maxi evening dress! (pic hefty!) also my 1st post!!!

[mixedchick]

i've been obsessed with maxi dresses all summer but the ones i have are all very casual (stretch jersey and such) so i decided to make one that could be worn out at night. it was love at first sight when i saw this fabric and i knew it would be perfect for a maxi! i wasn't sure how i was going to do the top part of it but i constructed from the bottom up and worried about that last. the waist band is just super wide elastic. i love that it's striped and decorative so i didn't have to encase it. and i really love the way the stripes and the material contrast yet compliment each other. after i had the waist band on i played around with different styled bust (is that called a bodice?) but decided to leave it backless since that's my preferred body part to "play up". also since the intended use is for evening wear, i just went with it and made the dress cleavage-y, haha. i almost got super lazy and left it a tie halter but i talked myself into making it look more finished and instead added elastic behind the neck and connected both straps. (picture a hair scrunchie laid flat instead of round...that's what i did behind the neck.)

hanging: doesn't do it much justice.
on: it's a little revealing...hopeful ly not too much.

back view:

another front view:


NOTE: please disregard the blue hair scarf!!! also disregard my unmade-up face. this dress is much better with hair and makeup done, i promise. also the colors are slightly off in the pics. it's gray and black with white splatter and purple and green brush strokes. it looks like a painting:)

all in all, it was super easy and only took 2 evenings, only about an hour or so each. i didn't use a pattern, just eyeballed it, pinned, tried on, adjusted, re-pinned and sewed. the fabric is pretty thick and opaque for a stretch so i didn't have to line or hem it. although, an unfinished hem in stretch material doesn't bother me. plus the design is so busy you can't even tell it's not hemmed.
any feedback is appreciated! thanks for looking!

EDIT: i made two more!



this one has a different bodice. the neckline is asymmetrical and wraps around the neck (name that PR inspiration!) and has an extra strap across the back. I attached all the studs by hand -indivually- a total pain, but so worth it in the end. 

and a close up of the back.

comment and critique away--as always!!!

i know it's been for-eva, but i took pics along the way if anyone is still interested in a tute.

[zuliblu]

I love it, I have been all about the maxi dress lately.  They are so comfy and you can dress em up or down.  great job, I love the colors. 

[cardiganweather!]

this dress is G O R G E O U S. I've never thought much about them but i think you just made me want to go out and by a maxi dress 

[country stud]

that dress is FIERCE!!!!!and you look great in it

[funkybunnies]

That is drop-dead stunning! GREAT job!

[mixedchick]

thanks so much guys!!!! i really think these pics are crap so it makes me so happy you guys can still see it as a nice dress

[mixedchick]

this dress is G O R G E O U S. I've never thought much about them but i think you just made me want to go out and by a maxi dress 

don't do that!!! make one or swap with another crafter! they are soooo easy, i promise. the hardest part is just the bust area. the skirt is literally 2 rectangles worn lengthwise, sewn up the sides and gathered or pleated at the waist.

NOTE: i would gladly make you one

[HeIsMyEvenstar]

I love the fabric! The dress is awesome as well!

[Alli_Lucy]

Gorgeous!  I wish I were tall enough to wear a maxi dress - you look amazing in yours.

[mixedchick]

Gorgeous!  I wish I were tall enough to wear a maxi dress - you look amazing in yours.

thanks so much! and fyi--i'm only 5'3''! that's the beauty of a maxi dress! VERY lengthening. this fabric pattern is also visually elongating because all the paint streaks are going up and down. it gives the same effect as vertical stripes