A Bright Orange Maxi Dress for the #sewmaxiformothersday Challenge

Hello Sewing Friends:

Today, I wanted let you know all the details about my first dress for the 2021 #sewmaxiformothersday sewing challenge. This is an exciting Instagram sewing challenge that I’m hosting with the lovely Tea of CrumpetsTeaandSewing wherein you sew up a maxi dress, skirt, pants or jumpsuit to celebrate Mother’s Day.

This is our third year hosting the challenge and you can find out about all the rules and guidelines in my previous post here: 2021 Sewmaxiformothersday Instagram Sewing Challenge

This year we have a fun theme: Sew Bold, Sew Bright. We’d love for everyone to sew up their maxi garment in a bright color or a bold print this year so that we can all step out in style and turn everyone’s heads in our fabulous makes.

McCall’s 7775

I picked up McCall’s 7775 last year when someone left it on the counter at JoAnn Fabrics. (I love it when someone leaves a gem of a pattern for me). I fell in love with the super cute criss-cross neckline the minute I saw the cover. This pattern has such a unique take on a halter-style dress and I immediately added it to my shopping cart. I ran out of time to sew it for last year’s challenge, so it had to be the first thing I made for 2021.

This was a fairly simple sew with only one big hangup. I used an orange polyester crepe that I picked up from the Baltimore Destash sale a few years ago. There are only four pattern pieces, the front, the back and the front and back facings. It has side slits that give it a little extra flair as well. I shortened the pattern at the waist by about one inch and took about three inches off the hem. I didn’t make any other pattern adjustments. The only thing that slowed me down was the construction of the the neckline. I was so confused with the pattern instructions! The accompanying pattern diagrams missed a lot of steps, so I had to work out the constuction on my own. I ended up attaching the facing as normal, then I understitched the neckline as far as I could. I then turned the dress rightside-out, criss-crossed the halter and attached the shoulders by machine. I then slip stitched the shoulder piece facings on to cover the seam. I had to do a ton of unpicking to figure this pattern out, but I am so glad I stuck it out to complete this pretty dress.

Check out my YouTube video where I share some of these details along with a few twirls of me wearing this dress in front of some gorgeous blooming trees.

All in all, I love this bright and cheerful dress and I look forward to wearing it to many fun spring events. I hope you all have a chance to sew something bright, bold and beautiful for this year’s #Sewmaxiformothersday challenge.

Until next time,

Happy Sewing,

Crystal