Well, this is a prime example that first impressions can be deceiving. I remember a lot of scoffing online when the pattern first came out, fellow sewists saying how ridiculous it looked. I wasn’t so sure, I thought I could see potential, but the fabric combo of the example put me right off.
I have to confess at this point that I have zero talent when it comes to combining fabrics, especially if this involves prints. I have seen some beautiful examples, created by other people, that I would be thrilled to wear, but my own efforts in that direction have never even made it to the cutting out stage. And so the Maisie was tucked away somewhere in the back of my mind, percolating with the rest of my creative maybe-one-day ideas.
That was until I had bought some Ponte and was looking for a pattern to make this into the type of cocoon dress Rundholz does so well. And as much as I love the Tessuti Eva and Iris, I wanted something new freshen up my small, carefully curated, sure-to-work TNT dress pattern collection.
So I had another look at the Maisie, ignoring the fashion drawing and zooming in on the line drawing. Forget the two colours, I thought, and certainly forget the print and plain combo, the bones are good. Really, really good. The only doubt I had was whether the bodice would be a little long on me, but I decided to cut as per pattern. Lopping a few cm off later is relatively easy, adding on much less so. Looking at the photos, shortening the bodice by 3-4cm is probably worth a try next time.
I toyed with the idea of piping the angled horizontal seams, but simple is much more my style. Topstitching is quite enough as a decorative accent.
The round neck is just right for a blue silk scarf, or one of my blue gemstone necklaces, picking up the tiny blue slubs in the dark grey Ponte.
So here it is, the Maisie in an almost plain fabric, with and without a big infinity scarf and one of my me-made necklaces.
Jan C. said:
Well, I’ll be buying that pattern!! I never would have considered it based on the photo. Thank you so much for making and posting this – I love it and it’s very flattering on you. 👍
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Rivergum said:
Thanks Jan. That is exactly the purpose for online sharing in general and my blog in particular. Spread the word so others can benefit from your experience.
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Mem said:
I like this on you . I bet the fabric is the same as one I bought at The Fabric Store ? Might have another look at this pattern
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Rivergum said:
Yes, I did buy this at the Fabric Store, snap! It was nice to work with, so good luck for your own project.
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Patti Barnatt said:
It looks great on you! You have expressed exactly my thoughts regarding this dress. I have only made up a test garment so far and it’s definitely on my list to make in a ponte once the weather cools down here.
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Gillian said:
Thank you for this post! It has made me look at this pattern in a different way. It looks wonderful on you. Inspires me to give it a try.
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Dawn said:
You’ve made a believer out of me. You look great in this dress.
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Rivergum said:
Thanks Dawn!
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Pat said:
Lovely- I like the simplicity of topstitching. It adds the finishing touch and a certain elegance to a garment.
Thank you for your blogs- always interesting and helpful.
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Christine said:
Great dress. You have made it look much better than the pics with the pattern. I will be checking this pattern out now!
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Rivergum said:
I’m glad you like it. I always thought the pattern was great, just presented in a way that didn’t appeal to me. Looks like I am not the only one.
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Marg said:
Ahhh I’ve been thinking about that dress for a long time too. I also like the shape but not the combined fabrics. And you’ve inspired me. Looks great, especially with the blue scarf. Congratulations
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Rivergum said:
That’s why we sew, it’s not like RTW where you have to take it as it comes. Thank goodness!
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Sandra said:
Absolutely fabulous! Very Eva-ish with a slight twist. Even though I’m very new to this dressmaking lark ☺, I have become very observant on the cut of clothing, especially dresses with subtle but eye catching shapes. You really do suit that hair style ☺
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Rivergum said:
Yes, well spotted, it does look a bit like the Eva, my all time favourite. I’m always on the lookout for patterns with a similar vibe.
And good on you for developing an eye for the “bones” of a garment, it will help you a lot with your sewing adventures.
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Stephanie said:
Fabulous dress really suits you and your complimentary hairstyle. I have this pattern and always imagined it sewn with different bold colours. The great thing about sewing is that we can both achieve the look that makes us happy and look good.
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Rivergum said:
Yes, bold colour blocking would work, I think. I’m not good at getting more than two colours to work to all compliment each other, especially as it needs fabric with the same weight and drape, but it could look stunning if someone can pull it all together.
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Roxane said:
This is a very great improvement. I never looked twice at that pattern because of the fabric choices. I was considering the Sewing Workshop Cityscapes dress, which has a similar shape; but the diagonal line in this in a solid color makes this more flattering.
Are you going to do Sydney for summer? I thought of you when I saw it. I intend to, but I didn’t get to it, and now I am moving on to fall and transitional pieces.
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Rivergum said:
You must be psychic, how did you guess that! I bought the Sydney at the same time as the Maisie, so yes, I will be doing it for summer. I am thinking silk, but that is because I have some plum coulored silk in my stash that would work. It will be awhile though, maybe October, because my annual trip to see DM is just around the corner now.
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Pamela James said:
Looks great! I will now dig out my Maisie and have a go! Thank you P
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Rivergum said:
Oh good! Always nice to see that it has worked for someone else and what their experience with the pattern was. Good luck with it!
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smartapostrophe said:
This is great one you! This is another pattern in my stash, bought because a friend had a very similar (rather expensive Italian) dress that suited me to a T. It has a jersey bodice and dogtooth woven skirt, and as it is now in my wardrobe I am unlikely to sew the Maisie.
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smartapostrophe said:
Oops, I meant ‘a great one on you’. And I meant to say that the knit bodice and woven skirt do work well together.
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