Saturday, November 24, 2012

The Liberty Maxi Dress: Simplicity 2638

I love maxi dresses. So feminine, don't have to worry about how you sit, floaty, swishy... what's not to like?

I bought 3.5m of this season's Thomasine Liberty lawn from Shaukat in the UK when I bought the Fans Liberty fabric for my Gabby dress. I knew I wanted a maxi dress made from it.

I chose Simplicity 2638 - a 'sew easy' pattern (that I don't think should be rated as such):





The reason I don't think this should rated as 'sew easy' is that you need to sew two opposing curves together when sewing the bust piece and the waistband. While this is not particularly difficult when you've had a bit of practice, I'm not sure it should be classified as 'sew easy'. The Colette Patterns' Beignet skirt has two opposing curves to sew and is rated intermediate. I think that is more fair - do you?

The back has a nice slit and does up with a button and zip:


I made a size 12, taking in the waistband by 2.5cm total. Everywhere else fit like a dream. How awesome! I love not having to make millions of alterations (especially as I didn't make a test version of this - I just cut into the Liberty - don't judge!!).




I absolutely love this dress. I feel great in it. I wore it last weekend to our meet-up, and wore it yesterday to Leith's little boy's 2nd birthday party. Leith, myself and Siobhan were wearing Liberty:


I blatantly stole this image from Leith's Blog

So - what do you think? A good maxi? I'm thinking of making a knee-length version too - do you think it would work with a shorter skirt? 

16 comments:

  1. Lovely dress! Oh so tempting. A Liberty maxi dress... I think I'll go for a darker Liberty next time too.

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  2. Lovely maxi dress which should see you through the hot weather in very elegant style. I think knee length would look good but you wouldn't want it too much above the knee because, to my eye, that would spoil the line. It needs enough length to drape nicely.

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  3. Loving the dark liberty, it's works really well as a maxi. That back detail is really nice, but you sure are brave cutting straight into liberty!

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  4. Gorgeous dress and fits like a dream. I especially like the keyhole back opening.I do think this would work around the knee too.

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  5. Fabulous maxi - they are so easy to wear aren't they. I'm loving this Liberty print...and the right colour for the up and coming festive season too. Liberty is much a great weight for the Australian summer.

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  6. Love it! the back opening with the button looks great, and the style is really perfect :)

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  7. Gorgeous! That Liberty print is so pretty. I can only imagine how luxe it feels. I love the back.

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  8. Gorgeous! I love a good maxi dress. They are just so easy for summer. I love your necklace too. It looks great with the dress.

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  9. Goodness, this is stunning Rachel! The fit of your maxi is perfect and the style suits you beautiful. You just looks so tall and lean wearing it...and the fabric is gorgeous!

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  10. That maxi looks fantastic!!! I love how it does up at the back :)

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  11. This is a beautiful dress - great job and a lovely colour :) Good work!

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  12. Your dress is gorgeous! and I know it's gorgeous in real life too :) I think it would great with a shorter skirt as well!

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  13. It is such a pretty dress. I also LOVE maxi dresses for all the reasons you have stated above. I may need to invest in this pattern too! :)

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