Maxi dresses are a popular item in the summer because they are comfortable but always stylish. You can dress it up or dress it down for a casual look. In this tutorial I will show you how to make your own maxi dress out of cotton jersey.
Download the free pattern here!
Materials
Step 1: Cut out the pattern
Fold the fabric over about 15". Line up the top front to the fold line, and pin around the pattern. Do the same for the top back pattern piece, and cut both pattern pieces out. Fold the remaining fabric in half, and place the bottom skirt pattern to the fold line. Pin around the pattern and cut.
Step 2: Pleat the skirt
Starting 1" in from the side, make a 1" pleat and pin. Continue this until you've reached the end, leaving 1" at the end. Space the pleats 2" apart from each other, making a total of 12 pleats. Once the pleats are pinned, base stitch across with a ½" seam allowance. A base stitch is a straight, loose stitch to help keep the fabric in place. The settings on your machine should be set at 5mm in length and 4mm in width. Backstitching is not necessary for this stitch.
Step 3: Sew the top
Before you start sewing, make sure you are using a ballpoint needle. This needle is made to work with stretch knit fabrics. Pin one side of the front to one side of the back and zig zag stitch with a ½" seam allowance. From the bottom, start ½" in and leave a 1" at the end. The zig zag stitch will help the thread stretch with the fabric. Your machine should be set at 2.5mm in width and 3mm in length. Backstitch at the beginning and the end, leaving the other side open.
Step 4: Sew the top to the skirt
Pin the bottom of the top to the skirt with the right sides facing each other. Zig zag stitch with a ½" seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and the end.
Step 5: Sew the side seam
Line up the side seam with the right sides facing each other. The dress should be inside out. Pin from top to bottom and zig zag stitch with a ½" seam allowance. Start 1" in and leave 2" at the bottom. Backstitch at the beginning and the end.
Step 6: Finish the top
Starting from the side seam, fold the fabric over ½" twice and pin. Then straight stitch along the front and back with a ½" seam allowance. For this stitch, make sure the width is 4mm and the length is 5mm. Backstitch at the beginning and the end.
Step 7: Hem the bottom
Starting at the seam, fold the fabric over 1" twice and pin. Continue this until you've reached the end. Then stitch with a ¾" seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and the end. The maxi dress is now complete!
Jen’s Opinion
Maxi dresses are one of my favorite pieces of clothing to wear with heels, flip flops, or wedges. I like to throw on a cardigan or belt to accessorize it. Jersey knit is the best for stretch, but fabrics like chiffon or cotton batiste are also good choices for a maxi dress.