and a pair of boots with tights. Why had I not thougth of this before? Duh. I love when I can make a dress work for all seasons.
The Details:
Pattern: Mission Maxi by Jamie Christina
Fabric: Chevron knit from Hancock Fabrics
Size Cut: 12
Alterations to Pattern: None!
It was midely warm and sunny today. Not warm enough to be wearing this dress without the jacket but warm enough so I wasn't terribly uncomfortable. My kids came out to play while I was snapping pictures and my youngest, Romy, was a bit fussy and clingy so she joined in on the fun a couple of times. She's two and more stubborn than any of her sibling were before her. I choose my battles and in this case, I let her dress herself. Also, I did not cut her hair into a mullet.....she did. Never leave scissors where your 2 year old can reach them.
Verdict: Super comfy, kid friendly dress, that I will be making again. And hey, I conquered my #sewingdare!!
14 comments:
Omg his looks so good! I love knit maxis. I've only ever sewn a knit once before and it didn't go we'll. I need a server too. Is on my wish list for my birthday this year.
It looks like the perfect dress to transition into summer. Yeah for sergers!
Awesome work, lovely lady! That pattern is wonderful and yay for your new serger!
Awwww, what a great hubby!
Love your dress! I made about 5 of these last summer, can't wait to wear them again :-) I really like the fabric you chose!
First of all, WHAT! Your husband just walks in with a surprise Serger!? Lucky, lucky!
I love your Mission Maxi! I considered buying this pattern but I decided I could make the less-elegant McCalls one (6558 or 6559 I think? too lazy to look it up) work for me with some changes. I already have the McCalls one in my stash.
Congrats on gorgeously completing your sewing dare, and for having an awesome hubby. You look happy and beautiful in your new creation. Perfect dress. And I love Romy and her mullet. Cutie!
That's so cool!! My hubby's granny is giving me her serger and I'm rather scared of it. Please tell me it's not as complicated as it looks with all those spools of thread!?
Thanks! Yeah, I was shocked at how much easier it was with a serger. Def worth the investment!
Thanks you!!
Thank you very much! I am smitten with the pattern....and my serger ;)
Thanks, Gail! I am def making more, it's so crazy comfortable. I can't believe it took me so long to jump on this bandwagon. Ha!
Right?! I was seriously surprised. He even went and talked to the lady at the store to make sure he got me the best one. Whatta guy, haha.
I'm all for using what you have. Truth be told, this pattern is probably overpriced. It seems very basic, as much as I love it.
Lol, thanks Shelley! I have to admit I cried when she gave herself that mullet but she's as cute as can be anyway ;)
Ok, threading it is complicated but not impossible. And it's easy to use as is but I haven't messed around with tensions and settings. I have a LOT to learn, I must admit.
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