Creating a Dress Look with Separates Using The True Bias Ogden Cami and Mave Skirt Patterns

Hello Sewing Friends!

I hope you all had an amazing Mother’s Day and had some time to relax with your friends and family to celebrate. Today, I wanted to share one of the outfits that I made for the #sewmaxiformothersday Instagram Sewing Challenge that I’m hosting with the lovely Tea of Crumpets,Tea and Sewing. I decided to go for separates for this look, so I chose the new True Bias Mave Skirt and paired it with the ever-famous True Bias Ogden Cami Pattern.

The Mave Skirt

The Mave Skirt is a cute pattern designed for lightweight woven fabrics with some drape to it that are at least 54 inches wide. The fabric suggestions for it are: rayon challis, crepe, linen, cotton lawn, voile, chiffon, and georgette. In addition, there are several length and tier options as well as pockets. You can sew it at mini, midi or maxi length, and add one or two tiers to the bottom of the main piece to create a myriad of styling options. 

Sizing for the Mave Skirt

This pattern is available in two size ranges. The first range is for sizes 0-18, fitting waists of 26 to 38.5 and hips of 34 to 46.5. The second size range is for sizes 14-30, fitting waists of 34.5 to 50.5 and hips of 43.5 – 59.5. As a result, there is some overlap between the size ranges. There is also quite a bit of ease in the pattern as well. For my size, there are about 8 inches of ease in the hips.

Sewing the Mave

I sewed a straight size 12 for this skirt and only made two minor alterations for length. I shortened the midi skirt piece by 2.5 inches (I initially shortened it by two inches and then added an extra half inch) and I also shortened the first tier by two inches for my 5’1″ height.

Pattern pieces for the Mave include the front, back, pockets (cut four times with very detailed pocket instructions) waistband and ties (one tie folded, which I prefer over the traditional turn-out loop method). The waistband requires you to add button holes at designated markings at the center front of the skirt. You then insert 2 inch elastic and sew down four lines of stitching on top of the elastic using your preferred stretch stitch. I used a triple-straight stitch and fortunately most modern sewing machines come with that stitch included on y the machine. There is a step by step blog sew-a-long for this pattern as well.

Sewing the Ogden Cami

I decided to make an Ogden Cami go with this amazing skirt. The Ogden is a quick and easy sew. I believe I made a size 10. (I’ve had this pattern for a few year and made it a few times and I just keep reusing the same pattern pieces). When I purchased this patter, it was only available up to a size 18. True Bias has since expanded their size range and now it’s also available in sizes 14-30 which also has added darts and wider straps for this larger range. There is also a mini version of the Ogden which extends to a size 10 for girls.

There are only a few pattern pieces for the Ogden. Front, back, front and back facings and shoulder strap. (5 pieces), so it’s a quick and easy sew. Both of these patterns are available in print or pdf, as well as in copy shop A0 format.

Fabric

The fabric that I used is called Mimi G Rayon Zebra in Teal from Melanated Fabrics. This fabric was created in collaboration with Riley Blake Fabric Designs and I received it in January of this year. This particular teal shade is no longer available, but it they still had some in Black, Blush and Brown color-ways.  I love the drape of it and after a good press it doesn’t wrinkle much at all.

Final Thoughts

I love how these pieces work together to give me a dress look, yet I’ll get more versatility from them as separates. I know I can style the cami with a blazer and a pair of jeans for a dressy-casual look or I can pair the skirt with black or teal top or bodysuit for a different vibe. Do you like wearing one pieces like dresses or jumpsuits or do you enjoy wearing more separates? Leave a comment and let me know.

You can check out a fun Instagram Reel that I created for Mother’s Day wear I dance around on my deck celebrating the day.

Mother’s Day Instagram Reel

I also created a YouTube video with even more twirls and details:

Until next time,

Happy Sewing,

Crystal