Palm Print Jersey Dress

This is a dress made from two different knit patterns, I've shown exactly which ones below, but really you can consider mixing up any of your favourite patterns.  Since this one has an elasticated waist casing and it's in a knit fabric there isn't any special drafting to do as the bodice and skirt can easily be made to fit together.

I used two patterns I have made before, the top is from BurdaStyle 08/2011 - 126 which I've made several times as a top with a peplum band and a raised neckline.  I also eliminate that centre back seam.  You can see a couple of versions here.

08/2011 - 126 Link to pdf dress pattern

The skirt is from McCall's 6744 although I changed the length to midi.  I'm finally coming around to appreciate this length now, maybe in a few more years I'll be wearing flounce sleeves and jumpsuits!

McCall's 6744 (out of print)


I used a green and black palm print ITY jersey - this didn't even get to live in my stash, I just knew what I wanted to do with it and bought and sewed it within a week.  Often I can get a bit paralysed by procrastination so this felt good!

The elastic casing at the waist is around 1 inch wide as I had that sized elastic to hand.  I also had enough fabric left over to make a self fabric belt so I have an option of wearing it both ways.

Part of the reason I made this up so fast was so that I would have it to wear on a short trip to Singapore which is where the photo below is from.  I always seem to decide at the last minute that I need something new for any trip, but at least I've learned to make something quick and easy!

Self Drafted Jersey Maxi Skirt

Now that Easter and my visitors are out of the way let's get back to sewing & blogging.

First up I am jumping on the maxi skirt bandwagon with a jersey self drafted version.  Self drafted actually sounds a little grand - I started with 2 rectangles and shaped the waist and hips until the skirt fit and stayed up and then pondered what to do with the waistband.

Then by some magical coincidence Melissa over at Fehr Trade posted her elastic waistband method which was perfect for my skirt.  The only change I made because I wanted to have a clean finish on the outside is that I omitted step 4 in her excellent tutorial and just stitched the facing down by stitching in the ditch at the side seams.  I expect this could be very annoying in a pair of running leggings but for a casual skirt it should be fine and if it isn't I can always go back and stitch it down later.

The fabric is a really nice quality jersey I picked up in the local fabric market that was originally made for White House/Black Market, at least according to the printing on the selvedge.

Seemingly anytime I make something very summery the sun disappears so once again we have to use our imagination (and the lightening button on iphoto) a little here!