Pattern : Mission Maxi by Jamie Christina
Materials Used : White knit fabric from JoAnns (sorry I am not sure what it is made of but probably some cotton/rayon/spandex blend), some Navy Blue fabric Dye, and a lot of rubber bands.
Changes : After making another version of this pattern in past, I decided that I wanted a bit more room around the bottom of the maxi. Starting at the hips I graded out to about 2 inches on the bottom on either side of the dress (both front and back). I really like the extra amount of fabric. It just flows a little more and allows for easier walking.
What I would change next time : I really don't know if I need more than 2 maxi dresses, but if I do I think I will draft some sleeves and maybe a v neckline for one.
Conclusion : Love how this turned out. Not only is this a great fashion forward pattern, but the tie dye was much easier and more fun that I anticipated.
Now for some pics/steps for making the tie dye.
1-I began by making the dress most of the way. I sewed the side seams, shoulder seam, and attached all of the bindings, but did not do any topstitching or hemming. I wanted to wait on those so that I could match the color of thread to the dyed fabric.
2-Then I took rubber bands and twisted them around the entire width of the dress every 4 or 5 inches. I just eyeballed it. I used about 4-6 rubberbands for each section to make sure that they were bold stripes. (hint - my rubberbands kept breaking and so I found if I twisted them three at a time they were stronger and wouldn't break, plus it went faster.)
3-Next I mixed my Navy Dylon Dye according to the directions and and let it soak in the dye for an hour stirring occasionally.
4-Then I rinsed it in cold water for about ten minutes and then carefully clipped all of the rubberbands off. (the most exciting point).
5-Now time for the finishing touches. I washed and dried my dress on warm and then finished stitching the bindings and hem with the matching thread.
that is really cute. a great way to get stripes! i'll have to try it.
ReplyDeleteOMG. I love this so much. Thanks for the tutorial. I've only over-dyed clothing and fabric. I haven't tried any techniques - this project seems like a good place to start.
ReplyDeleteLove the maxi and I love the way it flows, kind of ethereal.
ReplyDeleteHow funny, I have a tank top waiting to be dyed this exact same way (rubber band stripes and everything)! I'm just waiting for the dye to arrive-- I'm going to try out using indigo.
ReplyDeleteLove this maxi! It's really cool!
So fun! I really want to finish my maxi dress now!
ReplyDeleteI have always hated tie dye...it looks so 'hippie'. BUT you made it SUPER CHIC!!! I love this! How do you do that magic?
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I love it! I've never tie dye before and now I must give it a try. You did such a great job with everything =)
ReplyDeleteJamie
www.jamiechristina.com
Eeeek! This is awesome sauce!
ReplyDeleteThis is super! Everything is spot on. I like the rusty colour of your cardigan as a foil to the blue dress.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely gorgeous - thank you for the tutorial, too!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so quick, easy, and comfortably stylish! You did an amazing job, it really came out nice.
ReplyDeleteSo great!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it!! The maxi is fab and the dye job is perfect.
ReplyDeleteOnly the best diy ever! Thanks so much for sharing, your dress looks like something from anthro and especially love the styling with that rust cardi. Wow.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I might make a shorter version.
ReplyDeleteI always worry with dye that no matter how many times I wash it on it's own when I finally trust it to be washed with other clothes, it'll bleed out. Maybe that's the secret. Never wash it with other clothes!
Fantastic dress and a good tute on the technique. I agree with Amy that dyed clothing can be tricky in the wash.
ReplyDeleteReally feeling a) maxis in general, b) tie dye all the time and c) your curls. Super awesome fun job.
ReplyDeleteReally really beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing us how to do the dying! I´m going to try that soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat hair!
ReplyDeleteOh it turned out just lovely!! I'm loving all your dying experiments you've been working on. And your maxi dresses! Holy moly - I've gotta get on that!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. If you draft a version with sleeves, any chance you can post a template or instructions? if that doesn't infringe on anything of course. I would love to find a maxi pattern with sleeves. All I find are tanks and I don't know how to add sleeves.
ReplyDeleteKathy, sure thing. I think I am going to try it with some friends soon. Maybe use a tshirt as a template. I will post pics/steps for sure.
DeleteOh this is fantastic! I love that color, and the tie dye on that dress is so fun! Nice color combo with the blue dress and your sweater. (And I love your curly hair.)
ReplyDeleteIn case you tie dye again, my grandmother, who is a crazy lady/fiber artist, always uses cotton twine and wraps it VERY VERY tightly around the tied spots. It always works really well.
thanks for the tip. i might try that. it sounds a lot easier than the rubber bands.
DeleteWow, this is fantastic. I must try this.
ReplyDeleteThe dress turned out so great! I love dyeing. It feels kind of addictive - in a fun, exciting way.
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZING! I love it.
ReplyDeletelooks great! makes me want to start dyeing again - I did that so much when I was younger! loving it!
ReplyDelete