OUTFIT DETAILS: dress made by me (similar style here (only $10!), here and here) | fringe bag | karen walker sunglasses | jenny bird necklace via rocksbox (similar) | similar sandals
During the spring, maxi dresses are the perfect transitional kind of outfit. They give great coverage when you’re not quite ready to show off your pasty white legs, and provide a little extra warmth during those days when the weather fluctuates back and forth from cold to warm.
I picked up this fabric at Jo-Ann’s a few weeks go, and a flowy maxi dress instantly came to mind. It has an amazing drape, and it’s lightweight, but not see-through, so it’s the perfect material for this kind of project.
Today for DIY Friday I’ll show you how to make one — it’s really simple, so it’s time to get your weekend projecting on!
(and, of course, if you’re not into maxi dresses, you can always make it shorter!)
Click through to find the step by step tutorial!
Materials:
3 yards lightweight jersey knit (make sure it’s not see-through!)
matching thread
double needle for your sewing machine
Step 1. Cut your material. I used a swing dress I already owned and used that as a pattern so I got a nice full dress, and then added a bit of width under the arms to make it slightly boxy. You’ll need a FRONT DRESS and BACK DRESS piece (make sure you cut them on the folded edge as shown), two SLEEVES (also cut on the fold), 2 NECKLINE LINING pieces (front and back), and 2 POCKETS (mine were 6”x8”).
Step 2. With right sides together, pin the dress at the shoulder seams and sew together with a straight stitch.
Step 3. Open your dress and lay it on a flat surface. Find the top point on your SLEEVE piece and line it up with the shoulder seam with right sides together. Pin along each side of the sleeve to attach it to the arm hole, then sew together with a straight stitch. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Step 4. Hem the ends of your sleeves to your desired length using a double needle (Which allows for some stretch). Alternatively you can use a stretch stitch.
Step 5. With right sides together, pin the sides of your dress from the hem of the sleeve to the bottom of the dress. Make sure you line it up at the underarm seams. Sew together with a straight stitch.
Step 6. Sew your two NECKLINE LINING pieces together to form a loop, then pin to the dress neckline with right sides together. Sew around the entire neckline with a straight stitch, attaching the lining to the neckline. Trim the seam allowance and then tuck the lining inside and press flat.
Step 7. Fold all the sides of your pockets in half an inch and sew around the pocket. Pin the pocket to the dress in your desired placement and sew around the sides and bottom to attach it to the dress.
Step 8. Sew around the neckline to secure the lining underneath, and hem the dress to your desired length, and you’re done!
Now go make a ton of them for Spring! Happy weekend projecting!
Such a great dress!! Love it! ! I am jealous of your sewing skills. I have sewing envy. Haha
This dress is absolutely perfect, wonderful boho piece! I wish that I would be this good in making my own clothes. You’re so talented!
http://lartoffashion.com
You are so creative! The dress looks great. Love the print you chose; it’s so colorful and bright.
Shae @ Current Habits
This is SO CUTE!! I’ve shared your website with a few girls and now they’re hooked!
I love this dress; perfect! You are amazing!
http://www.awhitewalllife.com
Oh, gosh! I love this so much! I definitely want to try this out. I adore comfy maxi dresses.
Unique Geek
Very nasty!!
i love maxi dresses and pockets. your fabric is nice, but it’s so boxy on you that you look like you’re in a maternity dress or gained a significant amount of weight.
Wow….not nice! Not everything has to fit like a sausage casing to look nice, dear.
Oh dear Mary, there is such a thing as tact, and you seem to have not a jot of it.
Maybe “disgus_d7yAEDwLTo” means they like it,LIkE “”not nice””means “ok,and she means,other clothes,not this one, fit like sausage–so this ;fit look she lkes–This dress is loose,NOT a sausage casing.I guess the message looks “mixed”but its a negative res[onse that just may be “hip” not straight forward.–other wise it does not make sense.–cause this dress does NOT FIT TIGHT.–INCIDENTLY,I hate bloody cell phones.hah!
I love it! super easy and confortable!!
xx carli
http://lavidaseguncarli.blogspot.com.ar
So Cute!
Xo
Peyton
perfectlytayloredblog.com
Love this tutorial! I love the way yours is oversized. Makes you look so petite! Thanks for sharing the how to!
xo Rachel
Love this! Thanks so much for sharing. And you look beautiful and completely on point. Not at all close to looking like you’ve gained a significant amount of weight…
Some people are so… lovely.
Keep up the amazing work!
Lovely and perfect for Spring (if it ever gets here). Have a grand weekend!
This is literally the dress of my dreams for summer. A maxi with half sleeves with a gorgeous print. Perfect easy fit too! Ah I wish I had any sewing skills at all! Gorgeousssss. Ah do you take orders? I want one! 🙂
http://asequinloveaffair.com
The last picture looks like a pants jumpsuit. That would be super cute too!
Love love love the dress – but I was thinking the same thing jumpsuit with a drop waist would be cute too! Gonna play around with that thanks for such a great tutorial!
Could you tell me where you found that material?? Love it!
From Jo-Ann’s 🙂
Merrick, This is gorg! I saw it first on JoAnn’s blog. I was so excited and am so proud of you and your accomplishments. Keep it up girlfriend!
I like all your post and projects, I have tried a couple of them and said to myself, “yeah, they are easy why havent I thought about that before?”! Your creativity, clean and fresh look rocks! You make it look easy and simple.
Wonderful dress!
But how do I measure the material????
Thank You
Dana
I love the dress you made but when I went to Jo-Ann’s today I couldn’t find anything similar. Is there any way to get a similar fabric?
Cute idea. Does it work for plus size as well?
Lovely dress BTW why is it that every time I see a lovely PATTERN/design that I would wear the requirement is for knit fabric. I prefer to use cotton poplin but patterns for fabrics like this are so hard to find. Still, I am getting lots of practice in pattern making and dress design.
nice and perfect looking outfit..
[…] DIY BOXY MAXI DRESS WITH POCKETS […]
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https://www.gostopsite.com