I have a special project to share with you today. This is the Clementine Maxi, Dress & Top by Bella Sunshine Designs (aff link).
I have tried on many different maxi dresses over the years (at various stores). I have never found one that I have loved the fit, fabric or style so I have always put the dress back on the rack and left the store without one. There is lots of excitement here for me to now have a maxi dress that I enjoy and custom fit to my body.
Pattern Size Chart and Fabric Requirements:
My project info
Version: Maxi length, 3/4 length sleeves, lined bodice
Fabric: Rayon/cotton/spandex knit
Size: Bust/4, Waist/6, Hips/8
I did a full bicep adjustment at the sleeves. This was my first time doing a full bicep adjustment. The fit of this pattern is beautifully executed. I LOVE that the pattern includes a bicep measurement for reference. If you need tips for how to approach a full bicep adjustment, I referenced this tutorial.
I picked an orange and grey striped print for this dress so I enjoyed matching the stripes from top to bottom. Matching the print is a little detail but I really enjoy the finished look. If you don’t enjoy pattern matching (or aren’t ready to give it a try just yet) I’d recommend picking a solid or non-striped pattern for your version. If you love wearing stripes, then I’d recommend you give pattern matching a try!
I love the amount of ease in the skirt, some ease but not too much. There is a slight gather but not so much that it gives a “pregnant” look. The dress is quite comfortable to wear.
This was my first time sewing a knit dress with a lined bodice (I finished this test prior to the Breezy dress). I love the finished look that a lined bodice offers. I used the same fabric for the lining as the outer piece but I’m learning that you can save smaller pieces of various knit fabrics to use for linings in tops or dresses.
Future Plans:
As this is my first maxi dress I would love to make a second one. My muslin for this project was the top version and I used a blue and oatmeal striped fabric. For my second maxi dress I’m going to remove the peplum skirt from my muslin top and add a solid blue maxi length skirt to the bodice (to have a second maxi dress).
oak blue designs 