On a maxi mission

This one's quick and dirty. The dress, that is. This post, not so much.

The dress is the Jamie Christina Mission Maxi, inspired by tons of other versions, but particularly A Good Wardrobe's gorgeous self drafted maxi dress and the hand-dyed loveliness of True Bias. It was also inspired by the fact that I was being driven crazy by my ongoing, perhaps-bitten-off-more-than-I-can-chew project, which is currently is a state of being set (read: flung) aside to await fairly major unpicking and reworking, and so wanted to just finish something already to make me feel better. Sometimes you just need that instant gratification hit, you know? Two long side seams later, I had mine. It sure does feel a lot more worthy when you've handmade said insta-fix rather than pulled it off a shelf at Zara. Funny how the brain does that. Curious things, minds.

This extremely cozy, viscose jersey maxi definitely did the trick. Wearing this dress is like being wrapped in a gentle cuddle all day long. Comfort clothing for the everlasting win, y'all.

To add interest, and to de-Primarkify the print a little bit, I added a contrast panel and binding (who knew a supply of tan, tie-dye, polyester, stretch, faux-suede would come in so handy!) using the pattern's markings for the halter neck version as aid lines. So I didn't even have to think too hard about matching up that bit, which was the whole point of this wonderfully mindless make.

In a significant break from my usual anal tendencies, the finish on this is far from perfect, which has nothing at all to do with the rather excellent pattern instructions. The faux-suede that I used for binding the armholes and neckline wasn't quite as stretchy as the jersey of the dress, so I ought to have cut the binding pieces on the bias instead of on grain as the pattern recommends. As a result, the armholes are a bit tight, and the faux-overlocked edge flips out from underneath rather messily. Neither of which stopped me from wearing this dress twice over the Easter bank holiday weekend. The pattern fit is pretty spot on, and the only adjustment I made was to taper out to the largest size at the hem in order to make the skirt a bit more flowy. I like this enough that I think I'll make it again, though perhaps going with the halterneck version, which will be a tad more flattering to my broad shoulders. More "great posture square" and less "discus thrower burly", no disrespect to the discus throwers of the world, for whom I have nothing but the greatest admiration.

I also have a ton of admiration for all those who wore their clothes inside out for Fashion Revolution Day today. My work dress code doesn't really allow for that as a head to toe look, but I did wear my Grainline Tiny (Useless) Pocket Tank inside out under my blazer. Heck, with those pretty French seamed insides I was glad to. I didn't intend to stop buying clothing when I started sewing, but it seems to have been an unintended side effect - I haven't bought a single item of clothing all year. And actually, I feel pretty glad to be able to increasingly answer the question "Who made these clothes?" with a resounding I DID.

Now, before I start feeling too smug, if only someone will tell me... Who made my fabric?!