Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Mission Maxi help! Having a rough time choosing fabric...
SecondHandRogue   Advanced Beginner RI USA Member since 12/28/05 Posts: 515	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/12 6:52 AM My cousin and I have a date to make the mission maxi dress in two weeks. (Mission Maxi) She is 12 years my junior and a better garment sewer than I, so the construction should go easily, but we're having a hard time deciding what weight and degree of stretch to look for in choosing knits. I have read the reviews here on PR, but am still wondering about a few things: Does this pattern require four way stretch or is two way interlock a possibility? There is a Michael miller knit that I'm considering. I'm 38 soon, 5'4.5", and a little thicker in the high hip post two babies...34DD-29-37...I don't want a fabric that will cling to every imperfection, but I don't want it to look like a trash bag either. Any great suggestions? I prefer cotton but am open... My cousin is 26 and built like she's 16, so she has no lump and bump issues. She is looking at an aqua and white stripe rayon knit from mood that is described as "lightweight". Is there any way to discern from an online source whether it might be too flimsy or transparent for such an already slinky dress? are there types of knits that are universally more suitable for (long) dresses, or even universally more flattering? -- Edited on 5/16/12 6:53 AM -- ------ Yards sewn 2012: 34 Yards sewn 2013: 13.5 (goal 70!)
ConnieBJ   Advanced ON CANADA Member since 12/31/03 Posts: 1852 Contest Committee	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/16/12 8:24 AM To answer the lightweight question- The fabric I used for mine (made this week) was pretty lightweight so I underlined it to the hip with black knit. Worked like a dream. (to underline, cut the pattern in the main fabric and in the fabric you are using on the inside. Place them wrong sides together and pretend they are one fabric.) For the first question- I think you will be happier with a 4 way stretch (meaning the fabric will stretch no matter how you pull it- some companies will call it a 2way stretch when really it is a 4 way) Have fun sewing- you will love the dress! I am post baby too (22 to 30 years post baby!) and I love the dress. Watch the sizing as it does run a bit small. It is easier to take the dress in than out! ------ Connie Bontje http://www.couturesmith.com Twitter: Couturesmith Facebook: Connie Bontje Desperately trying to keep ahead of my pattern, fabric and dressform collection!
SecondHandRogue   Advanced Beginner RI USA Member since 12/28/05 Posts: 515	Login to reply to this post In reply to ConnieBJ << Like this post Date: 5/17/12 7:31 AM Thanks so much for the response, I think my question was a little too convoluted! So do you think that interlock is an automatic no? It doesn't say two way stretch, but I assumed that interlock is all two way stretch. Am I wrong? Maybe It's just part of the online shopping game, but how do I know if a fabric will be heavy enough to sew a long dress unlined? ------ Yards sewn 2012: 34 Yards sewn 2013: 13.5 (goal 70!)
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 491	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/17/12 12:40 PM What a great pattern! So very Anthro. I don't sew with knits, but I do wear them a lot and I would think that the lighterweight the knit, the more revealing and clingy it will be. Something with a little more substance might be more flattering. I'm closer to your details than your cousin's and I'm not sure I do not love a clingy knit around my post 3 baby belly!Maybe even wrap the fabric around you to get an idea. Have fun sewing with your cousin! ------ Melanie
Symon   Advanced Beginner CANADA Member since 9/17/11 Posts: 14	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/17/12 3:41 PM I'm going to be making this dress soon, too, and I already have my fabric purchased; a dreamy lightweight cream coloured rayon jersey... but I had the same concerns as you in regards to clinginess. The fabric is lovely, soft, and drapey, but I think what I might do is make the dress first and then if necessary, wear it with a half slip or break down and get on that Spanx wagon LOL. The pattern does call for jersey, and most jersey I've seen, regardless of fiber, is pretty similar in terms of weight and drape. I think as long as you stick to that, you should be fine :)
SecondHandRogue   Advanced Beginner RI USA Member since 12/28/05 Posts: 515	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/17/12 3:47 PM Thanks guys! I suppose if the first try is too thin it will make a lovely nightgown:) or else, we can all just suck it up and go get that magic underwear! Do spanx really work? ------ Yards sewn 2012: 34 Yards sewn 2013: 13.5 (goal 70!)
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2471	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/17/12 3:52 PM What about a matte jersey/slinky knit? It should have the right drape for a maxi dress, but won't be clingy like a rayon jersey (which is NOT a friend to lumps. Even if you don't have any to start, it will make them on you. Seriously. Sigh.). ------ ~Gem in the prairie
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 491	Login to reply to this post In reply to SecondHandRogue << 1 member likes this. Date: 5/18/12 10:46 AM Oh yes! Absolutely! Not the cheap ones from target, the real thing. They take off 5lbs and smooth everything out. I like the high waisted kind that start at the bra band and come down to mid thigh. That covers anywhere that might be wobbly. And if you wear 2 pairs, you really do look like you've lost 10lbs. however, I don't enjoy wearing them in the summer and they work better under slippery things, which is why I line all my non-summer skirts and dresses. The right kind of jersey will skim over them. ------ Melanie
SecondHandRogue   Advanced Beginner RI USA Member since 12/28/05 Posts: 515	Login to reply to this post In reply to meleliza << Like this post Date: 5/18/12 1:16 PM I never imagined myself in a girdle in my 30s!! I could certainly be lumpier by now, but I'm a little concerned about the little bulge above my csection scar...a well made bathing suit hides it but the rayon knit may not I will post a review in a few weeks for all other potential maxi mamas -- Edited on 5/18/12 1:16 PM -- ------ Yards sewn 2012: 34 Yards sewn 2013: 13.5 (goal 70!)
Speech girl Intermediate GA USA Member since 5/11/03 Posts: 1658	Login to reply to this post In reply to SecondHandRogue << 1 member likes this. Date: 5/18/12 11:25 PM I have a csection scar and find that a regular slip or half slip (old fashioned kind, not the lycra body shaper kind) under a clingy knit dress makes the dress skim over without lumps and bumps--cooler than spanx in warm weather. ------ Kim formerly mikkim http://girlwithatimemachine.wordpress.com/

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.